Care Teams Standing the Test of Time
April 13, 2026
Caregivers and volunteers join the Care Teams Program for Caregiver Respite at Full Life Care for varying reasons, but what often develops is a deep connection forged by a willingness to commit. Care Teams requires a couple of simple time commitments from volunteers: 4 hours per month for 12 months supporting an unpaid family Caregiver in need of respite. These increments of time are committed by the volunteer to the Caregiver and Care Recipient they are matched with, and for the most part, without fail, volunteers accomplish this goal. And often, without any fanfare, they far exceed this goal!
One Caregiver (Pat) bravely joined Full Life’s Care Team Program practically at its inception in early 2022 and was assigned one of the first trained volunteer Care Teams (Connie, Eve and Suzanne). That Care Team rounded the obligatory one-year mark and didn’t waiver, they are still supporting the Caregiver and have even added a fourth team member (Kate — at the Caregiver’s request) to the anticipation of celebrating their four-year anniversary in April with the couple! Caregiver Pat shares, “We love our very helpful care team. We could not do this without them!” 
Caregiver Alexia joined the Care Teams program in December of 2022 in hopes of finding social support for her mom while she continued working and maintaining the household. One of the volunteers on her original team, Mercy, is still supporting Alexia and her mom Dot. Mercy shares about her experience, “Volunteering with Alexia and Dot through Full Life Care has been a wonderful experience. Spending time with them and helping out when needed has brought me a great sense of fulfillment. They truly have become like family over the past few years and I appreciate the effervescent warmth they bring to every situation.” As Alexia’s Care Team evolved through the years, a handful of other volunteers supported them for other periods of time (Nick and Ellen being two of those). Volunteer Nick knew to bring Dot’s favorite candies when visiting, while volunteer Ellen visits every other Friday evening to work on crosswords and talk about life. 
Caregiver Marc sought support in June of 2023, recognizing that his mom, Cheryl also needed social support, and he needed time for himself and his added obligations. One member of that original Care Team, Morghan continues to support Marc joined by volunteer Zu in December of 2023 and most recently volunteer Desiree in February 2026. The volunteers gather at Cheryl’s dining table for their favorite activity, playing Uno together while enjoying a shared meal. Sometimes teams evolve as volunteers’ lives change, but the connection with the Care Participants goes beyond a volunteer commitment, to deep and lasting friendship. 
Care Teams volunteers come from all walks of life, but they seem to have one thing in common, a willingness to give of themselves. For this and so many other reasons we wish to share our appreciation to the dedicated volunteers of Care Teams and Full Life’s Volunteer programs. Those who have given many years of service and those who have just begun. Volunteer Suzanne (from the original team supporting Caregiver Pat) shares advice to those thinking of volunteering, “You should just do it because there’s so much to get out of it, and this world just needs more people who are willing to be a friend first.” The Care Teams volunteer program is supported by funding from the King County Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy. For more information and the opportunity to make a difference in the life of a Caregiver and the person they care for, visit https://fulllifecare.org/services/care-teams/care-teams-volunteers/