As your loved ones get older, life’s everyday tasks can become increasingly challenging for them to accomplish on their own. Over 50 million adults in the United States are caregivers for older family and friends. This work is physically, emotionally, and financially draining for everyone involved. One impactful way families can support the elderly adults in their lives is to enlist the help of a geriatric care manager.
What is a geriatric care manager?
A geriatric care manager (or aging life care professional) is usually a licensed social worker who specializes in providing support for older adults and their families. They help seniors and their families identify needs, create a care plan, and coordinate doctors, service providers, and community resources. They monitor the services older adults receive to ensure that they are getting the help they need.
Broadly, geriatric care managers help seniors and their families navigate the complexities of getting older—such as coordinating multiple doctor appointments, managing insurance benefits, or simply making sure bills are paid.
What services do geriatric care managers provide?
Geriatric care involves planning, monitoring and managing a variety of services for older adults, including:
- Creating a personalized care plan to improve senior quality of life
- Evaluating service providers, insurance, and benefits
- Providing referrals to other geriatric care specialists
- Coordinating medical appointments and transportation
- Connecting seniors and families with community, state and federal programs that can help with quality of life and financial support
- Evaluate housing options that meet their physical and social needs
- Provide emotional support and crisis management
Geriatric care managers may also offer home care, opportunities for socializing, and other related services. Their role is to advocate for elderly adults and their families and then to monitor and make sure their needs are met.
What is the difference between a geriatric care manager and a home health care provider?
A home health care provider, such as a nurse, directly helps seniors with medication, bathing, eating, dressing and other personal and medical needs. A geriatric care manager, on the other hand, coordinates a senior’s care plan, and connects them with providers like home health care, specialists, and community resources. The care manager might even be the person who refers a family to a nearby home health care company (like The Senior Company) that can provide hands-on services.
When do I know it’s time to hire a geriatric care manager?
If you are a caretaker for an older adult, it’s important to consider when caretaking becomes too much for you to handle alone. There are several signs it might be time to enlist a geriatric care manager:
- You and other caregivers live far away
- Family conflict
- The older adult is refusing help
- There’s confusion about care options
- You are unsure what community, state or federal programs are available for your elderly loved one
- The older adult needs a more informed advocate
Geriatric care management exists to help you navigate these challenges and provide your loved one with the care they need.
How do I find geriatric care management for my loved one?
Geriatric Care management services are one of the many types of elder care we provide at The Senior Company. Through Mint Care Management, we support seniors and their families by:
- Helping with home organization
- Making sure bills are paid
- Coordinating transportation to medical appointments
- Evaluating insurance providers and plans
- Providing referrals to additional services and programs
- Finding the right living situation
- Communicating with families to keep them fully informed
When things feel overwhelming, Mint Care Management is here to bring that additional level of support. In addition, if or when it’s time for your loved one to receive additional care services at home, join a senior living community, or receive care through the hospital or hospice, The Senior Company provides those specialists as well. Working with us means there’s one less barrier between your loved one and the help they need.
Fill out our contact form or give us a call at (201) 355-5209 today.
