Family Caregiver Tools - Planning A Family Meeting

Family Caregiver Tools:Planning A Family Meeting

Nobody can predict the future, but there are ways to be moreprepared for whatever is in store. And almost nothing is morecrucial in times of family crisis than having the family supportsystem ready to act.

Often times in these situations, the responsibility is taken on by onefamily member, or the "matriarch." But this can be a lot for one personto take on, so the importance of asking for help is crucial.CareTogether™ is a Website informed by and built for familycaregivers that gives families the tools to not only ask for help, but alsoorganize these efforts.

It is a free and secure online care manager geared toward helping theupwards of 50 million family caregivers nationwide to organize andwork with friends and family to deliver all aspects of care throughscheduling, messaging, task lists and resources, all so that the familycaregiver can ensure they have all the support they need to provide thebest care possible for their loved one(s).

CareTogether™ allows families to create a free, private page witheverything they need to manage the care of their loved one. Familycaregivers can add other family members to their "care team" to helpmanage appointments, delegate tasks, post updates and more - allfrom one platform.

Features of CareTogether• Easy scheduling and custom task manager• Journaling and photo sharing• Post updates to popular social networks• 24/7 access to live professionals in your loved one’s communitySo whats the first step for mobilizing family members to help takeaction? Family meetings are a great tool - they can help familycaregivers to delegate tasks and rally support around a loved one incrisis.The Society of Certified Senior Advisors (CSA) has outlined someguidelines for planning a family meeting:

Include all the core family members. Ideally, have everyone gettogether in-person. If (a) family member(s) cannot be presentphysically, have a conference call so that they are part of theconversation. If you will be discussing the fate of a loved one, itmay be best not to have them present at the first meeting (toensure other family members can discuss this very important topicopenly without fear that they will hurt or scare the loved one).

Select a comfortable, neutral and private location for the meeting.Make sure you find a place in which everyone can feel at ease.Also, anticipate that the meeting could get heated, so privacy iskey.Establish the main purpose of the meeting and set a short agenda.This will help your family stay on-task and organized in addressing(the) major issue(s) rather than seek to solve every possible issuein just one meeting.

Collect and share information. Surf the Web, check out theResources within your CareTogether™ page - gather information toensure everyone has the same working knowledge of your lovedones condition(s) and/or disease(s).If you dont feel comfortable managing the meeting, bring in amediator. Consider enlisting or hiring someone more comfortablewith the mediator role.

If you or someone you know need(s) help managing the care of a lovedone, visit www.care-together.com to view a demo of this great new toolto see how it can help your family. Or, register for your ownCareTogether™ page right away (its FREE).

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Family Caregiver Tools - Planning A Family Meeting

by BrightStar Care on May 16, 2011

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