Written by Bridget Ritossa, LSW, CMC-Owner Careplan Geriatric Care Managers
What Is a Geriatric Care Manager?
A geriatric care manager (GCM) is usually a licensed nurse or social worker who specializes in wellness and care for older adults. A GCM can help identify needs and find ways to improve the quality of life for all involved. The video below helps explain an aspect of geriatric care management.
When looking for a GCM, make certain they are a member of the Aging Life Care Association as well as hold the credential of advanced professional. Click here to for more information.
Also note the years of experience and where those years of experience have taken place. Likewise, a GCM should have knowledge of Medicare, Medicaid and private insurances.
Careplan’s geriatric care managers have over 20 years of experience individually working in hospitals, rehab, longterm care, assisted living and home. Our medical social worker has lived and worked in Cleveland all her life.
These specially trained professionals can help find resources to make your daily life easier. They will work with you to form a plan of care and find the services you need.
Geriatric care managers can be especially helpful when family members live far apart. GCM’s complete a comprehensive assessment which will identify red flags. In addition, GCM’s then build their plan of care around those identified issues. They will also monitor the older adult in the home in the absence of family. Finally, GCM’s make certain the older adult is getting the right amount of care at the right time.
Geriatric care managers:
- Discuss difficult topics and complex issues
- recommend legal counsel
- Make home visits and suggest needed services
- Address emotional concerns
- Make short- and long-term plans
- Evaluate in-home care needs
- Select care personnel
- Coordinate medical services
- Evaluate other living arrangements
- Provide caregiver stress relief
- Attend physician appointments
- Co-ordinate transportation services
The cost of an initial evaluation varies. Geriatric care managers charge by the hour. Most insurance plans don’t cover these costs, and Medicare does not pay for this service. Some long-term care insurance companies may cover some of the cost.
Finding a Geriatric Care Manager
There are organizations such as ALCA that can help you find a care manager near your family member’s home. In some cases, support groups for diseases related to aging may be able to recommend geriatric care managers who have assisted other families.
When interviewing a geriatric care manager, you might want to ask:
- Are you a licensed certified advanced professional geriatric care manager?
- How long have you been providing care management services?
- Are you available for emergencies around the clock?
- How will you communicate information to me?
- What are your fees? Will you provide information on fees in writing prior to starting services?
- Can you provide references?
In Cleveland contact Careplan Geriatric Care Managers. To learn more about geriatric care managers call the Aging Life Care Association at 1-520-881-8008, or visit its website at https://www.aginglifecare.org