Standards and Ethics
Standards of Practice for Professional Geriatric Care Managers
National Association of Professional
Geriatric Care Managers
1604 N. Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716-3102
(520) 881-8008
(520) 325-7925 Fax
TDD: (520) 326-2467
*These Standards were adopted by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers on October 20, 1990 at the 6th Annual Meeting held in Washington, DC, and revised June 1991, October 1992, June 1996, March 1997, October 1999, June 2002, August 2003.
Preamble
These Standards have been developed because professional geriatric care management is a human service specialty provided by professionals from diverse backgrounds and academic preparations to a vulnerable and often frail population. No one profession can claim exclusive domain over the knowledge and skills required to provide geriatric care management services. Thus, professional geriatric care managers may be members of formal professions, such as social work, nursing or psychology, or may hold advanced degrees in gerontology, counseling, public health administration, or other fields of human service specialization.
In addition, these Standards have been developed because certain issues of particular concern to professional geriatric care managers have not always been included in the standards developed by other organizations. Thus, the purpose of these Standards is to supplement already existing standards of other professions and organizations and to provide guidance to the members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, (GCM), in the many complex situations presented by their practices. Members of GCM are expected to abide by the standards of their respective professions, as well as to these Standards developed specifically for their practices in professional geriatric care management.
Regarding the Client Relationship:
Standard 1 - Who is the Client?
Standard
While the primary client usually is the older person whose care needs have instigated the referral to a professional geriatric care manager, all others affected by his/her care needs should be considered part of the client system.
Rationale
In the area of professional geriatric care management, the care needs of the older persons often have significant consequences for others. The professional geriatric care manager's goal is to arrive at a solution that allows maximum decision-making autonomy for the person receiving care and for the other persons involved with or affected by these care needs.
Guidelines
- The primary client may not necessarily be the person who makes the initial contact or the person responsible for payment for services rendered.
- Members of the client system may include:
- the older person
- a family member within or outside of the older person's household
- a paid caregiver
- friends, neighbors or community agencies
- a third party with fiduciary responsibilities
- other professionals, such as a physician, a nurse from a home health care agency, an attorney, etc.
- the professional geriatric care manager
- In the event of conflicting needs within the client system, the goal of professional intervention should be to strive for resolution through a process of review and discussion among the parties, facilitated by the professional geriatric care manager.
- The professional geriatric care manager should request assistance of appropriate peers, as needed, to help the client system find an acceptable solution when conflicts occurs.
Standard 2 - Fostering Self-Determination
Standard
To the greatest extent possible, the professional geriatric care manager should foster self-determination on the part of the older person, to enable the person to live in accordance with his or her personal values and goals.
Rationale
All too often, health care professionals and family members feel they know what is best for the older person. Professional geriatric care managers have a responsibility to respect the older person's right to make decisions regarding his/her care.
Guidelines
- The professional geriatric care manager (PGCM) must attempt to involve the older person in all decisions that impact his/her life regardless of the determination of competence.
- As the older person makes decisions on his/her own behalf, the PGCM should see that the following conditions are met:
- The specific information needed to make a certain decision has been given, discussed to the greatest extent possible, and understood by the elder.
- The consequences of alternative decisions are understood by the elder.
- The elder can communicate, verbally or non-verbally, his/her wishes.
- If the older person has not comprehended the factors involved in the decision-making process and, therefore, cannot make a responsible decision, then the PGCM should see that all decisions concerning the older person are made by the person(s) with the legal authority to do so.
Standard 3 - Right to Privacy
Standard
The professional geriatric care manager should respect the older person's and, when applicable, the family's right to privacy by protecting all information that is given in confidence and all information of a confidential nature. It should be made clear to the client the limits of confidentiality as appropriate.
Rationale
The professional geriatric care manager (PGCM) generally needs to share information with others in order to fulfill his/her responsibilities. The PGCM utilizes knowledge of the older person's physical and mental status, financial and legal affairs, and family and community supports to assist her/him to achieve maximum well-being. Due care must be exercised at all times to protect the privacy of this information.
Guidelines
- The information contained in case files should be considered confidential by the care manager.
- The care manager is responsible to abide by all state and federal regulations.
- The professional geriatric care manager (PGCM) should obtain an authorization to release information that covers all actions taken on the behalf of the client so that pertinent information can be shared for the benefit of the older person.
- The PGCM should act judiciously when sharing information within families and with other professionals.
- The PGCM should insure that all consultations and interviews are held in locations that allow for the maximum amount of privacy.
- Confidentiality is waived when the PGCM has good reason to believe life is threatened or the laws of the State, in which the PGCM practices, require the reporting of suspected abuse or neglect.
Standard 4 - Personal Integrity of the Older Person and PGCM
Standard
The professional geriatric care manager should act in a manner that insures his/her own integrity as well as the integrity of the client system.
Rationale
One of the professional geriatric care manager's (PGCM) most important roles is to be an advocate for the older person. At the same time, the PGCM's own values and beliefs must be taken into consideration when working with the older person and client system.
Guidelines
- The professional geriatric care manager (PGCM) can appropriately refuse to accept a new case or continue in a case in which she/he is already involved if the PGCM believes that remaining in the situation would require compromising his/her own values, beliefs or standards. The PGCM can terminate his/her involvement in an ongoing case by providing timely written notice to allow for alternate arrangements to be made. She/he is obligated to make an effort to refer those cases that she/he is unable to accept to an appropriate resource.
- If the PGCM finds her/himself in a circumstance in which the integrity and safety of the older person is at risk (e.g. abuse, neglect or self-neglect) she/he must make a report to the appropriate authority in accordance with national and state laws and regulations.
Standard 5 - Professionalism of the Relationship
Standard
The professional geriatric care manager should not exploit professional relationships with clients and families for personal gain.
Rationale
The professional geriatric care manager needs to be alert to and resist the influence and pressures that interfere with the exercise of professional discretion and impartial judgment required for the performance of professional functions. The best interests of the client are the focus of the PGCM.
Guidelines
Professional geriatric care managers:
- charge fees as reimbursement for services rendered.
- avoid personal relationships with clients and families that may impair judgment or lead to exploitation.
- under no circumstances engage in sexual contact with the client or family members.
Regarding the Professionalism of the Practice:
Standard 6 - Definition of Role to Other Professionals
Standard
The professional geriatric care manager should define his/her role clearly to other professionals.
Rationale
Since the specialty of professional geriatric care management (PGCM) is a relatively new one, other professionals may not have worked with PGCMs. Thus, uncertainty may exist as to how each can complement the other's rule. It is of utmost importance for all professionals involved in the care of the older person to have a clear understanding of each other's areas of expertise and responsibility.
Guidelines
- Professional geriatric care managers (PGCM) should act only in the roles for which they have the appropriate skills, knowledge and training. She/he should recommend consultations with specialists as needed.
- With proper consent the PGCM should share information concerning the needs of the older person or client system with professional colleagues in a forthright, clear and timely manner.
Standard 7 - Development of Plans of Care
Standard
The professional geriatric care manager should strive to provide quality care using a flexible care plan developed in conjunction with the older person and other persons involved in his/her care.
Rationale
A plan of care with the stated recommendations, goals and appropriate interventions must be flexible enough to deal with the older person's changing status. The overall goal is to strive to assist the older person to attain the highest level of health and quality of life that is possible within his/her particular set of circumstances.
Guidelines
The care plan should:
- be documented and included in the client file,
- have a systematic and concise format.
- Specific goals should be based on the needs of the client as determined during the assessment process.
- In on going management, goals of the care plan must be agreed to by the older person or the substituted decision maker acting on behalf of the older person.
These goals should foster self-determination of the older person with due consideration of the person's need for safety.
Standard 8 - Knowledge of Employment Laws
Standard
The professional geriatric care manager should be familiar with laws relating to employment practices and should not knowingly participate in practices that are inconsistent with these laws.
Rationale
Professional geriatric care managers (PGCM) are often concerned with private duty caregivers, either in screening and recommending them to clients for hire, or in coordinating and/or supervising their work. In addition, PGCM may employ other professionals or service providers. In either case, they need to be aware of applicable employment and tax laws.
Guidelines
- Professional geriatric care managers (PGCM) should recommend or employ only persons who are legally permitted to work. The PGCM should not condone non-payment of wage taxes, or wages that do not meet minimum wage requirements.
- Professional geriatric care managers should use, and recommend that clients use, the appropriate legal and accounting professionals to ensure that applicable laws are followed.
- Professional geriatric care managers may also want to be familiar with the appropriate State and Federal agencies that handle employment practices.
Standard 9 - Undertaking Fiduciary Responsibilities
Standard
The professional geriatric care manager who accepts a fiduciary responsibility should act only within his/her knowledge and capabilities and should avoid any activities that might comprise a conflict of interest.
Rationale
When, due to physical frailties or cognitive losses, an older person is not able to handle certain financial transactions, e.g. balancing a checkbook or paying bills and there is no family member or other party to accept these responsibilities the professional geriatric care manager may act as a "pay agent." The role of the care manager in handling fiduciary issues will be further determined by the competence of the older person.
Guidelines
- When undertaking "pay agent" responsibilities the professional geriatric care manager (PGCM) should obtain written consent from the older person or a responsible third party.
- When asked to take responsibility for a purchase (of goods or services) not commonly within the "pay agent" agreement, the PGCM should conduct appropriate comparative pricing and make the purchase only with the agreement of the older person or a responsible third party. If the older person becomes incompetent, and has appointed a financial power of attorney (POA), then all bill paying responsibilities should be assumed by the POA. If the PGCM is the financial POA, then the PGCM will assume bill-paying responsibilities. Third party oversight of self-payment should continue.
- The PGCM, in the role of "pay agent," should not act as a financial advisor regarding client's assets or investments, unless qualified to do so. (See Standard 11.)
- The PGCM should avoid, where possible, self-payment. If the PGCM has no alternative than to assist the competent client to pay for his/her services, it is recommended that a third party provide oversight for these transactions. (See Standard 11.)
- If the client has been determined to be incompetent, the PGCM may be appointed as guardian, or conservator. If so appointed, the PGCM will be required to follow all the legal requirements of this court appointed role. It is also recommended that if a PCGM takes on such a role, the PCGM should be knowledgeable and adhere to the National Guardianship Association's Standards of Practice.
- Records of all transaction should be kept current in a format recognized by standard accounting practices, and should be open to inspection by appropriate parties.
Standard 10 - Continuing Education
Standard
The professional geriatric care manager should participate in continuing education programs and be a member of his/her respective professional organization in order to enhance professional growth and to provide the highest quality care management.
Rationale
To remain up to date with scientific, cultural, political, legal and social changes in the area of gerontology it is incumbent upon the professional geriatric care manager (PGCM) to continually take part in educational programs that will enable her/him to provide the highest quality care management. In addition, both the PGCM and those persons to whom she/he provides services will benefit from the PGCM's participation in his/her respective professional organization. The PGCM thus will practice in accord with that organization's standards, in addition to those specific to professional geriatric care management.
Guidelines
Professional geriatric care managers should:
- be certified, if applicable, and/or licensed, as required, in his/her area of expertise,
- seek peer supervision, as needed,
- seek consultation with other professions, as needed.
Regarding Business Policies:
Standard 11 - Fees for Service
Standard
All fees for professional geriatric care management services are to be stated in written form and discussed with the person accepting responsibility for payment prior to the initiation of services.
Rationale
The older person and the family often contact the geriatric care manager at a time of great stress. To prevent any misunderstandings regarding fees it is in the best interest of all parties to have information in written form prior to the initiation of services. If time does not allow for this then all information should be verbally presented and followed in writing.
Guidelines
- Fees should be charged for services rendered and presented in a clearly itemized statement. These fees should not be based on a percentage of a person's assets.
- At intake, older people or families determined to be unable to pay for care management services can be referred to publicly supported agencies that can provide the necessary services. An older person with an established relationship with a professional geriatric care manager (PGCM), but who can no longer pay for services, should not be abandoned. The PGCM must make every effort to provide linkage with a community agency suited to his/her client's needs, or continue to provide services pro bono.
- Professional geriatric care managers are encouraged to provide free services as a professional responsibility. Free services are to be of equal quality as for a person paying for services.
- To the extent that the practices of fee splitting and receiving referral fees from vendors/professionals who are providing services to the older client are legal, they will not form the basis of any disciplinary enforcement. Nevertheless, GCM does not support these practices, and in the view of GCM, they may raise significant ethical and conflict of interest issues.
- Professional geriatric care managers should only bill third party payers who are known to cover geriatric care management services.
Standard 12 - Advertising and Marketing
Standard
Advertising and marketing of services should be conducted within all guidelines and laws governing the advertising of professional management services.
Rationale
Families facing the stresses of coping with complications of aging, dementia, chronic illness or death are vulnerable to claims which suggest a rescue or immediate relief of stressful circumstances. Older persons faced with debilitating illnesses, decreased capacity for judgment and limited financial resources are likewise vulnerable to unrealistic claims.
Guidelines
- The professional geriatric care manager (PGCM) has a responsibility to educate clients and the public about the nature of care management as a profession, in order to establish realistic expectations of the service.
- Only the individual who is the member in GCM may advertise this fact.
- Each PGCM has a responsibility to protect and enhance the reputation of the profession of geriatric care management.Back to Top
Standard 13 - Disclosure of Business Relationships
Standard
The professional geriatric care manager should provide full disclosure regarding business, professional or personal relationships she/he has with each recommended business, agency or institution.
Rationale
When developing a plan of care, the professional geriatric care manager (PGCM) often will need to make referrals to businesses, agencies or institutions that can provide needed services. It is important for the older person and his/her family to be informed if the PGCM has a relationship other than objective third party with that agency, e.g. Board of Trustees, ownership, investor, family member.
Guidelines
- When a referral is made the professional geriatric care manager (PGCM) should clarify to the client any special relationship that exists with the recommended business, agency or institution.
- When the PGCM has a business, professional or personal relationship with a recommended business, agency or institution, she/he should provide to the client information regarding alternative choices.
- When a PGCM sells his or her practice, the client will be notified in writing of the opportunity to use the GCM services of the buying party or to use alternative services.
Pledge of Ethics For Members
PROVISION OF SERVICE
I will provide ongoing service to you only after I have assessed your needs and you, or a person designated to act for you, understand and agree to a plan of service, the results that may be expected from it, and the cost of service.
SELF-DETERMINATION
I will base my plan of service on goals you, or a person designated to act for you, have defined, and which enhance the decisions you have made concerning your life.
LOYALTY
My first duty is loyalty to you. I will always provide services based on your best interest, even if this conflicts with my interests or the interests of others.
TERMINATION OF SERVICE
I will end service to you only after reasonable notice. I will recommend a plan for you to continue to receive the services as needed.
SUBSTITUTE JUDGMENT
I will not substitute my judgment for yours unless I am acting in the role of your guardian, appointed by a Court of Law, or with your approval, or the approval of someone designated to act for you.
CONFIDENTIALITY
I will hold in trust any confidence you give me, disclosing information to others only with your permission, or if I am compelled to do so by a belief that you will be seriously harmed by my silence, or if the laws of this State require me to do so.
REFERRALS/DISCLOSURE
I will refer you only to services and organizations I believe to be appropriate and of good quality. I will fully explain to you any business relationship I have with any service I propose, and give you information on alternatives, if at all possible, so that you, or a person designated to act for you, can make an informed decision to accept or reject the services I recommend to you.
COOPERATION
I will strive to ensure cooperation between all of the individuals involved in providing service and care to you.
QUALIFICATIONS
I am fully qualified in my profession to provide the services I undertake. I continue to improve my skills and knowledge by participating in professional development programs and maintaining certification and licensing in my profession.
DISCRIMINATION
I will not promote or sanction any form of discrimination.