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Issue Date: March 23, 2008
Sibling caregivers need help, too
I told my parents that I would take care of my mentally challenged older sibling after they passed away. Can you tell me what sort of resources are available for sibling caregivers?
M.C., Ohio
Reach out to family members and friends.
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This is an issue that I, too, will tackle in the near future. And we are not alone. Some 44 million Americans provide unpaid assistance to an adult, according to a study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP.
The fact is that few employers offer caregiver benefits, and the Family and Medical Leave Act only allows a 12-week leave from your job, but it's unpaid. What's more, "Many caregivers are passed up for raises, promotions or bonus assignments because it's obvious to employers that they do not have the time or the energy to focus on their jobs," says Carol Marak of WorkingCaregiver.com.
My advice: Take action now. Find out what kind of provisions your parents have made in their will. Be direct about how they can help you care for your sibling. Look into securing a long-term care insurance policy, and speak to a lawyer about acquiring guardianship rights. Reach out to family members and friends for help. Also, many excellent caregiving resources are available online, like the National Family Caregiver Support Program's website and WorkingCaregiver.com.
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