Who Do You Need on Your Caregiving Team?

A primary care physician is usually your loved one’s first contact in the health care system. He or she usually takes responsibility for providing comprehensive care.

A specialist is a physician who focuses on a specific area of medicine. Examples of specialists include oncologists, who treat cancer; endocrinologists, who treat diabetes; and cardiologists, who treat heart disorders.

Nurses play an important role in your loved one’s health. Often, registered nurses will set up plans for care. These members of your care team can also help with wound care, intravenous therapy, administering medications, monitoring the general health of your loved one, and other support.

A physical therapist can create a plan to help the person in your care regain or strengthen use of muscles and joints. An occupational therapist can help your loved one with learning how to perform daily functions, like eating, bathing, and dressing. A speech therapist can help your loved one with impaired speech regain the ability to communicate clearly.

These care team members can provide counseling and locate community resources to help the person in your care in his or her recovery. If coordination of services is required, a social worker will work as your loved one’s case manager.

Aides can help with your loved one’s basic personal needs, such as getting out of bed, walking, bathing, and dressing. They also provide companionship to the person in your care, giving comfort and a little bit of supervision when needed. Home health aides may also help perform household duties for your loved one, if needed.

Dietitians can make an assessment of, and recommendations for, your loved one’s dietary needs.

Home-delivery services, such as Meals on Wheels, provide food for people in their communities who are unable to cook for themselves. Depending on your loved one’s needs, meals can be delivered several times a week.

Medication therapy management, when provided by a pharmacist, promotes collaboration with your loved one, his or her physicians, and other health care providers to help ensure the best care is achieved. The pharmacist reviews prescribed and over-the-counter medications to make sure they are being used correctly and your loved one isn’t being prescribed duplicate medications.

In addition to asking friends and family to help with transportation needs, there are companies that provide transportation for your loved one to and from medical facilities for treatments or appointments.

Psychologists can help patients and caregivers cope with important issues and sources of emotional unrest. Psychiatrists are physicians who specialize in diagnosing and dealing with mental health issues and can prescribe and adjust medication dosages while also providing counseling.

It may be good for your loved one to speak with someone to help with the emotional changes they are experiencing. Speaking with a chaplain, who is a member of the clergy, can help provide support for your loved one.