Ensuring your elderly parent or loved one receives comprehensive, compassionate care is a top priority for caregivers. But assembling an excellent care team for seniors involves more than just choosing the right doctors. Care team building encompasses a wide array of individuals and services that work together to holistically support a senior’s life. From the Uber drivers who bring your loved one to their weekly bridge game to their weekly cleaning professionals and dog walkers, each person in your parent’s life should work towards a shared mission of senior wellness. In this article, we’ll guide you in building a robust care team for seniors that prioritizes the overall wellbeing of your loved one. 

How to establish a care team for seniors 

Care team building can be gradual, and creating a supportive, well-rounded care team for seniors takes time. But that time and effort will be worth it when you see the positive impact on your parent’s life and happiness. So, how do you go about curating an effective care team for seniors? 

1. Identify your parent’s needs.

Begin the care team selection process by identifying your parent’s specific needs, including medical requirements, assistance with daily activities, emotional support, transportation, or home maintenance. Understanding these requirements helps guide you in appropriate care team selection. 

2. Reach out to family members. 

Family members can be a valuable resource in forming the perfect care team for seniors. After determining your parent’s needs, discuss the responsibilities and commitments with your other family members. An open, honest conversation ensures everyone is on the same page, preventing duplication or neglect of caregiving activities. This is also the perfect opportunity to acknowledge gaps in your parent’s care team building so you can hire outside help or services. 

3. Start the care team selection process. 

Now that you understand your parent’s needs, consider who to include in your care team selection. 

1. Caregivers: family and hired help 

Caregivers are the heart of a strong care team for seniors. Whether family caregivers or hired professionals, caregivers provide day-to-day assistance, companionship, medical management, and more. Caregivers also often take on lesser-acknowledged roles like managing finances, supporting their parent’s emotional and social needs, and being the point person for care team building for their loved one. 

Consider hiring professional caregivers when you can’t do it yourself. Professionals and agencies specializing in elder care can be a valuable resource for those seniors living independently, especially those who need daily living or medical assistance. 

2. Healthcare professionals 

Healthcare professionals are an integral part of your care team selection. Consider finding the following types of doctors when care team building: 

• Primary care physicians 
• Geriatricians, who specialize in the prevention and care of older adults
• Specialists for your parent’s health conditions
• Nursing care (part-time or full-time) 
• Physical therapists, who help with mobility and prevent falls 
• Psychologists, who help improve mental health 
• Social workers for those struggling with finances or substance abuse
• Palliative and hospice care teams 
• Nutritionists
• Integrative practitioners like acupuncturists, massage therapists, or functional health doctors 

3. Senior companions 

Loneliness and isolation can have a significant impact on a senior’s mental and emotional health. Combating loneliness starts by ensuring your loved one has companions, including friends, family, or hired help. A robust care team for seniors incorporates and encourages social connections that will improve your parent’s quality of life. 

4. Transportation services

Reliable transportation is essential for seniors living independently. Traveling to social events, medical appointments, grocery stores, gyms, and parks helps to maintain a senior’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing.  

Thousands of caregivers use GoGoGrandparent to provide reliable transportation for their elderly loved ones.GoGoRides provides safe, convenient transportation services, whether to a doctor’s appointment, a social gathering at a friend’s house, or a trip to the mall. And our Family Features and GoGoGuardians give caregivers peace of mind that your parent is being looked after their entire ride. Learn more about GoGoRides here.

5. Nutrition and meal services 

Prioritize proper nutrition by finding a nutritionist who specializes in elder care or your parent’s specific health concerns. The right meal plan can radically transform their diet and overall wellness. 

Meal services help ensure your parent has access to fresh, hot meals. GoGoGourmet is unique in that we help your parent order meals from their favorite local restaurants, but we go the extra mile to ensure the foods meet their dietary needs and preferences. Our GoGoGuardians chat with the restaurant directly to ensure the food is being prepared just the way your parent likes it – and the way their doctor wants it, too.  

We also offer grocery delivery if your parent prefers to cook. GoGoGrocery ensures your loved one always has fresh, nutritious food in the house – without the headache of going to the supermarket. Learn more about our meal services here. 

6. Exercise professionals 

An often overlooked part of care team building is physical fitness. The right exercises can reduce aches and pains, minimize symptoms of chronic illnesses, reduce stress, and even promote longevity.

Finding local gym instructors, senior classes, or one-on-one yoga instructors can be an invaluable asset to a care team for seniors. Check out some of our resources about exercise for seniors below: 

• 9 Tips For Staying Active As You Age
• 7 Daily Exercises for Seniors To Do At Home
• 9 Benefits of Chair Yoga for Seniors
• 7 Best Exercises Seniors Over 70 Should Do Daily 

7. Home care and maintenance 

Ensure a safe, comfortable living space for your parent by making safety modifications to their home. Check out our list of the best home modifications for seniors here. 

Many seniors choose to hire help around the house to make weekly home maintenance easier. GoGoGrandparent serves thousands of home requests daily for landscapers, housekeepers, handymen, dog walkers, and more. GoGo helps you and your parent find trusted, reliable home professionals, evaluated by our GoGoGuardians. In the background, our Guardians monitor your requests, screen professionals, and track activity to ensure the utmost safety and security. Learn more about GoGo’s home services here.  

4. Find the right care team for seniors with networks and technology. 

You’ve figured out who to include on the perfect care team for seniors, but how do you find them? A few places to look for high-quality professionals during the care team selection process include:

• Social networks, such as local community centers, religious groups, social clubs, and online social groups
• Professional agencies, such as healthcare agencies, therapist groups, or local specialists 
• Caregiver support groups, where you and others can share your experiences with local services and care professionals 
• Technology solutions like care coordination apps, virtual meeting platforms, and task-based platform services 
• GoGoGrandparent, which offers services like drivers, home care professionals, and delivery drivers for groceries, takeout, and prescriptions 

5. Consult with your loved one about their care team selection.

The most important step in care team selection is getting your parent’s input. Empowering seniors to actively engage in their care team building will enhance their independence and quality of life, leading to a more successful long-term care team for seniors. Discuss their preferences, activities, and goals to ensure the new care team selection aligns with their values and desires. 

GoGoGrandparent believes in maintaining senior independence whenever possible. Our solutions help your loved ones take control of their lifestyle while giving caregivers peace of mind that their loved ones well-cared for by our GoGoGuardians. You can access our Family Features anytime to help monitor requests, pay for services, chat with operators, and so much more. That means you can feel confident when adding GoGo to your care team.  

Care team building for seniors

Creating a compassionate care team for seniors involves building a support network beyond just healthcare professionals. By incorporating family, caregivers, friends, companions, transportation drivers, nutritionists, meal services, home professionals, and more, you’re working to create a more beautiful and enriching life for your loved one. A strong care team selection takes time but can become the ultimate source of comfort and support for you and your family. 

If you want to add reliable, trustworthy professionals to your care team for seniors, register with GoGoGrandparent for 24/7 access to safe and reliable rides, grocery delivery, takeout, prescription delivery, and home services.