The C [CARE] Team-How to Successfully Orchestrate Care for Aging Parents Today
Effective caregiving requires building a care support team, and tapping into community resources.
The emotional cost and financial cost of caregiving may seem daunting. Having a group of advisors/friends/family to assist is both a challenge and a life saving (literally) blessing. As with any human group endeavor, the initial efforts at organization seem overwhelming. Building a caregiving plan and team is much like conducting an orchestra.
| Item |
Care giving |
Orchestra Conductor |
| Planning |
Develops a list of tasks (plan your work) |
Works from a musical score, (a composition) |
| Significant players |
Safety evaluators, Food and activity, Medical & non-medical, Legal and Financial advisory Spiritual
|
Concert master, String section, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion |
| Other functional support |
Transportation services, social and mental activities |
Ushers, lighting personnel, fundraising, ticket and concession staff |
| Performance |
Dependent on the stamina and fortitude of the principal caregiver orchestrating the service providers |
Dependent on the conductor’s ability to draw out a coordinated artistic effort using the players. |
| Encore call back |
Impossible unless caregiver becomes a care coordinator. Absent a care coordinator viewpoint the caregiver can seriously impair their own health while caring for their loved one. |
The audience applause and acclaim makes an encore possible. The exhilaration which accompanies coordinated effort makes an encore possible. |
More can be achieved through team effort. Caregivers who realize the significance of this difference will see successful results from care team coordination.
- Care team coordination requires significant effort in scouting/research and quality review.
- There should be a written agreement with every care team member clearly showing responsibilities and further providing accountability standards.
- Activate your social network to start the recruiting effort.
- Surf the web for Area Agencies on Aging.
- Find web resources available to caregivers.
The National Family Caregivers Association (www.nfcacares.org) is a great resource and provides direction.
Other caregiver resources include:
www.Sharethecare.org (Share the Care is based in New York City)
www.alz.org (Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline)
www.ec-online.net (Eldercare on-line.net)
www.caregiver.org (Family Caregiver Alliance)
www.eldercare.gov (Federal Government Eldercare resource area on this federal government website)
http://ageinplace.com (Aging in Place)