Source: Newswise
With today’s longer lifespans, increasing numbers of adult children find themselves caring for their aging and/or ill parents. Adult siblings frequently work together to manage parental care, and many encounter additional stress and complications because of this new partnership.
In a new study featured in the National Communication Association’s Journal of Applied Communication Research, authors Danielle Halliwell, Kristina A. Wenzel Egan, and Erica L. Howard discuss findings from interviewing 20 adult siblings about their experiences with providing care for their aging parents. The siblings’ caregiving experiences touch on three primary narratives: (in)equity, ideal versus real, and interconnectedness – all highlighting the importance of working together, expressing gratitude to one another, and displaying empathy.