Geriatric Care Manager Specialists Are Essential for Success with Eldercare

RALEIGH, N.C. - Sept. 26, 2013 - PRLog -- Also known as Geriatric Care, Elder Care or Aging Care Managers, a Care Manager Specialist represents a growing trend to help full-time, employed family caregivers provide care for loved ones living close by or needing long-distance care. Care managers are also particularly useful in helping caregivers at home find the right services and cope with their burden.

Below is a partial list of what a care manager or geriatric care specialist might do:

·       Assess the level and type of care needed and develop a care plan

·       Take steps to start the care plan and keep it functioning

·       Make sure care is received in a safe and disability friendly environment

·       Resolve family conflicts and other family issues relating to long term care

·       Become an advocate for the care recipient and the family caregiver

·       Manage care for a loved one for out-of-town families

·       Conduct ongoing assessments to monitor and implement changes in care

·       Oversee and direct care provided at home

·       Coordinate the efforts of key support systems

·       Provide personal counseling

·       Help with Medicaid qualification and application

·       Arrange for services of legal and financial advisors

·       Manage a conservatorship/guardianship for a care recipient

·       Provide assistance with placement in assisted living facilities or nursing homes

·       Monitor the care of a family member in a nursing home or in assisted living

·       Assist with the monitoring of medications

·       Find appropriate solutions to avoid a family crisis

·       Coordinate medical appointments and medical information

·       Provide transportation to medical appointments

·       Assist families in positive decision making

·       Develop long range plans for older loved ones not now needing care

Services from care managers should be something that every family takes advantage of.  Unfortunately, in reality very few families use care managers. Care managers could go a long way towards helping the family find better and more efficient ways of providing care for a loved one. The concept is simple. The family hires a professional adviser to act as a guide through the maze of long term care services and providers. The care manager has been there many times. The family is experiencing it usually for the first time.

Hiring a care manager should be no different than hiring an attorney to help with legal problems or a CPA to help with tax problems. Most people don't attempt to solve legal problems on their own. And the use of professional tax advice can be an invaluable investment. The same is true of using a care manager.

Raleigh Geriatric Care Management: www.rgcmgmt.com or contact Lwatral@rgcmgmt.com.  919-803-8025