Siblings may struggle to care for aging parents as a team
For some siblings, working together to care for aging parents can be difficult or seem nearly impossible.
Important and difficult caregiving decisions must be made, but old rivalries can flare up during discussions and prevent progress.
Emotions and past issues can get in the way of making practical care decisions and end-of-life plans.
These deep-seated conflicts make life unpleasant for everyone involved.
And when a parent is ailing and may have limited time left, it becomes even more necessary to resolve these disagreements.
One solution is to hire an elder mediator.
Elder mediation does cost money, but it may be well worth it if it helps your family agree on a course of action and work together to care for your older adult.
We explain what elder mediation is, how it can help siblings move past conflicts and work together in their parent’s best interest, and where to find a mediator.
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Elder mediation helps adult children get on the same page
Elder mediators help families resolve conflicts and find solutions that everyone can accept.
Sometimes, having an unbiased 3rd party involved is the only way to reach a decision when siblings have been getting nowhere trying to talk to (or yell at) each other for weeks, months, or even years.
An elder mediator is a professional who is trained in conflict resolution. Sometimes they’re also attorneys or therapists.
They meet with adult siblings and the parents (if that’s possible) to help the family sort out unresolved issues relating to caring for Mom and Dad.
The mediator works to defuse the situation and keep everyone focused on the common goal – agreeing on the best possible outcome for their parent and to preserve family relationships.
Everyone gets a chance to talk and problem-solve to reach an agreement.
In some situations, an elder law attorney, financial planner, hired caregiver, or geriatric care manager may also attend to provide their expertise.
What causes siblings to argue and disagree about caregiving?
Almost 40% of adult children who cared for a parent said they had major conflict with a sibling.
These conflicts can come from issues like:
Disagreements about money
Old debates about who mom liked best
Different opinions on housing or medical treatments
Who has taken on the most responsibility
Why some siblings aren’t doing their fair share of work
Another issue is that each sibling may think their solution is the only “right” solution.
“Most of the time siblings want what’s best for the parents. They just look at it in a different way,” said Susanne Terry, an elder mediator. “Our goal is to help them figure out what their common interests are, so they can work together to find solutions.”
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How long does elder mediation take?
Elder mediation isn’t like therapy or counseling, where you discuss and work out deep problems for months or years.
Mediation is more focused on what needs to be done right now.
The mediator helps keep the conversation moving and makes sure everyone gets heard. Typically, families only need a few sessions.
“I help them make family decisions they can all live with,” says Janet Mitchell, a lawyer and mediator. “I help to bring out their better selves so they can focus on the parent or the continuation of the family.”
How to find an elder mediator
The Academy of Professional Family Mediators (APFM) recommends that you approach hiring a mediator like you would any other professional like a lawyer, care manager, or financial planner.
Generally, you should ask about the mediator’s:
Background, education and training
Experience or knowledge in mediating the type of case you have
How much they charge and how the fees are typically divided among participants
Membership in APFM and other professional associations
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By DailyCaring Editorial Team Image: Windward Life Care
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