Tips for Unifying a Senior’s Care Team

How to Help a Senior’s Caregiving Team Work Together

Many seniors rely on the care and support of multiple people. This type of community is important, but can also be a problem if everyone isn’t working in sync. Use these strategies to work as a team.

Why It’s Important to Stay in Sync
Excellent caregiving can reduce some of the risks seniors face, but if a caregiving team is out of sync, risks can actually increase:

  • Medications can get mixed up
  • Stress levels can increase
  • Lapses in scheduling
  • Uncertainty about what tasks were completed
  • Missed appointments
  • Unnoticed symptoms
    (NCBI)

How to Spot a Team-Oriented Caregiving Agency

Not all caregiving services see teamwork the same way. For instance, some agencies require caregivers to use private tracking tools in a way that would make interaction with a senior’s family members tedious. Look for agencies that have:

  1. Existing plans for communication with family members
  2. A proven track record of good reviews from clients and their families
  3. Online portals such as ClearCare’s Family Room to make teamwork efficient and effective
  4. A senior-centered, dignified perspective on care

Ways to Coordinate Care as a Team
Working together to help a senior enjoy life in their own home safely requires organization. Use these tips to coordinate care effectively:

  • Hold regular meetings
  • Agree on communication guidelines like:
    • What are the best times for updates?
    • When is the best time to regularly check in about upcoming needs?
    • Who should be contacted first if there is an emergency?
    • Who is authorized to make what kinds of decisions?
  • Post these communication guidelines so all caregivers can see them
  • Leave an emergency guide and kit for all caregivers to access

One of the most important ways to stay organized is to use an app. Care agencies sometimes offer apps or other tools for communication.
(CDC)

HOME CARE TIP:
Be sure seniors know who is on their caregiving team and when to expect different caregivers to be around. Many seniors appreciate the sense of independence and ability to anticipate who will be helping them.

14 replies
  1. Taylor Hicken
    Taylor Hicken says:

    I liked it when you shared that it is great to work with a reliable home care agency that has a proven track record of good reviews from clients and other families. My friend just mentioned the other day that she is worried about her mother-in-law who is living alone since everyone else is unable to visit her due to the lockdown restriction. I will suggest to her hiring a reputable home care service to look after her mother-in-law.

    Reply
  2. Shawn Miles
    Shawn Miles says:

    Thank you for the comment Taylor. The lock down has been extraordinarily stressful on our senior population and it is indeed important for home care companies to operate as a team with supporting agencies and family.

    Reply
  3. John Carston
    John Carston says:

    It helped when you mentioned that it is important to have excellent caregiving for seniors to prevent unwanted events. A friend of mine mentioned to me last night that she is considering her mother to have senior care and asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article and I’ll be sure to tell him that it will be much better if he consults a trusted senior care agency as they can answer all his inquiries.

    Reply
  4. Jeff Carbine
    Jeff Carbine says:

    I liked it when you said that many seniors rely on the care and support of multiple people. This type of community is important, but can also be a problem if everyone isn’t working in sync. My grandfather is 90 years old, and he doesn’t want to go home for the elderly. That is why we planned to get him home health care services. He will be taken care of from the convenience of his home.

    Reply
  5. Jeff Carbine
    Jeff Carbine says:

    I never knew that excellent caregiving can reduce some of the risks seniors face, but if a caregiving team is out of sync, risks can actually increase. I have no idea about it but now I think I do, it is really a good article, I’ll share this with my aunt. Thank you for the information about senior care services.

    Reply
  6. Rick Jones
    Rick Jones says:

    I agree that helping a senior in their home requires organization. I want my dad to get the care he needs. So I will see what I can do about organizing senior care for him.

    Reply
  7. John
    John says:

    It’s awesome that you talked about the importance of prioritizing the needs and wants of your elderly. A friend mentioned to me last night that he is planning to have companion care for his father asked if I have any idea what is the best option to do. Thanks to this informative article, I’ll be sure to tell him that it will be much better if he consults a home care agency as they can answer all his inquiries.

    Reply
  8. John Carston
    John Carston says:

    My favorite part of this article is the importance of identifying the needs and wants of your elder to prevent mental problems. My aunt mentioned to us that she wants to live in an assisted living community to obtain a happy environment and my cousin asked if I have any idea what is the best option to consider. You did a great job of explaining the importance of consulting a senior assisted living service that can help us to gather more information that will help us be comfortable too.

    Reply
  9. Jeff Carbine
    Jeff Carbine says:

    My favorite part of this article is teamwork is not seen in the same manner by all caring services. Some organizations, for example, demand caregivers to utilize private tracking systems in a way that makes communicating with a senior’s family difficult. Someone recently told me about this it is way different I should pick the best one for my granny. Thanks for helping me understand home care.

    Reply
  10. Braden Bills
    Braden Bills says:

    I want to make sure that my dad gets all the help he needs with his morning routine. It makes sense that at home care would be beneficial. That seems like a good way to ensure that he doesn’t forget to take his medicine.

    Reply
  11. Chris Lesnar
    Chris Lesnar says:

    Thanks for sharing this article! Senior care at home can be a great source for senior home care, information and support as you consider senior independent living in your community

    Nice post!!

    Reply

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