Care Team Ministry ...“Doing what a friend would do”
Care Team Ministry is built on a vision to help churches and civic groups more effectively carry out their ministry to these individuals.
The program's team-oriented structure helps the church to provide coordinated and consistent care. It's the team that's key: each team member receives the support and encouragement of every other team member...and no single member need feel overly burdened.
Team-Centered Care
To establish a care team, Josephine works with the members of an interested church to form and train a team. Each team is led by a lay team leader and supported by the church's pastor. The team works together to identify and assess care recipients, called "care partners," and then organizes schedules to provide care and assistance as needed.
Care team members make a commitment to calling, visiting, writing, or performing other activities within their comfort level. Each month, care team members meet to review their caring ministries. Through these team meetings, members provide each other with valuable feedback, support and encouragement.
As the team goes about its work, Josephine provides training and support free of charge. Each new team receives a comprehensive orientation from Josephine staff covering such important topics as setting boundaries, communication, and team building.
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Josephine Staff at |
The ministry of the teams is further supported by Josephine's skilled staff, who provide regular training sessions, again at no cost to congregations, covering dementia care, stroke, aging, grief, loss and other issues the team members may encounter.
Sharing successes and challenges on a regular basis not only improves the quality of care a team is able to provide, but helps to establish deep bonds of fellowship among the care team members. Many Care Team members say that this has been one of the most valuable rewards of their care team experience. Josephine's Care Team Coordinator, is always available to answer questions.
What Care Teams can do:
Provide assistance to individuals and married couples suffering from ill health.
Relieve a homebound patient's principal caregiver to allow that person to shop, go to church, or just have some free time.
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"Menders"
from Salem Lutheran |
Assist with gardening, light housework and home repair.
Provide transportation to medical or other appointments.
Read to people or helping them write letters.
Bring occasional nutritious meals or treats for those for whom cooking is difficult.
Visit, telephone and just "being there," providing a little joy.
The benefits of Care Team Ministry:
Intergenerational teams of children, their parents, and grandparents can share their unique spirit and love.
Congregations come alive as they see the impact of their ministry within the community.
Caregivers, and the people they serve, discover the joys of giving and receiving.
