When it becomes clear that an aging parent needs caregiving, it’s uncharted territory for adult children. Ideally, brothers and sisters rally together to recognize a parent’s needs and challenges, make plans to address them and volunteer for essential caregiving tasks. But it doesn’t always work out that way.

Adult siblings may have clashing ideas about how much care a parent needs and who should provide it. They may have different perspectives on what their own roles should entail. Individual brothers or sisters may step up to take on caregiving responsibilities while others step back. In many families, sibling caregiving roles are never explicitly discussed.

Below, family caregiving experts share insights and tips on how adult children can join together to take care of their parents as best as possible – and avoid emotional pitfalls that strain and damage sibling relationships.