6 Great Strategies for Speaking to Siblings About Aging Parents
In this blog, we will take a look at 6 great ways to discuss an aging parent’s needs with siblings and other family members in a fashion that is constructive and respectful for everyone.
For many adult children, providing care for an aging parent can be a challenging process. Communication among siblings is critical to ensure that a parent is getting the care they need. Sometimes, these conversations can be difficult, and are often complicated by the presence of intense emotions.
In this blog, we will take a look at 6 great ways to discuss an aging parent’s needs with siblings and other family members in a fashion that is constructive and respectful for everyone.
Hold a Meeting
Many families lead busy lives, and it can be difficult for everyone to get together at the same time. Schedule a meeting that all your siblings and other concerned family members can attend.
It is best to hold such a meeting in person, if possible. Prepare all participants by letting them know what the topic will be. If it is not practical for some family members to meet in person, technology tools such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams can be a great help.
Understand Your Parent’s Wishes Ahead of Time
Before a family meeting takes place, be sure to understand what your mom or dad wants with regard to the care they receive. Do they want to stay in their own home, or live in a Senior Living community? What other needs or concerns do they have?
Having a firm grasp of this information will be invaluable when discussing a care plan with other family members.
Inform Everyone of Your Loved One’s Current Situation
Usually, in most families, there are people who are more involved with a parent’s care than others are. When you have your family meeting, it is important to let everyone know what day-to-day life is like for mom or dad.
Give examples of the type of care they need, or challenges that take place on a daily basis. The more information you can provide, the better able family members are able to provide assistance.
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Keep the Ultimate Goal at the Forefront
Family discussions about caring for older parents can get emotionally charged, which often causes the effectiveness of communication to break down. As you speak to your siblings or family members about your mom or dad, regularly remind everyone that the goal of the discussion is to provide the best and most suitable care for them possible.
Keeping the objective of the family meeting well in mind will help maximize the chances for a positive outcome.
Listen & Avoid Unproductive Behavior
There is no perfect method for discussing the difficult topic of how to best care for an aging parent. Listening to each other respectfully is one of the most important things to do, as it helps everyone feel that they are being heard. When people feel respected and acknowledged, they tend to be much more cooperative and amiable.
It is equally crucial for each person involved in the discussion to avoid behavior that is counterproductive, such as arguing or creating other types of tension. Keep focused on the goal and issues at hand, not the emotional dynamics among family members.
Ask for Help
If you or several other family members are the primary caregivers for your parent, don’t be shy about directly asking for help from other relatives. Many people are more willing to assist if they clearly understand what is being asked of them.
Frontier Senior Living is Here to Help
Navigating the care needs of an aging parent can be challenging and stressful for many families.
By holding family meetings, fully understanding your parent’s wishes, informing every one of your loved one’s present circumstances, keeping your parent’s well-being in mind as the ultimate goal, listening to each other and avoiding unproductive behavior, and asking for help, families are in the best position to provide the best care possible for their loved one.
The compassionate and experienced staff at Frontier has helped many families find the perfect Senior Living community to meet their loved one’s exact needs. If you would like to learn more about our services, we cordially invite you to visit one of our communities, take a tour, and speak with our wonderful staff.
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201 Northwest 78th Street Vancouver, Washington 98665 (360) 803-4546 Levels of Care:Assisted Living
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14370 Southeast Oregon Trail Drive Clackamas, Oregon 97015 (971) 233-4006 Levels of Care:Assisted Living
