Have you assembled a support team? It’s possible you haven’t considered it or are unsure of its relevance. Many look at a support or care team like they would caregivers coming into the home, but it’s more than that. Your support team can be a circle of family and friends rallying together to offer aid when necessary. The reality is, you can’t predict when you’ll require a support system or community to stand by you during tough times, but there will likely come a time when you can’t do life alone.
Why is a Care Team or Community Important?
Having a care team or community is essential for navigating life’s unexpected challenges. Let’s explore some scenarios where having support can make a significant difference:
- Injury: If you fall and suspect you’ve sprained your ankle or broken a bone, do you have someone who can take you to urgent care?
- Hospitalization: If your spouse is admitted to the hospital, is there someone you can call to help gather personal items or communicate with family and friends?
- Health Emergencies: If you experience health issues and drive yourself to the ER, but are admitted for tests, do you have someone to look after your pets?
- Major Surgery: If you break your hip, do you have a friend or family member who can bring you meals or pick up your medications?
- Critical Illness: If a parent or spouse becomes critically ill, how will you manage the emotional, physical, and financial aspects of their care?
These scenarios illustrate the importance of having a reliable support network to help you through difficult times.
How to Build a Support Team
Pause and reflect on the individuals in your life. Make a mental or physical list of those you connect with over the course of the month or engage with on a regular basis. This could include family, friends, coworkers, or people in a social or support group. Ask yourself, are they reliable? Would they be there when you need help? Is there a balanced sense of give and take in your relationship or do they add drama and are concerned about their own world?
By asking yourself some simple questions, you can gain clarity on which relationships are worth investing in. While it’s not necessary to immediately sever ties with a person who may not appear fully supportive, it is valuable to evaluate the extent of time and energy you wish to put into that relationship.
Take the time to carefully consider your team members, selecting individuals who share common interests, values, and a commitment to mutual support. Your team does not need to always be socially active together, although it is an added benefit if they know each other. When faced with challenges, a team acquainted with one another serves as a supportive network, ready to aid in various ways. This becomes particularly beneficial during times of illness or recovery, as an ideal team would step up to provide meals or offer the support you need during this season of your life.
Do you want to learn more about building your support team? We dive into this topic and offer a checklist to help you build a support team in chapter 6 of our FREE Aging Made Easier ebook. Download it here.
