Geriatric care managers are professionals in assisting the older adult and their families make informed decisions regarding personal care needs. They work closely with the older adult to formulate a plan of care that is individualized to meet their unique needs. Geriatric care managers help develop a plan of care that is acceptable to all involved.
Geriatric Care Managers determine what services are needed and match them with services that are available in your communities. They can help implement the plan of care and help monitor it¹s effectiveness or can turn it over to the older adult and their family to manage.
WHY use a Geriatric Care Manager?
Geriatric care managers can be a quality of life saver because they help explore all alternative that are acceptable to the older adult. Geriatric care managers work in the best interests of the older adult, as well as acting as an advocate for the older adult whenever possible. Their main focus is on the older adult, but they work with families to find alternative that are acceptable to all.
WHEN is Geriatric Care Management needed?
Geriatric care management can be beneficial at various points in an older adult’s life. When an older adult’s functional, emotional, social or spiritual ability is of a concern either to the older adult or the family, geriatric care managers can help.
Geriatric care managers can help when families live at a distance from their loved one, by having someone local monitor for any changes, this can not only ease the mind of the family but of the older adult. Geriatric care management can provide early intervention and prevention through regular visits that include holistic assessments of the older adult.
Geriatric care managers are experts in helping make care decisions based on an extensive assessment of the older adults needs, we can help keep the older adult in the least restrictive setting possible, that fosters independence and self respect. They also provide long and short term support to the older adult and their families.
Services to look for when locating a Geriatric Care Manager
GCM’s should be health care professional Conduct care-planning to identify problems and needed services
Screen, arrange and monitor in-home help
Review medical, legal or financial issues and offer referrals to geriatric specialists
Act as a liaison to families
Provide consumer education and advocacy
Act as guardian and Power of Attorney
Offer support to the older adult and the families
Accompany to doctor appointments to ensure understanding of medication or treatment changes
Provide crisis prevention and intervention
Many other services within a Registered Nurse¹s scope of practice
Monitor and advocate to ensure that needs are being met appropriately and that no changes are needed to the plan of care.
HOW does one pay for Geriatric Care Management Services?
Charges are usually based on an hourly fee. A written contract may be signed by all parties explaining the billing process. When signing any contract you should ask any questions so that you have a complete understanding of what services are being offered. You may also want to check if your “LTC” long-term-care insurance or supplementary insurance has any progvisions as well.
General Care Managers goal should be to keep the older adult in the least restrictive enviroment possible to meet their needs; by bringing services to the older adult rather than bringing the older adult to the services. Sometimes more restrictive settings are needed but when this is the situation, facilities should be recommended that have a good record for quality care.
Copyrighted by Sheri D. Fanning, RN,C
