One in three adults in the U.S. is an informal family caregiver for someone who is aging or has health issues,¹ equating to 53 million unpaid caregivers.² Providing part-time or full-time assistance to loved ones can be both challenging and stressful.

Building a care team to provide support can help minimize feelings of overwhelm. The skills of the team can be tailored to specific needs, preferences and circumstances of the caregiver and the individual. In addition to providing practical help with caregiving responsibilities, a care team can also increase efficiency and expand options when problem solving.

Care team members often include family members, close friends, neighbors, community organization volunteers or others who may help with day-to-day tasks and emotional support. To the best of their ability, the team should engage the recipient in care that is patient-centered, meeting the specific needs of the person and the family. When possible, include professionals such as the care recipient’s general physician, therapist, and/or social workers who can provide information and suggest care plans.

A care team’s responsibility begins with an assessment of the recipient’s health and needs. From there, the team can set goals for best outcomes on the caregiving journey, and create a plan of care while establishing an effective means of communication with the team, care recipient, family and the treating physician. It is helpful to document the care plan, and to communicate updates so everyone is on the same page. Patient confidentiality must be respected.

Before joining a care team, it is helpful to think through your own feelings about the care recipient and their situation, the kind of help you can provide, what you can do, and how much time you can give. Specific tasks can be delegated including managing medication; transportation and support to doctor visits and physical therapy; tracking legal and financial matters, or offering social or emotional support. The list may include:

Check in, visit and provide meals and food; secure supplemental food services.
Help choose doctors and communicate with them.
Guide the care recipient through the health care system, advocating and monitoring care to ensure safety and clear communication with providers.
Identify and coordinate transportation needs.
Feed and exercise pets.
Identify and manage child care needs.
Sign up for Medical Alert Emergency Response Services.
Interview and secure in-home care providers.
Secure respite care for family relief, or explore residential care facilities when care recipient and family are ready.

Caregiving does not happen when it is convenient for you. Effective teamwork reduces stress and leads to less caretaker complications, better management of chronic conditions and improved outcomes. Team collaboration provides a support network that addresses not only medical needs but also emotional, psychological and social aspects of care. A care team can lighten the load and enhance the quality of life for both caregivers and the person receiving care.

Palm Desert resident Arlene Gotshalk is author of CareGiving Toolkit, a guide she created to assist others after feeling exhausted and frustrated caring for her aging parents and disabled husband. She can be reached at (831) 588.3373 or [email protected].

References: 1) https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/caregiver-stress/art-20044784#:~:text; 2) https://rosalynncarter.org