Circle of Care

The circle of care is the group of people involved in supporting someone — family, friends, clinicians, and caregivers — and the boundaries around what each layer needs to know and do.

The Model

A clear circle of care improves communication and prevents one person from carrying everything alone. Use the model below to map who belongs in each layer for your own situation, and what should flow inward and outward between them.

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Loved One

The central individual around whom the care network forms. All actions, plans, and boundary layers should protect dignity, comfort, safety, and personal autonomy.

→ Flowing Outward: Personal values, preferences, and care wishes should flow outward clearly to trusted advocates and care teams.

← Flowing Inward: Safety, comfort, dignity, and emotionally grounded support should flow inward toward the loved one.

This panel updates as you click any ring, the center, or the red oval in the diagram below — or pick a layer with the buttons here.

Select a layer

Click to see what flows in and out of the Community CircleCommunityClick to see what flows in and out of the Extended CircleExtendedClick to see what flows in and out of the Inner CircleInnerClick to see what flows in and out for the Loved OneLoved OneClick to see how the circle of care handles people kept outside itOutsidethe Circle

The selected layer is highlighted and described in the panel above.

Giving Credit

The Circle of Care framework on this page is informed by INELDA's End-of-Life Doula training.

The inward/outward flow language is adapted from End-of-Life University, Ep. 549: The Dying Team. This episode includes Anna Byrne's reflections connected to The Last Caravan and the end-of-life journey of Mary Morgan.

Not sure how to start the conversation with the people in your circle?

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