A GUIDE TO THE TRANSITION NETWORK’S CARING COLLABORATIVE
(For printable versions, click here:  Guide   Guide ) 

Click on the links below to go directly to that section.

I.    What We Offer Each Other

II.   Getting Help

III.  Neighborhood ZIP Groups

IV.  Keeping Track through the Time Bank

V.   Confidentiality - The Keystone of All Transactions

VI.   A Few “Don’ts” When Offering Help

VII.  We Are Not An Emergency Service

VIII. The Caring Collaborative’s Services and Medical Information Exchange

IX.   Caring Collaborative Online Health/Wellness Resource Directory

I. What We Offer Each Other
As members of the Caring Collaborative we offer a network of assistance to help each other when short-term medical problems arise.  Some of us offer practical help, such as grocery shopping, bringing food, pet care, and picking up prescriptions.  Other examples of what our members may do for each other include:  picking you up after a medical procedure, such as a colonoscopy or outpatient surgery; taking notes at a doctor’s appointment; bringing you home after a hospital stay; and, offering companionship during an illness.

In addition, some of our members who have encountered specific medical conditions—either themselves or as caretakers—stand ready to discuss, on a confidential basis, their experiences in dealing with these conditions, with a member who has received a similar diagnosis.  Members share the names of health care providers who have been helpful to them—from oncologists to urologists, acupuncturists and home health aides.

II. Getting Help
For assistance or if you want to discuss a medical problem with a member, contact Marie Constantin, Caring Collaborative Coordinator.

Phone: 646-823-6231  Email:  marie@thetransitionnetwork.org

The Project Manager, together with you, will estimate the time required for the task, and try to find an appropriate member who can respond to your needs. The selected volunteer will be given your name, email address and telephone number. Then the volunteer will call or email you (whichever you prefer) to discuss how she can help you—and when.  

If you are requesting services, you should be as specific as possible about the number of hours that you will need.  Similarly, if you are volunteering services, you must be clear about your boundaries and availability.  If a Caring Collaborative assignment appears to demand more time than a volunteer has available, she should contact the Time Bank Manager so a team of volunteers can be assembled to share the task.  

III. Neighborhood ZIP Groups
Since it is much easier to shop for someone, pick up a prescription, walk her dog, or just visit, if she lives nearby, we have formed small groups of Caring Collaborative members based on where people live, their ZIP codes—called ZIP Groups for short.

• Belonging to a ZIP group is optional.
• ZIP Groups are open to all Caring Collaborative members.
• ZIP Group members will generally get together periodically—maybe every few months or so— and get to know each other over time. This will make it easier--and more comfortable--to ask for and give help when someone needs it.

IV. Keeping Track through the Time Bank
TTN members are characterized by their determined independence; typically they do not like to ask people for help. But through the give and take of a Time Bank, members know that they will be both providers of service and helped in time of need. Through the Time Bank, members track hours they have both given and received.

Members are expected to e-mail the Project Manager once the exchange of information or services has taken place.  Each hour of service provided and received will be recorded in the Time Bank.  This feedback is critical for the success of the Caring Collaborative.

V. Confidentiality - The Keystone of All Transactions
Confidentiality is critical.  Participants must not discuss the medical or personal situations of members they assist. While we expect no one to deliberately disclose confidential or private information, our concern is with disclosures that happen by accident. “Julie can’t come to the meeting; she has a doctor’s appointment,” or “You should see Julie’s collection of ceramic cows.”

VI. A Few “Don’ts” When Offering Help
When talking about a medical condition you have experienced, the mantra is, “I’m only an expert on my own situation.” Your role is to relate the details of your own experience; do not attempt to educate or guide a member with knowledge you have acquired along the way. Even a casual suggestion to take an aspirin can be dangerous; it could result in internal bleeding. Further, we caution against relating horror stories that will only add to the member’s vulnerability. So, don’t offer medical advice and, alternatively, don’t ask for medical advice.

Don’t help with medications.  You certainly can remind the member to take her medications, but becoming involved with dosage and timing is potentially harmful. If this kind of help seems to be needed, check the Caring Collaborative online Health/Wellness Resource Directory.

Don’t provide “hands on” personal care such as bathing, bathroom assistance, wound care or massage. If need be, you can suggest care agencies that provide these services.  Again, Check the Caring Collaborative online Health/Wellness Resource Directory.

VII. We Are Not An Emergency Service
We are not a 24-hour service. Requests for help from members should be made during regular business hours. If you are concerned about crisis situations in the middle of the night you might want to put together a buddy system with several of your friends or members of your peer group who live nearby, or people who live in your building, etc.  In a medical crisis the first move, of course, should be to call 911.

VIII. The Caring Collaborative’s Services and Medical Information Exchange (MIX)
 
The following describes services and medical information offered by members of the Caring Collaborative.  Please note that our membership is still growing and assistance may not yet be available for all conditions or services.

CARING COLLABORATIVE SERVICES
 

MEDICAL INFORMATION EXCHANGE

Information About Illnesses:

The Caring Collaborative maintains a list of members willing to discuss, confidentially, their own experiences with specific conditions within the following categories. Please note that we are developing the database and information may not be available at this time for all conditions.

Cancer	Cardiovascular Diseases
Dental	Endocrine Diseases
Ear, Nose, Throat	Gastrointestinal
Immunology	Mental Health
Neurological Diseases	Ophthalmology
Orthopedics	Sexual/GYN Health
Sleep Disorders	Urological
Medical Specialists: Volunteers will provide the names of outstanding doctors with whom they have had experience. These include:
Anesthesiologist	Lipid disorders specialist
Audiologist	Neurologist
Cardiologist	Oncologist
Chiropractor	Ophthalmologist
Dentist	Orthopedist
Dermatologist	Otolaryngologist
Endocrinologist	Pain specialist
Thyroid specialist	Plastic surgeon
Gastroenterologist	Psychiatrist
Geriatrician	Pulmonologist
Gynecologist	Radiologist
Hematologist	Rehabilitative medicine
Hypertension specialist	Nephrologist
Immunologist	Rheumatologist
Internist	Surgeon
	Urologist
Ancillary specialists
Acupuncturist	Nurse, home care
Fitness specialist	Nutritionist
Geriatric care manager	Physical therapist
Home health aide	Psychologist
Hospice	Skilled nursing facility
Massage therapist
Sources for Medical Devices and Supplies:
Bath/shower aids
Bedroom/comfort aids
Eating/drinking aids
Emergency response devices
Foot/shoe products Health Aids
Low vision devices
Memory enhancers
Walkers/canes
Writing aids

Caring Collaborative Online Health/Wellness Resource Directory

The Caring Collaborative website features an online Health Resource Directory to help you learn more about your medical problem and tap into services you need to assist in your recovery. We list sources for medical devices and supplies, provide links to organizations which are concerned with individual medical conditions (and may themselves have hotlines and support groups). There is advice for choosing a rehabilitation service. There are links to doctor-rating websites, transportation services, the Visiting Nurse Service and other agencies that can help you.  All are organized in one place for your convenience Health/Wellness Resource Directory.

Now it’s time to think about how the Caring Collaborative could be helpful in your own life. For example, someone could accompany you to a medical procedure, pick up a few things for you at the grocery store when you’re ill, or help fill out insurance paperwork.  Don't wait until you are too overwhelmed and exhausted to think about how the Caring Collaborative could help you through tough times.  Remember, reaching out for help when you need it is a sign of personal strength.

Copyright © 2008 TTN Caring Collaborative. All rights reserved.                      Web design by AYSInterprises