Caregiving as an Only Child

Read time: 11 minutes

There’s a particular kind of loneliness that comes with being an only child caring for an aging parent. It’s not just the logistics and time management – it’s knowing there’s no sibling to call when the decision gets hard, no one to split the driving or share the emotional weight. Just you carrying all the responsibility.

If caregiving as an only child is your reality, you’re not alone in the experience, even if the role itself can feel completely isolating.

The Weight of Being the Only One

Only-child caregivers often describe a sense of inevitability – of course it would fall to them. 

That certainty can make it harder to ask for help, take a break, or admit that things are getting unmanageable. Unlike families where siblings disagree on care decisions, only children often have full decision-making authority – which sounds like a relief until you realize it means carrying full responsibility, too.  In addition, some may be dealing with resistant parents, or have estranged relationships with them.  

The emotional labour is real. Grief, guilt, and burnout show up early and often, especially when a parent’s needs are complex or escalating.

Practical Steps That Make a Difference

Caregiving as an only child, doesn’t mean you have to do everything yourself – even if it sometimes feels like you do. A few strategies that help:

• Build a circle of support.
  • Friends, neighbours, faith communities, and community volunteers can all play a role. Accepting help is smart caregiving.  Co-workers who are also dealing with similar issues may be able to provide tips and learnings.  Enquire whether your workplace has an ERG (employee resource group) for family caregivers. 
• Explore formal home care options.
  • Publicly funded home care in BC is coordinated through BC Home & Community Care. Contact your regional health authority to request a care needs assessment for your parent.  If budget is not a big issue, private-pay home care is quicker to set up and often results in a more consistent caregiver being available.
• Look into respite care.
  • Short-term relief for caregivers is available through the Caregiver Support Program offered through BC’s health authorities, including options for in-home respite and short-term residential stays. Respite care is also available through private-pay caregivers.
• Connect with other caregivers.
  • Family Caregivers of BC is an excellent provincial resource offering education, peer support, and a caregiver helpline at 1-877-520-3267 — available Monday to Friday.
• Access the BC Caregiver Support Line. For immediate support, BC 211 connects caregivers to community services, financial supports, and local resources across the province — available 24/7 by dialing 2-1-1.
• Don’t overlook your own mental health.
  • Therapy, peer support groups, and online caregiver communities can provide a much-needed outlet when you’re carrying it all.

Getting the Right Help in Place

One of the hardest parts of solo caregiving is coordinating the practical pieces – and doing it entirely on your own. myCareBase was built specifically for this. As a B.C.-based platform, myCareBase connects families with pre-vetted caregivers and a range of support services all in one place. Our care advisors help match you with the right fit based on your parent’s specific needs, location, and schedule, with a 95% caregiver match success rate. Not sure where to start? Our free care assessment helps identify the right level of support across five key areas of senior living.

Planning Ahead Reduces Crisis Moments

One of the most valuable things an only-child caregiver can do is get ahead of decisions before they become urgent. Have honest conversations about housing preferences, care wishes, and finances while your parent is still able to participate. Get their legal affairs in order by making sure they have an update power of attorney, healthcare representation agreement and will.  The more you document and plan now, the fewer impossible choices you’ll face later. The myCareBase Family Caregiver Hub has guides and checklists to help with exactly this.

You Deserve Support Too

Caregiving is meaningful work – and it’s hard work. Whether you’re just starting to navigate your parent’s changing needs or you’re deep in the caregiving journey, you don’t have to figure it out alone.

Take the free myCareBase care assessment → | Call: 1-877-822-7464