Care Management

WHAT IS A PROFESSIONAL GERIATRIC CARE MANAGER?

A Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PGCM) is a health and human services specialist who helps families who are caring for older relatives. The PGCM is trained and experienced in any of several fields related to long-term care, including, but not limited to social work, nursing, gerontology, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care. The PGCM is an experienced guide and resource for families of older adults and others with chronic needs.

DO I REALLY NEED A PROFESSIOANL GERIATRIC CARE MANAGER?

When considering to engage the services of a PGCM, you should evaluate whether you have the time, inclination, or skills to manage the challenges of geriatric care.

QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY WISH TO CONSIDER:

Are the problems that you or your loved ones are facing becoming larger and more complex than you can comfortably manage?

Are 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?

Do you live near your family member to be able to provide direct and ongoing support and advocacy?

Do you have the support of all of your siblings or could you benefit from a professional to help coordinate a family consensus on care issues?

Would your aging family member listen to a professional better than they actually listen to you? (Often parents continue to view their adult children as still being a child rather than a grownup.)

Are you familiar with all of the various resources available to your aging family member or do you first need to spend a lot of time researching these resources?

WHAT CAN A PROFESSIONAL GERIATRIC CARE MANAGER DO FOR ME?

• Conduct care plan assessments to identify problems and to provide solutions.
• Screen, arrange, and monitor in-home help or other services.
• Provide short- or long-term assistance for caregivers living near or far away.
• Review financial, legal, and medical issues and offer referrals to geriatric specialists.
• Provide crisis intervention.
• Act as a liaison to families at a distance, overseeing care, and quickly alerting families to problems.
• Assist with moving an older person to or from a retirement community, assisted living home, or a skilled nursing facility.
• Provide education to the caregiver.
• Act as an advocate for the older adult.
• Offer counseling and support.
• Assist with daily money management.