By Heidi Brown, MSW, ACSW, CMC
Aging Life Care Professionals, also known as Geriatric Care Managers, are experts in the field of aging well. They help seniors and their families navigate the challenges of aging and make positive, informed decisions about care. Aging Life Care Managers are strategic planners and have a holistic approach to aging with key knowledge areas that include crisis intervention, housing, health and mental heath, advocacy, family, legal, financial, and local resources.
These professionals, usually nurses or social workers, are trained and certified in senior care. They act as advocates and guides for family members who want to ensure their loved ones are in the best hands and they reduce the stressors experienced by seniors as they tackle the complexities of aging.
For caregivers juggling jobs and family responsibilities and seniors paralyzed by the stress of “what am and I supposed to do”, the aging life care manager can offer a more efficient, healthy path forward , reducing anxiety that causes distress or that interferes with everyday activities. Care Managers provide answers in time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality of care and an optimal life of those they love, reducing worry and pressure. The individual’s independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed.
Aging Life Care Professionals become the “coach” and families or clients the “team captain” offering expertise and peace of mind.
How Care Managers can help
Health and Disability. From physical problems to mental health and dementia-related problems, care managers interact with the health care system effectively and frequently. They centralize medications and diagnoses, attend doctor appointments and facilitate communication between physician, client, and family. They help determine types of services – such as home health and hospice- that are right for a client and assist in engaging and monitoring these services.
Financial. Services may include reviewing or overseeing bill paying or consulting with a clients accountant, Power or Attorney, or Guardian.
Housing. Assist families and clients evaluate and select appropriate levels of housing or residential options.
Families. Help families adjust, cope and problem-solve around long-distance and in-home care giving, addressing care concerns, internal conflicts and differences of opinion about long-term care planning.
Local Resources. Evaluate local resources and know how services are accessed.
Advocacy. Care Managers are strong and effective advocates for clients and their families, promoting the client’s wishes with health care and other providers, ensuring the client’s needs are being optimally addressed.
Legal. Refer to legal experts like elder law attorneys, estate planners, and Powers of Attorney.
Crisis Intervention. Offer crisis intervention when it is needed, helping clients navigate through emergency departments and hospitalizations, rehabilitation stays, and ensuring that adequate care is available to the client. For families that live at a distance, this can be a much needed 24/7 emergency contact.
Aging Life Care services are offered in a variety of settings and provide:
• Personal and compassionate service – focusing on the individuals wants and needs.
• Accessibility – care is typically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Continuity of care – communications are coordinated between family members, doctors and other professionals, and service providers.
• Cost containment – inappropriate placements, duplication of services and unnecessary hospitalizations can be avoided.
• Quality control – Aging Life Care services follow ALCA’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
Source: www.aginglifecare.org