Four Tips for When You and Family Members Don’t Agree

As a caregiver, you might run into situations in which you and other family members don’t necessarily agree about what’s set to happen with your senior’s care. This isn’t always a bad thing, though, because it gives you a chance to educate them. It’s when things get heated that there are problems.

Homecare in Riverhead NY: When Family Members Don’t Agree

Keep Your Cool While Disagreeing

One of the worst things that can happen to family members who disagree about caregiving situations is to allow the discussion to get so heated that relationships disintegrate. Do what you can to avoid being baited by digging remarks. You’re there to deal with facts, not to antagonize each other.

Make Sure Everyone Has All the Facts

It’s entirely possible that some of the family members who disagree with you the most don’t necessarily have all the facts. If you’re able to share everything that’s going on with your senior’s health, make sure that you do so. That helps to get everyone on the same page. It’s important to note, though, that some aging adults don’t want to share everything with everyone in the family. Make sure you know what she’s okay with you sharing.

Call a Meeting to Talk Things Through

It helps if you have a formal meeting in order to hash through everything you’re not agreeing on. It’s even better if you can do this before things get out of hand. If your elderly family member doesn’t want to be involved in the meeting, it’s a good idea to leave her with senior care providers so that you can focus on what you’re going to discuss.

Remind Everyone What Your Senior Wants

Your best bet in this situation is to remind everyone of your senior’s goals and wishes. If she has made those pretty clear to this point, then there’s not much that the rest of you can disagree about. This can be difficult for family members to accept sometimes, though, especially if they don’t understand why your senior has made the choices she’s made. If it’s possible, do what you can to explain the reasoning behind the decision.

Everyone doesn’t have to agree, but there does need to be a consensus eventually. You’ll all need to figure out a way to determine who holds the tie-breaking vote, whether that is your senior herself or you as the primary family caregiver. Ultimately, some action will need to be taken and probably sooner rather than later.

If you or an aging loved one is considering hiring Homecare in Riverhead, NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.