| Even if you can't be there for your dad 24/7, | | | | on be even ideal elder care solutions. |
| you can still be an important part of your family's | | | | 4. Offer financial support - Even in the best of |
| elder care solution. Here are 6 ways to support a | | | | circumstances, caring for an aging parent can take |
| sibling who is caring for an aging parent: | | | | a financial toll on any household. What if the house |
| 1. Hire respite care - Caring for an aging parent is | | | | needs to be modified for wheelchair access? |
| more than a fulltime job-it's a 24/7 undertaking. | | | | What if Grandpa requires care that's not covered |
| Your sister may need to help Dad with bathing or | | | | by an insurance plan? One way to become part |
| personal care. For her, elder care solutions might | | | | of your family's elder care solutions is by giving up |
| also mean she wakes up at 4 a.m. to help him to | | | | some green. Of course, you could write a check |
| the bathroom. Chronic stress has been linked to | | | | to be used towards care, but also consider giving |
| high blood pressure, a weakened immune system, | | | | gift cards for gas, groceries, or clothing. It can |
| persistent lower back pain, and blood clots. It can | | | | also be helpful to cover the cost of those little |
| also make the symptoms of conditions like | | | | things that make life more enjoyable for Dad, |
| asthma or rheumatoid arthritis worse. Help | | | | such as a subscription to his favorite community |
| preserve your sibling's sanity and health by | | | | newspaper or the tab for his weekly lunch with |
| providing regular breaks. Ask a mature teenager | | | | an old pal. |
| in your family to sit with Grandma for a few | | | | 5. Just be there - Do you cringe every time your |
| hours or volunteer to take Mom to a movie and | | | | sister-in-law lets loose about the crazy things |
| dinner. | | | | Grandpa says? Talking about these things can be |
| 2. Help locate resources -Dealing with medications, | | | | an important stress relief for those caring for an |
| doctor appointments, and health care claims can | | | | aging parent. Become part of your family's elder |
| be overwhelming for even the most organized | | | | care solutions; instead of closing your ears, listen |
| caregiver. Your sibling does not need to be | | | | to her concerns and allow her to let off some |
| charged with caring for an aging parent alone. Find | | | | steam. |
| local resources that can help your sibling navigate | | | | 6. Be alert - Caregiving is stressful. In fact, |
| elder care solutions. Make sure the caregiver | | | | research shows that depression is a common |
| knows how to contact the local aging agency, | | | | condition among long-term care providers. Be on |
| where he or she can find recommendations for | | | | the lookout for signs of stress in a sibling who is |
| senior day care programs, respite care, or case | | | | caring for an aging parent. If the sibling who lives |
| management. | | | | with elderly parents is constantly cranky or |
| 3. Rally the troops - If your loved one is caring | | | | jumpy, easily frustrated, or quick to anger, it |
| for an aging parent, it may be up to you to rally | | | | might be time to talk to them about dialing down |
| the support system. For instance, if you see your | | | | the stress level. Exercise, meditation, and writing |
| sister is overwhelmed by the responsibility of | | | | are all great ways to lower stress levels. |
| caring for both your mom as well as her own | | | | Even though you might not be caring for aging |
| children, take the initiative and call a family | | | | parents yourself, you can make yourself a |
| meeting. It's an ideal time to update family | | | | valuable part of your family's elder care solutions. |
| members on how your parent and the caregiver | | | | Use these strategies to start making a difference |
| are handling the situation. If possible, ask for | | | | today. |
| volunteers to alleviate some of the strain brought | | | | |