Managing all the care needs for someone can truly become a full-time job. Geriatric Care Management provides a solution for those who simply do not have the time to provide for all the care management themselves.
Reasons for hiring a Geriatric Care Manager
- Adult Children who are short on time because they are still raising their own children (Sandwich Generation) and maintaining full-time jobs
- Adult Children who do not live near their parents
- Siblings who want to avoid disagreements connected to one of them acting as the Care Manager
- Seniors who do not want their children to be responsible for their care
- Seniors who do not have any family members available to manage their care
- Seniors who have multiple medical conditions and need a professional to help navigate the best care solutions
- Seniors who find it easier to communicate with a non-family member due to emotional issues or memory loss
Geriatric Care Management Overview
Minimum Hours: A Geriatric Care Manager may be hired for a one-time assessment of an individual to determine their care needs and coordinate a plan of care or for on-going services. Usually there is a flat-fee for the initial assessment which is charged by the hour and 1 to 3 hours may be needed.
Cost: Between $60 and $120 per hour typically, depending on your location.
Schedule: Geriatric Care Managers will meet with a client one time or on an on-going schedule to keep care on track and to accompany the senior to doctor appointments or other necessary appointments, such as visiting potential care communities.
Credentials: Registered Nurses (R.N.), Licensed Counselors of Social Work (LCSW), and Counselors of Psychology and sometimes Attorneys.
Certifications: Certification requires education qualifications (nursing, counseling, gerontology) and supervision, work experience, written exams and ongoing continuing education to maintain the certificate. Following are the 4 certifications currently offered.
- Care Manager Certified (CMC)
- Certified Case Manager (CCM)
- Certified Social Worker Case Manager (C-SWCM)
- Certified Advanced Social Worker in Case Management (C-ASWCM)
Services Offered include Evaluation of:
- Medical Care Needs
- Caregiving Needs
- Home Safety
- Medications
- Nutrition
- Hygiene
- Mental Anxiety or Depression
- Financial Requirements
- Insurances
- Socialization
Plan of Care Includes:
- Arrangement of Care Services
- Coordination and Communication of Medical Care
- Liaison between Family and Legal, Medical and Financial Providers
- Connection to Community Resources
- Assistance with Residential Placement or Relocation
- Management of Care Providers (Caregivers or Caregiving Agency)
Benefits:
- Provides Third-party to take out the emotional issues which may complicate care when family members are the care managers
- Local manager to maintain accountability for care when children do not live nearby
- Professional coordination and communication between all care service providers
- Professional feedback on medical care
- Advocate to interact with medical professionals during hospitalization or rehabilitation
