As the country ages, many of us will see family members struggle with memory, mobility or other age associated challenges. At some point, it will be the first time we’ve had to assist a family member with basic needs at home, complicated doctors’ assessments, sticky legal situations and more. Where does one begin to clarify the chaos in our aging world? Why not try a geriatric care management?
What is Geriatric Care Management?
According to the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers it is “the process of planning and coordinating the care of the elderly and disabled to improve their quality of life and maintain their independence for as long as possible.” (source) A geriatric care manager is someone who is specially trained to accomplish those things.
Geriatric Care Managers offer assistance in a variety of settings and should provide the following:
- Cohesive communication by being a link between families, doctors, service providers and other professionals.
- Cost oversight by avoiding unnecessary or duplicate services and inappropriate placement.
- Access by providing assistance 24/7.
- Personalized care by assisting the individual and their families on a personal level. (source)
Geriatric care managers must have completed higher education and a certification process. Top certification courses teach counseling and Elder Home Care professionals who are ready for a more specialized career. Their new learning will have specific focus on communicating with patients and family members, conducting client interviews, addressing dementia and depression, monitoring patient care and handling legal and ethical issues from patient cases. (source)
When starting this type of care for a loved you, it’s helpful to know that it usually begins with a full assessment of a loved one’s needs, both physical and psychological. The managemer can then encompass planning for the patient’s needs for housing, social programs and home care along with legal and financial matters.
If you are interested in finding out more about choosing a geriatric care manager, click here. The page provides questions to ask when selecting a care manager.
If you live in the Southeast then check out Family Private Care’s locations page to see if there are providers near you or contact them for a referral to a high-quality Geriatric Care Manager.
Remember, you are not alone. Find the right professional and the overwhelmed feelings will relent. You’ll be free to simply love your loved one.
