The aging of parents is a natural stage of life, but it can be overwhelming in some cases for the children, especially if with aging they lose some physical or cognitive faculties that make the person require more attention or cannot live independently.
Most families face internal conflicts when it comes to caring for their elderly parents, these conflicts being quite tense and exhausting. It is important to remember that, although every family is unique, there are some strategies that can help manage the challenges that arise when caring for aging parents.
Do children have an obligation to care for their parents?
The first challenge that siblings face is establishing who will take care of their parents. In some cases, one sibling takes full responsibility for care, while in others, siblings take turns caring for their parents. In any case, it is important that clear roles and responsibilities are established to avoid tension between siblings.
In addition to establishing roles and responsibilities, it is also important for siblings to communicate their expectations and needs. This means that they should talk openly about their personal limitations and needs, as well as the expectations they have for their parents’ care. Open and transparent communication can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.
Another common challenge siblings face is how to finance parental care. Caring for elderly parents can be expensive, especially if need to hire aprofessional caregiveror if along-term care homeis required. In some cases, siblings may contribute funds to help finance their parents’ care. In other cases, they may need to seek outside financial assistance, such as grants or loans.
Caring for elderly parents can also be emotionally draining for siblings. It is common to feel overwhelmed and stressed by the situation, especially if parental care is prolonged or requires constant attention. It is important for siblings to take care of themselves and take time to take care of their mental as well as emotional health. This may includeseeking emotional support from friends and family, as well as seeking respite care services to take a break.
Sometimes conflicts between siblings can be caused by old grudges or resentments that have built up over time. In these cases, it is important that siblings work to overcome their differences and prioritize the well-being of their parents. This may require family therapy or the intervention of a professional mediator.
Where to request help to care for an elderly relative?
If you need help caring for a family member in Spain, there are several options available. Below are some of the ways you can get help in our country:
- Social services: You can contact social services in your community or city, which offer support to older people and their caregivers. These services may offer advice, information about available resources, care services, financial assistance, among others.
- Patient associations: There are several associations and organizations that offer support to caregivers and patients in different areas of health. You can search online to find an organization that focuses on your family member’s specific illness or condition.
- Private care services: You can hire a private caregiver to help care for your family member. There are several companies that offer home care services, such as help with personal hygiene, medication management, feeding, and daily care.
- Social Security: If a family member needs regular medical care, you can request a dependency evaluation through Social Security. If the application is approved, the family member may have access to a variety of services, such as home help, day care, and other health care services.
- City Halls: City councils also offer help and support services for older people and their caregivers, such as active aging workshops or activities to promote social participation and integration.
Help for the family
Caring for seniors can often be overwhelming for any family member. For this reason, you must keep in mind that there are different types of aid or services that you can obtain in Spain.
For example, those people who have the obligation to care for parents because they do not have sufficient resources or means to hire private help, can access help for dependency.
To request dependency aid in Spain for older people, the following steps must be followed:
- Dependency evaluation: The first phase of the process is to carry out an evaluation of the dependency situation of the elderly person. This evaluation is carried out by a technical team from Social Services or by specialized medical personnel in the event that the elderly person has an illness or disability. The evaluation will determine the degree of dependency of the person and what type of help is necessary.
- Request for aid: Once the evaluation has been carried out, it is necessary to submit a formal application for aid to the agency in the corresponding Autonomous Community. The application can be submitted at any social services center or at the offices of the Institute for the Elderly and Social Services (IMSERSO).
- Documentation required: To submit the request for dependency assistance, it is necessary to provide the necessary documentation, such as the DNI or NIE of the elderly person, a medical report that certifies dependency, and any other documentation that may be relevant, such as reports from social services or health services.
- Resolution of the application: Once the application is submitted, an administrative procedure begins that can last several months. The corresponding Autonomous Community will evaluate the request and issue a resolution, which will establish whether the person has the right to receive help from the agency and what type of help will be granted.
- Provision of aid: Once aid has been granted to the agency, it will be provided. Aid can be of different types, such as home help, telecare, technical help, etc. The type of help will depend on the person’s degree of dependency and their specific needs.
