Feature
Articles - Aging
Sibling relationships and aging parents
Nina Chen, Ph.D., human development specialist, University of Missouri Extension
Adult children play an important role in helping to care for aging parents. The relationships among siblings can influence the help and support given to their aging parents. Sibling closeness can provide positive support for each other and their parents. However, sibling disunity can make it difficult to support parents. Obviously, maintaining a good relationship with your siblings and working together to help your aging parents is critical.
Open communication is the key to keep siblings working together
for their aging parents. Communicate with your siblings with as
much honesty and kindness as possible. Give each other time to
share your own points of view. Using "I-messages" can be helpful
in open communication since it focuses on the individual's own
personal feelings. Avoid using "You-messages" which can create
defensiveness on the part of the person to whom the individual
is speaking.
If your siblings don't include you in helping aging parents, you
should let them know your feelings and concerns. Let your
siblings know you do care and are interested in participating in
the planning process with them and parents.
Family meetings are a good way to have open communication and
help solve conflicts and problems. Family meetings should
include all siblings, their spouses, and other relatives who are
concerned about the older people. All siblings should
participate in making plans and providing support to aging
parents. It is important to include a brother or sister who is
difficult or argumentative, or never visits or doesn't seem to
care as much as the brothers or sisters who provide emotional
support. This can help avoid conflicts and arguments later.
Resource:
Isbell, L., & Schmall, V. Brothers, sisters and aging parents,
University of Missouri Extension (Guidesheet6747).
Last update: Thursday, October 25, 2007
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