By Shirley Jennett
Professional Geriatric Care Management
provides for short-term or ongoing assistance
for seniors and their local or long-distance
caregivers. Services are specifically tailored
to meet the clients’ wants and needs and
to provide for continuity of care and conservation
of time, energy and financial resources. On-going
monitoring can prevent costly crises and unnecessary
hospitalizations.
Geriatric Care Managers are professionals
who specialize in assisting older adults and
their families with long-term care arrangements.
They have training in gerontology, social work,
nursing or counseling. Their goal is to empower
the older adult to maintain their independence
and dignity while assisting them and their family
members with problem solving and access to resources.
They are familiar with, and have the ability
to maneuver through the maze of health care systems
and service providers. They are committed to
assisting seniors to continue to live in their
own homes and communities as independently and
as safely as possible.
Geriatric Care Managers conduct
assessments to identify needs and determine appropriate
services and resources. The assessment includes
physical health, cognitive screening, functional
ability, support systems, environmental safety,
financial resources, and legal issues. They function
as a liaison between other service providers
and local and long-distance family members and
act as eyes and ears, arms and legs for the long-distance
caregiver. A Care Manager acts as an advocate
for the senior and can assist the client and
family to make informed decisions regarding care
options and safety. They monitor medications
and provide assistance with alternative placement
when appropriate. They assist in identifying
need for and obtaining other support services,
such as: in-home assistance with activities of
daily living, meals, adaptive and safety products
for limited mobility, eyesight or hearing, home
maintenance and repair, assistance with bill
paying, insurance claims and transportation.
Our population of Americans over
the age of 65 is growing rapidly. Increasing
numbers of us are being faced with issues regarding
our own or our loved ones’ declining abilities
to manage daily living activities, make decisions,
or handle financial affairs. There may be a sudden
and unexpected need for assistance, such as an
injury, illness or surgical procedure triggering
a need for immediate personal care; but often,
there are gradually increasing signs of declining
ability to maintain independent livelihood. Increased
forgetfulness, or no longer recognizing the importance
of paying bills, keeping appointments, taking
medications, turning off water faucets or the
stove are common occurrences. There may be incidence
of more frequent falls, other accidents, and
evidence of poor hygiene, nutrition, or becoming
a victim of frequent door to door telephone or
mail solicitations. Failing eyesight or hearing
can contribute to lessened ability to maintain
the usual activities of daily living. Other contributing
factors may be deteriorating memory or general
physical agility, poor nutritional status, depression
or decreasing ability to think and reason due
to dementia or any one or more disease processes.
There may be a need for an advocate in a long-term
care facility to insure that promises made are
promises kept, regarding care and services.
Often, we are caught unprepared
for these eventualities and are less than fully
informed about the choices and resources available
to us. We are probably all familiar with nursing
homes and assisted living facilities, but what
if our loved one prefers to continue to live
in his, or her, own home and neighborhood? Fewer
of us may be informed about the available choice
of supervised, in-home personal care, household
services and professional care management.
We are likely, also, to be unprepared
for the considerable time, energy and financial
costs of care-giving. Costs toward the end of
life are known to be the highest of all medical
expenses during our lifetime. The cost of caring
for an elderly family member in terms of dollars,
as well as time and energy, is extremely high.
Medicare and Medicare supplements do not pay
for custodial care. Most eldercare is provided
by family members who are responsible for coordinating
the care, including physician appointments, transportation
and monitoring medications. Many of these caregivers
are employed and some must quit their jobs to
provide this care.
Care management can help to maintain
the highest quality of life and independence
possible for the aging adult and relieve the
stress on the family caregiver. Care Managers
are available on a 24 hour, 7-day-a-week basis
at fees which generally range from $75.00 to
$150.00 per hour. Most Long-term Care (previously
known as Nursing Home) insurance will cover a
portion of the cost of in-home personal care,
or for care in a nursing home or a qualified
assisted living facility.
Where do you find a Professional
Geriatric Care Manager? Generally, they are listed
in the Senior Services section in the local Yellow
Pages or through the National Association of
Professional Geriatric Care Managers. A directory
of about a thousand members throughout the country
is maintained, which includes address, phone
and fax numbers. The Association was formed in
1985 and has developed criteria, standards and
guidelines for members. Information may be obtained
by contacting the National Association of Geriatric
Care Managers at: 1604 North Country Club Road,
Tucson, Arizona 85716-3102, phone, 520-881-8008
or accessing their web page at: www.caremanager.org
Shirley Jennett, R.N., is a member
of the National Association of Professional Geriatric
Care Managers and is president of Care Management & Resources,
Inc., a local company providing high quality Professional
Geriatric Care Management and companion services
for seniors in the Denver area. She can be reached
at 303-639-5455.
