Frequently Asked Questions

A Geriatric Care Manager is a specialist who assists older adults to

• Identify solutions to needs
• Provide connection to appropriate resources
• Coordinate and manage all aspects of care

A Geriatric Care Manager is trained in a field related to long-term care including, but not limited to

• Nursing
• Social work
• Gerontology
• Psychology

They typically have a specialization in the field of geriatrics.

Elder Care Planning

• Comprehensive Initial Assessment
  • History & physical, environment, medications, social, abilities, wishes
• Provide written plan of care
• Guidance with implementing plan of care – step by step through resolution

• Conduct comprehensive assessments to identify areas of need
• Develop an individualized plan of care
• Oversee all aspects of the care plan to ensure timely and thorough execution
• Provide ongoing coordination of all services
• Coordinate health care appointments
• Manage medications
• Provide crisis intervention and act as liaison to families at a distance
• Review financial, legal or medical concerns to offer referrals to specialists or avert problems and conserve assets
• Assistance with long-term care insurance claims
• Assistance with moving older adult to/from retirement communities, care home or nursing home
• Screen, arrange and oversee in-home personal attendants

• Immediate assistance with crisis intervention
• Counseling and support to individual and family
• Personalized care designed to meet the individualized needs of the individual and family
• Cost - management: care managers strive to reduce inappropriate use and overuse of services
• Highly trained, offer peace of mind so you can be at ease

When an adult is faced with decreased capacity to function due to complications of aging, illness, disability, altered cognitive status and/or a loss of social support systems

• Geriatric Care Managers provide assistance when time and stress in providing care for a family member ay conflict with the caregiver’s work, family or other obligations. Care Management can be an essential link in the chain to assist long distance caregivers
• Short-term/long-term support for clients and caregivers may be needed to assist in decision-making and problem-solving life issues such as:
  • Changes in physical or mental status
  • Chronic illness
  • Grief and loss
  • Retirement
  • Widowhood
  • Relocation
  • Family conflict
  • Care for a family member

• Medical history
• Functional abilities
• Create baseline (roadmap)
• Home safety evaluation
• Support network
• Community resources
• Seeing person in natural environment versus an office setting

• What are your professional credentials
• Can you provide me with references
• What is your availability in emergencies
• How and how often will you communicate information
• What resources do you have at your disposal should a crisis arise
• How comprehensive is the assessment you provide / do you provide a written report
• Do you accompany clients to medical appointments
• How do you provide, screen and coordinate home care for your clients
• What is your knowledge of professional resources

• Most geriatric care managers provide private care management on a fee for service basis, but you will want to ask ahead of time about billing fees
• There is usually an hourly rate for care management services
• Fees are stated in written form and approved by the person accepting responsibility for payment prior to initiation of services

• They can help you plan effectively for the future and assist in avoiding a crisis
• They can arrange for services to be delivered in an older adult’s home rather than requiring a costly move to a retirement or nursing facility
• Because Care Managers are aware of both the needs of the older adults and the available resources, they can be efficient in matching service needs with appropriate agencies