Building a Care Team for Your Loved One
Effective caregiving rarely happens alone. Building a care team—a network of people who share the responsibility—improves outcomes for your loved one and prevents burnout for you.
Who Should Be on the Care Team?
Healthcare Professionals
- Primary care physician
- Specialists (cardiologist, neurologist, etc.)
- Pharmacist
- Home health nurse
- Physical/occupational therapist
Family Members
- Primary caregiver
- Secondary caregivers (siblings, cousins)
- Long-distance family members (for coordination/support)
- Spouse/partner of caregivers
Community Support
- Neighbors
- Church/community group members
- Friends of your loved one
- Senior center staff
Professional Services
- Home health aides
- Meal delivery services
- Transportation services
- Adult day program staff
Building Your Team: A Checklist
Step 1: Assess Needs
- What tasks require daily help?
- What tasks require weekly help?
- What emergencies need backup plans?
- What skills are needed (medical, physical, emotional)?
Step 2: Identify Resources
- Who in the family can help?
- What professional services are available?
- What community resources exist?
- What technology can assist?
Step 3: Assign Roles
- Designate a primary care coordinator
- Assign specific tasks to specific people
- Create backup plans for each role
- Establish communication protocols
Step 4: Set Up Communication
- Create a shared contact list
- Set up a group text or messaging app
- Use a shared calendar for appointments
- Consider a care coordination app like CareForMeds
Step 5: Hold Regular Check-ins
- Weekly family updates
- Monthly care team meetings
- Quarterly care plan reviews
- Annual comprehensive assessments
Medication Management Roles
Who Does What?
Pharmacy Coordination
- Primary: ____________
- Backup: ____________
Pill Organizer Preparation
- Primary: ____________
- Backup: ____________
Daily Medication Reminders
- Primary: ____________
- Backup: ____________
Doctor Appointment Attendance
- Primary: ____________
- Backup: ____________
Medication List Maintenance
- Primary: ____________
- Backup: ____________
Communication Best Practices
Do:
- Share updates regularly
- Be specific about concerns
- Express appreciation
- Listen to each other
Don't:
- Assume others know what you know
- Criticize how others help
- Keep concerns to yourself
- Expect perfection
Handling Conflict
Disagreements are normal. When they arise:
- Focus on your loved one's needs
- Listen to understand, not to respond
- Find common ground
- Involve a neutral third party if needed
- Remember you're on the same team
Resources for Care Teams
- Family Caregiver Alliance: caregiver.org
- AARP Caregiving Resource Center
- Aging Life Care Association
- Area Agency on Aging (local)
A strong care team makes caregiving sustainable for everyone involved.