May is National Geriatric Care Managers Month, a time when we honor those professionals who help families find the best solutions for the complex problem of managing the care of a loved one who is experiencing changes due to aging or medical challenges.
Geriatric Care Managers provide expertise and answers to families at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance and advocacy leads families to actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love.
What Is Professional Geriatric Care Management?
It is the process of planning and coordinating the care of the elderly and disabled to improve their quality of life and maintain their independence for as long as possible. Health and psychological care are integrated with the best possible combination of services such as: housing, home care services, socialization programs, financial and legal planning.
A care plan tailored for each individual’s circumstances is prepared after a comprehensive assessment. The care plan is modified when necessary, based on the professional geriatric care manager’s monitoring of the effectiveness of the components of the care plan.
Geriatric Care Managers don’t typically provide hands-on care; they help families hire and supervise in-home caregivers or shop for a senior-living community.
How Do I Find A Geriatric Care Manager?
The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) is an organization of practitioners whose goal is the advancement of expert assistance to the elderly and their families. NAPGCM is committed to maximizing the independence and autonomy of elders and strives to ensure the highest quality and most cost-effective health and human services.
Complete Care Strategies recognizes that each client and each situation are unique. Our Care Managers are matched to your needs.
Do I Really Need A Professional Geriatric Care Manager?
When you are considering the need for a Geriatric Care Manager, evaluate whether you have the time, inclination, or skills to manage the challenges of geriatric care by yourself. Consider whether the problems that you or your loved ones are facing are becoming larger and more complex than you can comfortably manage. Are your other demands and responsibilities now so great that you are not able to provide the desired level of supervision and attention to your loved one’s problems?
Complete Care Strategies honors these professionals for their personalized and compassionate service, their accessibility and their quality control. We applaud these professional geriatric care managers for their honesty, diligence and accountability in the provision of services. They act in a manner that is consistent with the professional values of integrity, loyalty and responsibility. They respect their clients’ rights and dignity. A professional geriatric care manager behaves in a just and fair way in all professional and business relationships. A professional geriatric care manager does not promote or sanction any form of discrimination.
When the care of an aging or disabled family member becomes overwhelming, it is time to consider the help of an expert.
Lois Young-Tulin
Lois Young-Tulin, PhD, is an Assistant Geriatric Care Manager at Complete Care Strategies