Care process
Care team
A care team is the group of people who work together to support a person. At home it can include family, paid caregivers, doctors, nurses, therapists and a care manager. Each person has a role, and the group should share information.
Why it matters for your family
A person's care often involves many hands. A family may have a primary care doctor, a home health nurse, a non-medical caregiver and a relative who manages bills. Without a plan, messages get lost. The National Institute on Aging says care managers coordinate services and can help when family members live apart. HomeCare.com says it can build care teams of several caregivers so disruptions are minimal. A common mistake is to leave out the person receiving care. Include them in decisions. Name one lead contact, share phone numbers and agree how to report changes. Use a notebook or an app so notes stay in one place.
Source: nia.nih.gov
Related terms
- Care coordinationCare coordination is the work of organizing a person's care across doctors, caregivers, services and family so the pieces fit together.
- Care planA care plan is a written plan that lists a person's needs, goals, tasks, schedule and who does what.
- Backup caregiverA backup caregiver is a second trained caregiver who can step in when the usual caregiver is sick, late or unavailable.
- Family communicationFamily communication is how relatives share updates, decisions and concerns about a loved one's care.
- Care logA care log is a running record of care that has been given, such as meals, medicine reminders, outings, falls and mood.
- Daily care notesDaily care notes are short written updates a caregiver leaves after each shift.
