6 Tips for Handling Family Conflicts about a Parent’s Care

By 9  am on

Families often find it difficult to care for their senior loved ones. Whether your family disagrees on how to plan for your parent’s long-term care or you just can’t figure out a resolution for scheduling issues, you can use the following tips to resolve your conflicts. 

1. Choose the Right Time to Talk 

Over the years, families develop their own communication habits, and it’s often easier to be snippy with a family member than you would be with a stranger. Try to remind each person to treat each other with respect, and plan family meetings for times when everyone is less likely to overreact. For instance, hosting a family meeting after dinner ensures no one will be cranky because they’re hungry. 

2. Include Your Parent in the Decision 

Sometimes family members get so preoccupied with trying to figure out the best plan for their loved one that they forget to include the most important person. Your parent likely has preferences regarding his or her care, and these should always be put at the top of the list. Make sure to involve your parent in the decision-making process as much as possible. Your parent’s words may be all it takes to make everyone willing to try out an option. 

Your parent’s decision about where he or she wants to live is important. Many seniors prefer aging in place over moving to assisted living facilities. If your senior loved one needs assistance to remain safe and comfortable while living at home, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading home care Phoenix agency. Our dedicated in-home caregivers can assist with meal prep, bathing and grooming, exercise, medication reminders, and many other important tasks.

3. Consult with a Neutral Party

Some family disagreements are best resolved by working with a neutral party. For instance, one sibling may think your parent is perfectly fine, while another is certain your parent needs home care. If this is the case for your family, consider asking a physician for recommendations regarding how to care for your parent. Alternatively, you could have a professional caregiver perform a home safety assessment. With an expert’s opinion in hand, no one can dispute the evidence that your loved one needs help. 

A professional caregiver can help you decide if your parent requires extra care. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of home care service. Phoenix families can rely on Assisting Hands Home Care to provide individualized care plans to meet their elderly loved ones’ unique care needs. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.

4. Identify the True Source of the Conflict

Your family may also be facing other issues that cause you to disagree about your loved one’s care. For instance, one of you may feel as though he or she is doing all the work, while the others think they are as well. Alternatively, one of your family members may be worried about your parent losing his or her independence. Getting down to the true reason someone is being stubborn about planning for your loved one’s care gives you a starting point for addressing the real issues. 

5. Search for a Compromise 

In every disagreement, there’s usually a compromise to be found. Try to find a way to give everyone an opportunity to win. For instance, you could arrange for an in-home caregiver to care for your loved one so no one is overburdened. This option also helps you address concerns someone might have about your parent being forced to move out of his or her home. 

6. Arrange a Trial Period 

Even with a compromise, it’s normal for some members of the family to still be unsure of the new arrangements. Offer to do a trial run of the new care plan to see how it works for a few weeks, then set up a time to review your loved one’s progress. Knowing there’s flexibility with the care plan may help everyone relax, since it can be modified to address your loved one’s changing needs.

When considering elder care, Phoenix, families should make sure their senior loved ones have the resources they need to maintain their independence and remain healthy. Trusted in-home care professionals can assist seniors with daily tasks like cooking, bathing, and exercise, and they can also encourage them to focus on healthier lifestyle habits. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we can create a customized elderly care plan for your loved one. Call 602-847-6549 to learn more about our home care services.