Top 3 Excuses From Siblings Who Don’t Help With Care giving
Unfair as it may seem, even in families of many adult children, one sibling us-ually becomes the primary caregiver for their aging parents. In many families, such as mine, this person is the one who lives the closest to the parents and/or is most suited for the task of caregiving. In my case, it was both. This fact didn’t keep my sister, who lived about 50 miles away, from coming to town nearly every weekend to visit with our parents and help out. However, in some families, this relatively short distance would be enough of an excuse for some siblings to justifying helping minimally and infrequently.
Many caregivers ask how to respond to siblings who, after being directly and distinctly asked for help, either skirt responsibility with excuses or react nastily to the request. The proper response will depend entirely on the sibling and the nature of the family relationship. Let’s look at a few examples and contemplate responses. Perhaps these can inspire other ideas for how to handle your unique circumstances.
Excuse #1: “I Don’t Have the Time”
This is probably the most commonly used reason for not pitching in. While it may seem innocent enough at first, this statement implies that you, the primary caregiver, have all the time in the world.
What many non-caregivers do not understand is that this responsibility can grow from running just a few errands each week into a full-time job in the blink of an eye. Primary care providers often have to quit paying jobs, turn down promotions, and miss their kids’ events, games, and performances in order to be available to care for an aging parent. These caregivers also place their own wellbeing on the back burner to ensure their care recipient, family and career are not neglected. From the outside, it may look as though caregivers have the time, but in most cases, they have made the time—often at great sacrifice.
Having the time is also relative in that caregiving is physically and emotionally a 24/7 job. All caregivers need a break from the constant stress of being the ONE person responsible for everything. Siblings could provide that relief, either in person or by offering to help pay for respite like in-home care or adult day care. When this option is suggested to siblings, some jump on board but many don’t. Those who do not usually offer up excuse number two.
Excuse #2: “I Don’t Have the Money”
Let’s face it, most caregivers “don’t have the money” either. Unless there’s a personal care agreement in place, family caregivers usually don’t get a salary. That not only affects their current financial status but also their future. Caregivers aren’t paying into Social Security if they quit their jobs. Therefore, those of us who have given years to providing care often find our own retirement years woefully underfunded. Yet, many of us stay home from a paying job to care for an elder, thus we appear to “have the money.”
It’s understandable that most long-distance siblings cannot provide regular hands-on care and respite. It’s costly and time consuming to travel, so visits are probably rare. However, there are still ways that family members can contribute from afar. Let’s say you have a brother in a distant state who says he’d be happy to help out financially, but he just doesn’t have the money.
Maybe he’s being honest. But there are nonmonetary ways he can contribute. The key issue here is whether he actually wants to. He can take over some of the bookkeeping tasks that suck time from your day or handle Medicare issues and other health insurance decisions. He can help you research financial assistance programs and potential senior living options. Contributing to smaller purchases and even scheduling a twice weekly phone call with your parent can even be helpful. Internet research and digital communication make it easy for siblings to pitch in, regardless of where they live.
Do your best to suggest ideas and alternatives that “mesh” best with your sibling’s schedule and budget. Getting them to agree to something small initially will make it easier to recruit their help with larger requests as your parent’s care needs increase. Growing frustrated with a brother or sister and making demands may only breed tension and discourage them from getting involved.
Excuse #3: “I Can’t Bear to See Mom/Dad Like That”
This last excuse is very common, especially in situations where a parent has been diagnosed with a progressive illness like dementia. It is undeniably difficult to watch someone you love decline, but it isn’t fair to assume that it is any easier for a caregiver to witness it firsthand. You accompany them to doctor’s appointments, give them their medications and help them with everything, including very intimate activities of daily living.
If anyone knows how painful aging can be, it’s primary caregivers. The first time I took my dad to the bathroom is branded on my brain. I was sick over the thought that he’d find the process humiliating. Thank God, it didn’t seem to bother him, but it was very hard on me. This is what caregivers go through daily. Interestingly enough, many siblings who cite this excuse for not being more involved have not even experienced helping their parents bathe, use the toilet or eat.
Please don’t misunderstand me. Most of us are honored to be able to help our elders through these difficulties. It’s the sadness of coping with their decline that causes our pain, especially when we feel alone in experiencing it. Don’t our siblings understand that we can’t bear to see Mom or Dad like this either? Probably not. Maybe we are just braver than they are. Maybe we are just more dutiful. Maybe we are just, well, put on the spot. Whatever the reason, we step up to the plate and do what is required. If we’re uncomfortable, we do it anyway. Sometimes pointing this out to an uninvolved sibling can get the message across, while other times it can provoke anger and cause them to become defensive. BY CAROL BRADLEY BURSACK, brought to you by Scott Underwood. I am the Reverse Mortgage expert in Birmingham, AL . Call with questions at 205-908-2993.
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