For many siblings, elder care comes as part of a team effort. Typically, there is a captain of the team who takes on the primary caregiver role and responsibility. Other players may take on the role of an offensive line and assist with tasks such as finances or transportation while other siblings may take on more of a spectator role and cheer on the team from the stands.
Finding ways to communicate amongst sibling care team members can be an ongoing struggle in the caregiving process. But with proper preparations, an open and honest line of communication and the help of an outside voice such as an elder care agency using a home care software or home care system, keeping the team in check can be a more manageable task.
Communicate Openly: Feeling like one sibling is keeping secrets from the other can grow resentment and anger. From the beginning of an elder care experience, try to keep an open line of communication with siblings. For those taking on a more hands-off role, let the primary caregiver know that while you're not always directly involved in care, you are also concerned about your parent's wellbeing and talk about what information you'd like to share on a regular basis. If a home care agency is assisting with care, a home care software or home care system like ClearCare Online can help an immense amount in this arena. With features like a Family Room built into an agency's home care software, even family members a world away can access home care schedules, care updates and family to-do calendars via a secure log-in to the home care system.
Family caregiving is a team sport - with other caregivers, elder care agencies using a home care software or home care system and resources from throughout the community. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes the same to help seniors age with grace.
