Caregiving When You’re an Only Child
Without siblings, many decisions about caring for a parent may fall to you.
In case you missed it, Next Avenue featured an article by Gary Stern about the pros and cons of caregivers who are only children. The Caregiver’s Voice was a featured expert.
An only child, [Avadian] notes, “can step up, make the decision and get the work done.” With siblings, sometimes there is strength in numbers and sharing activities. But often “not all siblings agree, and the primary caregiver, who is often female, steps up to take care of mom while other siblings bicker against the primary caregiver.”
When you get together with your parents over the holidays, review the key points covered in Caregiving When You’re an Only Child.
Caregiving topics include watching for signs that a parent needs help, financial resources, the current relationship between parent and child, and isolation of an only child.
While the article focuses on only children, primary caregivers will also benefit. Oftentimes, caregiving responsibilities fall on the shoulders of one family member. The experience is similar to that of only children. There are exceptions such as when siblings intervene to tell the caregiver how to do her job or have issues concerning their inheritance.
There are also families who work together.
Avadian said she has observed a family of ten siblings who cooperate and take turns caring for their parent.
Only children are encouraged to anticipate a parent’s caregiving needs early on. Doing so will prevent crisis in caregiving, which leads to less-than-optimal decision making. Meeting with an attorney to draft or update legal documents such as a power of attorney, will, or even trust will ensure an easier transition to handling a parent’s affairs.
For more information, read: How to Talk about Money with Your Aging Parents
