Collaboration Among Siblings Providing Care for Older Parents

As their parents age, adult siblings must find ways in which to jointly assist in their care. Based on a sample of 40 focus group participants who described caregiving relationships among siblings, this study focused on those who equitably shared in the care of their parents. Findings indicated that siblings distributed caregiving responsibilities by taking turns as well as by caregiver task and/or expertise. Factors associated with sibling collaboration were: redefining the caregiving system, enjoying time together, setting aside time for care planning, and implementing suggestions from aging parents. Practice implications highlight ways in which to facilitate this collaboration.