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Conservators/Trustees Consumer Advocacy
Joining the Bay Area’s Premier Directory for Older Adults with editions covering Alameda, Contro Costa, Napa, Solano, and Sonoma/Marin counties, we are proud to introduce …
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San Mateo County Public
Guardian/Conservatorship Program
smchealth.org/servicesaging-and-adult 800-675-8437 225 37th Ave. San Mateo, CA 94403
Born to Age Peninsula
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consumer advocacy
Better Business Bureau of
San Mateo County
goldengate.bbb.org 866-411-2221
Born to Age Peninsula
borntoage.com 650-504-8549 annamarie@borntoage.com
California Department of ns er airs
dca.ca.gov 800-952-5210
San Mateo County Cons er an a i airs
Smchealth.org/contact/ o ce-consumer-andfamily-a airs 800-388-5189
counseling services
Caminar for Mental Health
(Support services for individuals with mental health disorders) caminar.org 650-372-4080
Christian Counseling Centers San Mateo
christiancounselingcenters.org 650-570-7273
Family Caregiver Alliance
caregiver.org 800-445-8106
HICAP
Self-help for the elderly hicap.org 800-434-0222
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Who They Are and What They Do
BY PATRICIA PLAYER MAXWELL
Formerly referred to as Geriatric Care Managers, Aging LifeCare Associates are “specialized case workers who focus on holistic geriatric care management.
Like a social worker, an Aging LifeCare professional can be an excellent resource for both family caregivers and isolated older adults, providing help and advocacy across a variety of disciplines.”
Aging LifeCare Associates generally, but not always, have a background in nursing, social work, or gerontology. They provide a holistic client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges.
Aging LifeCare Associates provide answers, support and advocacy at times of uncertainty and – in short – peace of mind.
Care Managers become the project manager in the life of the individual needing care and support. They have the ability to fulfill almost all the needs an elder will want in their aging journey.
The LifeCare Associate will also work to find the most cost-effective path to quality care, taking into consideration the client’s insurance and a myriad of other possibly available resources. Care Managers can become a trusted advisor in helping to navigate the intricate web of different needs to provide quality of life in the later years, always mindful of their client’s financial resources and abilities.
There are many Aging LifeCare individuals now in the field. Choosing the
right one is a major concern and should be done with care. You should look for the expertise, relevant experience, and background provided by members of the Aging LifeCare Association. It is always wise to request references, interview more than one candidate, and check out the potential Care Manager’s website.
Good “chemistry” between the client and the one chosen is also key. There is no set cost for the associates’ services, with costs in the greater Bay Area running from a range of $90 an hour to almost $300.
One should also keep in mind that a good Care Manager can help save expensive mistakes when planning and paying for geriatric care. They can provide recommendations for sound, ethical, well-tried resources to do everything from down-sizing, rendering geriatrics-focused medical care, and selecting the residential situation best suited to a client’s needs – be it remaining in home, moving to an independent living facility, or seeking out skilled nursing or memory care.
The associate may also provide in-home support and monitoring of the care and services provided, help with socialization and exer-
cise, and advise or mediate when family conflicts arise.
Hiring an Aging LifeCare Associate should always be accompanied by the signing of a formal agreement clearly delineating the services provided.
You will also have to sign a HIPAA form to allow the Care Manager free access to the client’s medical, dental and medication records. Expect also to provide a list of current medications and dosages, as well as a list of the medical professionals involved with the client’s care. A comprehensive recent medical history will also be required, as will designation of a favored pharmacy.
Good “chemistry” between the client and care giver is key.
For in-home care, the associate will request a safety check done by a qualified professional to determine what changes, if any, are needed to facilitate the client’s care and mobility.
In the case of those with potentially fading memory or capacity capabilities, a professional assessment is often requested. All requests serve to provide know ledgeable, focused and compassionate quality-of-life client care.
Often, too, the Care Manager will recommend individuals or companies provide other necessities, such as gardening, housekeeping and shopping. The manager may even recommend appropriate financial and legal services to help pay bills, structure a trust, or preserve a client’s assets.
Hiring an experienced LifeCare Associate can provide family and friends with peace of mind, knowing the care of their friend or loved one has been entrusted to a compassionate, caring professional.
