When caring for an elderly loved one, a team approach is often best. Each player – the doctors, nurses, home care providers, attorneys, financial planners and caregivers all their their roles. The New York Times has a recent article about Geriatric Care Managers, who are often an integral part of the team when working with elders.
As the article explains:
…many family members don’t know how, or live too far away, to find and
manage help for aging parents. That’s where geriatric care managers
come in. They serve as guides through the fragmented care landscape,
connecting clients with local services, assisted-living facilities and
a wide network of paid caregivers, elder law attorneys and financial
advisers. They help families find living options, assess the abilities
of older people, write care plans and sometimes hire and supervise home
help.
Geriatric Care Managers, or GCMs, can help evaluate a situation and make recommendations for the best type of care – whether in home, at a day program or in a facility. They can then coordinate that care to make sure that nothing slips through the cracks, and that nothing is being duplicated. GCM's are usually social workers or nurses and are generally very knowledgeable about the resources for elders in their communities. The clients I've had who have worked with GCM's have appreciated their assistance and expertise – whether they worked with them on a long term basis or just for a few visits.
You can locate a geriatric care manager in your area by going to the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers website, or by asking your attorney, home care provider, or other allied professional for a referral.
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