SC Barg
Last time, we talked about the myth of the solo caregiver — and why no one was ever meant to do this alone. Today I want to get specific, because knowing you need a team and actually building one are two very different things. Here's who belongs on yours.
Your Loved One's Medical Team — With You as an Active Member: You are not a bystander in that exam room. You are the person who knows what's actually happening at home. Ask questions. Push back. Advocate clearly.
A Geriatric Care Manager: One of the most underutilized resources in caregiving. They assess needs, coordinate services, and help you plan for what's coming. Ask your loved one's doctor for a referral.
A Social Worker: They know what resources exist in your community and can connect you to services you didn't know were available. If your loved one has been hospitalized, ask to speak with one before discharge.
Respite Care: You cannot be present every hour indefinitely. In-home help, adult day programs, short-term facility stays — respite is not a luxury. It is what keeps you functional.
Other Caregivers: At our Fearless Caregiver Conferences, the most common thing I hear afterward is: I didn't realize how much I needed to be in a room with people who understood. A support group, a conference, even one person who truly gets it — this matters more than most caregivers expect.
One more thing: don't wait to be offered help. Ask for it specifically. Not 'let me know if you need anything' — but 'Could you sit with Dad on Thursday afternoons?' Specific requests get specific results.
You were never supposed to do this alone. Now you don't have to.
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