LIVE WELL (Cont.)
What is a Geriatric Care Manager & Why Credentials Matter
A Geriatric Care Manager, also known as Elder Care or Aging Care Managers, represent a growing trend to help family caregivers provide care for loved ones living close by or living far away. Oftentimes, we see seniors living alone with some or very limited support. Their family may be far away, a spouse may have passed, and friends may not be local or in Manager will help idenwell enough to take over. tify these to help prevent hazards such as falls. There also may be a sceConducted in Person nario where the family Only member involved may be too emotionally drained PATIENT ADVOCACY: and no longer able to Serve as your parent or make the best decisions. loved one’s personal, That is where is care health, and medical care manager can also step in advocate. Conducted Virand offer unbiased suptually or In-Person port as they do not know the senior personally. CRISIS INTERVENTION: When you need it most, Unfortunately, if a senior one of our Care Manhas been living alone agers will be there if a and isolated for too long, crisis were to occur and their mental and even will keep the family inphysical state can begin formed. Conducted Virto decline rapidly. We tually or In-Person have unfortunately witnessed this firsthand as CLINICAL ASSESSa result of the pandemic. MENTS : Loneliness among seniors Our Nurse Care Manager was already an increaswill conduct a head to toe ingly common concern clinical assessment. Conbefore the pandemic, and ducted in Person Only now it has grown astronomically, making it vital MEDICATION MANto check on senior loved AGEMENT: Improper or ones. poor medication manageWhat Can A North Star Cares Geriatric Care Manager Do for Your Family? IN-DEPTH CONSULTATION: A detailed consultation will be performed by one of our Care Managers outlining a tailored care plan. Conducted Virtually or In-Person
ment is the #1 reason for medical complications and re-hospitalizations. Conducted in Person Only
DINATION: Conducted Virtually or In-Person ASSISTANCE, COORDINATION & OVERSIGHT WITH: • Legal Affairs • Financial Affairs (Including Bill Pay) • Insurance Appeals • Downsizing and Move Management • Liaison between care providers including physicians, home health, and private duty THROUGH OUR SENIOR PLACEMENT SERVICE, WE WILL HELP WITH TRANSITIONS TO OR FROM: • Assisted Living • Memory Care • Skilled Care Facilities & Nursing Homes or in-person Why Credentials Matter Unlike medical doctors and registered nurses, a geriatric care manager does not have to have state-level license requirements nor are they regulated.
Many care managers ACCOMPANY YOU start in the healthcare TO APPOINTMENTS: industry, often continuHave a Care Manager ing to keep their certifiaccompany you to your cations in their original appointments and act as field. Or some start out your advocate. Conduct- from the beginning but ed in-Person or Virtually it’s imperative to ask if HOME SAFETY EVALUvia Telehealth. they possess any credenATIONS: There are many tials as well as the type of unrecognized hazards MEDICAL CARE COOR- experience. in the home. Our Care
Two organizations — the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and the National Academy of Certified Case Managers (NACCM) in Tucson — offer certification programs for geriatric care managers. Both organizations require specialized degrees, experience, and successful completion of an examination. At North Star Cares, we understand the importance of employing certified Care managers as our Care Managers are certified as a Care Manager (CMC) along with several years of experience under their belt. We even take it a step further and have Registered Nurses on Staff as well as certify all employees as Certified Dementia Practitioners (CDP). This has been truly beneficial for not only the families we help but also for our Care Managers to have a broader understanding when providing care. Our team of compassionate and experienced care managers will help you through the aging process and ensure your senior loved one is well-taken care of! Learn more about North Star Cares at www. northstarsa.com. There, you can fill out a form to have an experienced care manager call you at your convenience or you may reach us directly at 407796-1582.
