Set up a family Circle in five minutes
If you've been meaning to organise things but haven't found the time, here is the simplest way to start.
The hardest thing about getting organised around an older parent isn't the work. It's starting. There's never quite a good moment, and it always feels like one of those projects you'll do "this weekend" and never quite get to.
Here's what five minutes looks like, if you wanted to actually do it now.
Minute one: pick the people
Who are the three to five people who genuinely help, or would help if asked? Siblings, a partner, a close friend, a neighbour. Not a long list. The people who already turn up.
Write their names down. You don't need to invite them yet.
Minute two: pick one Coordinator
Just one person who'll keep the picture clear. Not the most senior, not the eldest by default. Whoever has the time and isn't going to drift.
Minute three: open Getwello and create the Circle
Sign up at getwello.co.uk, name your Circle (we usually go with the family surname), invite the people on your list. Pick the right role for each — most siblings are Support Members, your loved one is the Check-in Member, the Coordinator is whoever's organising.
If you don't fancy our app, this is the same five minutes in a Google Calendar. The tool isn't the point.
Minute four: set the daily window
Decide when your loved one usually has their morning routine. For most people that's between 8 and 11. That's their daily check-in window. If they don't tap "I'm well" by the end of it, the family gets a gentle ping.
This sounds technical. It's actually one number to pick.
Minute five: drop in the next two weeks of visits
Whatever you already know is happening. Sarah's going Wednesday. You're going Saturday. Doreen comes Tuesday. Put it on the shared calendar.
You'll immediately see the days nobody is planned in. That's the gain. Not because you'll fix them right now, but because now you can.
That's it
Five minutes, and you have:
- A small group of people in the loop
- A Coordinator
- A daily check-in for the person being looked after
- A two-week shared calendar
- A clear picture of where the gaps are
Everything else is improvement. The hard bit was the first five minutes. Start a Circle now if you'd like to.
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Set up a Circle for your family
One tap a day from your loved one. A shared calendar for the rest of you. £4.99 a month for the whole family.
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