Introduction

Care Team Ministry
Replication Education Module

Background on Care Team
   Concept Development
History of Care Team Ministry
Definitions
Description and Parameters
Where Can Care Team Ministry
    Be Established?
How Do Teams Work?
Why Only 1-2 Hours?
Referrals
Calling Volunteers
Risk Management/Background
    Checks
Training
Care Team Established
Support of Volunteers
Ongoing Reporting
Cycle of Care Teams
Lessons Learned
Forming a Care Team Ministry -
    How to Get Started
Orientation for Organizations:
    Step 1, 2, 3
Media Information
Research & Resources
Conclusion and Sending Forth
Care Team Ministry Forms

Care Team Ministry
Volunteer Guidebook

Referrals

Referrals are made to the Care Team Coordinator by neighbors, family members, social workers, pastors and friends who know the senior who needs assistance.

The Care Team Coordinator will then talk with the Care Receiver and the family Caregiver. If the Coordinator is unfamiliar with the Care Receiver or Caregiver, a friendly visit in the Care Receiver’s home is recommended.

The Care Team Ministry program is explained to both Care Receiver (senior) and Caregiver (usually a family member), and the Care Receiver’s particular needs are discussed. The Care Team Coordinator, together with the Caregiver and/or Care Receiver, will arrive at the primary need of the Care Receiver for volunteer support. The Coordinator will then often inquire about any individuals the Care Receiver or Caregiver know, who might be willing to be trained as volunteers on the Care Team. In this way, the Coordinator encourages an approach for finding and facilitating volunteers from the Care Receiver’s/Caregiver’s own circle of friends. Oftentimes a friend just needs to be asked and is quite willing to help—especially if the parameters of the time commitment are only 1-2 hours once a month. The Coordinator will obtain information on the potential volunteers’ telephone numbers and names, and receive the Caregiver’s and Care Receiver’s permission to call these individuals. This process of having the Care Receiver suggest names provides that senior with a sense of control or involvement and helps he/she “take ownership” of the Care Team.