What is a Geriatric Care Manager?
A Geriatric Care Manager can provide needed relief for families whose loved ones require more assistance and services than the family is able to provide. One important role of the Care Manager is the ability to solve problems before they become crises. Care Managers are familiar with community resources that a typical family member may not have the time or expertise to sleuth out. The Care Manager can help in a variety of ways, depending on the individual’s needs. Such help begins with a home assessment to create a customized plan and can include:
- Finding and supervising caregivers
- Medical communication and navigation support: Finding specialists, accompanying clients to doctor’s visits, reporting to adult children if appropriate
- Assessing the housing situation, ensuring a safe living environment
- Finding alternative housing options or living situations and facilitating the move
- Encouraging stimulating activities and participation in social and cultural events
- Ongoing check-ins with client to monitor health and well-being
- Providing families with an experienced second pair of eyes and ears to keep track of the needs and issues of elderly clientele.
Who hires a Care Manager?
- Adult children who live far away or are busy with work and their own children and are unable to provide their parents with the appropriate expertise to help them as they age.
- Spouse of a senior who is in need of support.
- Seniors who have no children and need support.
- Fiduciaries and Conservators, to enable them to fully meet their clients’ needs.
