Geriatric Care Managers Possessing backgrounds typically in nursing, social work, elder care, psychology or counseling, geriatric care managers are qualified health and human services workers who can be hired to offer personalized, holistic assistance and planning for older adults and people with disabilities. These professionals act as advocates and focus on helping you or your loved one stay independent, healthy and safe. Geriatric care managers can be especially helpful for caregivers who don’t live near their loved ones. Working with families and caregivers, they use their expertise to assess, problem-solve, plan and monitor older adults’ living and healthcare situations. Examples of the help they can provide include: • Assessing a loved one’s social, emotional and medical status including problems with memory loss and related dementia. • Interacting with and facilitating communication with a healthcare team.
• Evaluating, recommending and helping coordinate moves to appropriate long-term care housing. • Supporting and helping loved ones and families cope with care options and concerns and helping them reach a consensus about long-term care planning. • Connecting with community resources available for older adults. • Intervening when a crisis occurs such as an emergency room visit and overseeing a hospitalization or rehabilitation stay. • Reviewing and overseeing bill paying, assisting with insurance companies and working with financial advisors and attorneys. The Aging Life Care Association offers more information about geriatric care management as well as an online searchable database for finding a professional in your area at AgingLifeCare.org.
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