|
No matter how close families are or were at one time, individual members change and grow. And their individualism can make it difficult to make decisions when a parent or loved one needs help.
Necessary discussions and decisions, even in the mildest of family strife, can be difficult.
When caregiving decisions need to be made, negative pressures will increase. Siblings divided by age, time or geography may find it very difficult to overcome childhood differences. Many of those differences will resurface under pressures often felt in the caregiving process.
One sibling may assume the role of boss. Another may deny a problem exists. Still another will seek to fill the role of the peacemaker time after time.
In order to offer the best care possible, siblings need to come together and find ways to balance the caregiving load.
Each person may have a caregiving weakness that relates to financial, emotional, physical or geographical reasons. But your job as siblings is to come together, maybe for the first time, to realize one anotherıs strengths and what each person can contribute to make good care possible.
If your parent or loved one is well enough, have him or her participate in the discussion.
Each person should have a role and feel a part of the family caregiving situation.
If a serious family matter exists, such as a problem with alcohol or drug abuse, and a family member cannot take care of his or her share of the load, involve your pastor. You may have to bypass the addicted person in order to give the quality of care needed.
Each family has its own baggage. Itıs how people deal with that baggage and how they work to put aside differences that can impact the quality of care their parent or loved one receives.
|