Who Helps Coordinate Care During a Serious Illness?

When someone is living with a serious illness, care can quickly become complicated.

There may be doctor visits, medications, new symptoms, equipment needs and difficult decisions. Family members may also be trying to keep everyone informed while balancing work, home and caregiving responsibilities.

Care coordination helps bring those pieces together.

What is care coordination?

Care coordination means making sure the people involved in a patient’s care are communicating and working toward the same goals.

Depending on a person’s needs, that may include physicians, nurses, social workers, case managers, pharmacists, therapists and other members of the care team.

These professionals can help families understand the care plan, manage symptoms, communicate changes and connect with additional services when needed.

For patients and families, that can mean fewer unanswered questions and a clearer understanding of what comes next.

Who helps coordinate care?

The answer depends on the type of care a person is receiving.

In hospice care, nurses often serve as a key point of contact and work closely with physicians, social workers, hospice nursing assistants, spiritual care providers and other members of the care team.

Social workers can help families navigate practical concerns, emotional needs and community resources.

Case managers and other care professionals may also help coordinate services between hospitals, physician offices, long-term care communities and home-based providers.

The goal is simple: Families should not have to manage every part of serious illness care on their own.

When should families ask for more support?

You do not have to wait for a crisis.

It may be time to ask about additional support if symptoms are becoming harder to manage, appointments are increasing or caregiving responsibilities feel overwhelming.

Palliative care can provide an added layer of support at any stage of a serious illness. Hospice care may also help when the focus shifts toward comfort and quality of life.

Reserve Care helps patients and families understand their options, coordinate care and find the support that fits their needs.

If you are not sure where to begin, a conversation with a care professional can help you understand what support may be available.