Caring for ageing parents is a very difficult task and can lead to some sensitive situations between siblings as they navigate the process. According to Carers Australia, there are close to 3 million unpaid carers in Australia and almost all primary carers are a family member. Home Instead has developed a guide entitled The 50-50 Rule: Tips for Siblings Caring for Ageing Parents.
“Sharing does not necessarily come easily to siblings. They may have squabbled over toys as kids, household chores in their adolescence and now, in later life, they have to consider how to share the responsibility of caring for Mum and Dad,” says Martin Warner, Founder of Home Instead Senior Care.
Martin Warner has shared his top advice for siblings below:
- Talk to your parents – “It’s crucial to communicate with your parents and understand their needs. Seniors are often fiercely protective of their independence and may even refuse help. However, if they wish to continue living independently at home throughout their elderly years, it may mean they require the assistance of a full-time caregiver.”
- Do your homework – “It’s important for you and your siblings to firstly identify the types of services that your parent needs. There are a variety of organisations and resources available that can help you meet those needs. Both health.gov.au and commcarelink.health.gov.au are good places to start.”
- Plan ahead – “Once you’ve identified your parents’ needs are and explored what the available resources are, you can start planning how to share the load. If a parent wants to remain living at home, it will be important to plan for the years ahead and work out whether the duties can be shared by siblings and whether professional help is required.”
- Be flexible – “Life is fluid and circumstances change. Accept that each of you may not always be able to share the responsibility, and that’s ok. . It is important not to insist that all caregiving tasks be split down the middle. The division of care should take into account the family member’s interests, skills and availability. The needs of your parent/s will also change over time and this needs to be taken into account.”
- Talk to each other – “It’s vital to communicate if you are feeling overwhelmed with the stress of caring for a parent. Carers Australia found that 55% of primary carers spend more than 20 hours a week providing care, which is the equivalent of a second job. If you’re struggling to cope, call a meeting with your sibling/s to discuss how they can assist. They might be able to contribute more hours into caregiving or help with looking into private care support options.”
Cindy Lee knows the importance of sharing the responsibility of care, having experienced it first-hand with her own mother. “Mum spent many years living with my family and she now lives with my sister. It gets harder each year with her mobility decreasing and her memories failing, so I know the job of primary carer isn’t an easy one for my sister, and is in fact much harder for her than it was for me. Mum’s doctors’ visits, exercise, social stimulation and general day-to-day care take up a huge portion of my sister’s week. We have found it vital to keep communication open and I help share some of the care so she can take breaks. The idea of placing Mum in an institution is daunting so finding other solutions is high on our priority list. A guide like The 50-50 Rule is a great resource for siblings navigating the landscape of a new family structure when the parents are no longer able to steer the ship,” says Cindy.
For more information visit www.homeinstead.com.au
