Hi everyone, I’m hoping to hear from people who have experience with schizophrenia in their family, especially siblings or long-term caregivers. My (36f) older brother (he’s 2 years older than me) has schizophrenia. He’s on disability, and right now my mom manages everything…his money, bills, living situation, etc. She even bought an apartment in Florida where he lives with our uncle, who helps keep an eye on him. Lately, it seems like he might be slipping again. In the past, this has happened when he stops taking his medication. He says he’s still taking it, but his texts and behavior are starting to feel… off. It’s hard to explain, but if you’ve seen it before, you probably know what I mean.
My mom is visiting me right now, and last night she asked if, when she passes away, I would take over managing his disability, finances, and basically his care. My immediate answer was yes. He’s my brother. Of course I will. But now that I’m sitting with it, I’m realizing I don’t actually know what that responsibility looks like day-to-day or long-term. I have a husband and a young child, and we live in another state. I want to do right by my brother, but I also want to be realistic and prepared.
Some questions I have:
- What does it actually look like to manage care/finances for an adult sibling with schizophrenia?
- How do you handle it if they refuse medication but insist they’re fine?
- What legal things should I be thinking about now (guardianship, power of attorney, etc.)?
- Is it possible to support someone from a distance, or does this usually require being physically close?
- What do you wish you had known before taking on this role?
I love my brother so much, and when he’s stable, he’s such a thoughtful, kind, funny, interesting person. I just want to be ready for what this responsibility really means.
Any advice, experiences, or even just perspective would mean a lot. Thank you.