With the aging of the U.S. population—the number of those 65 and older will double by 2030 compared to 2000—it should be no surprise that there’s a greater demand for experts who are knowledgeable in care for the elderly.
It can be overwhelming for adult children to manage an older parent (or other relative) who has chronic health conditions and needs help with that person’s care. This is where geriatric care managers can help. Sometimes called aging life care professionals, these are people who are well-versed in finding the right doctors, health care facilities, and other support and management for the elderly. Although much of what they do focuses on health, geriatric care managers also may assist with financial, housing, crisis management, family support, and legal issues, according to the Aging Life Care Association.
You may need a geriatric care manager if your family is overwhelmed by caring for a loved one. Other indications for a geriatric care manager, according to the Aging Life Care Association, include when your loved one has little family support, is confused about his or her financial or legal situation, can’t life safely in their environment, is unsatisfied with current caregivers, or has multiple medical or psychological issues.
Sometimes a geriatric care manager is involved at the onset of care, to help a family find the right resources or local facilities and to coach the family through the process of setting up care. Other times, the family develops a long-term relationship with the care manager, who also implements the care plan. He or she also may accompany clients to doctors’ appointments. It’s important that care managers don’t receive referral fees from the facilities they recommend, according to a U.S. News and World Report article.
Geriatric care managers typically have a background in nursing, social work, or psychology.
Next month, Secure Aging will share some tips to help you find the best geriatric care manager for your family.
Call Secure Aging to Find Out How We Can Help Seniors With Care Management
At Secure Aging, we transform the weight of the world into a sigh of relief for our senior clients and their concerned family members. The mission of Secure Aging is to protect and preserve our client’s independence and dignity through careful and thoughtful financial and care management. As our clients age, it is their desire to remain independent and age with dignity. Our services protect our clients from talented con artists looking to exploit and deplete the financial resources of our vulnerable seniors. Call us at 941-761-9338, or visit us online at www.secureaging.com.
