What is a Geriatric Care Manager?
"We didn't know where to turn when serious problems began with our parents until we found out about professional care managers."
"When it became difficult for me to function independently, I was grateful for the help I received from a private care manager."
"I never knew a group existed that could help me with home care and other necessary services when I could no longer cope"
Read the New York Times' recent article about geriatric care management: "Faraway Relatives Turning to Geriatrics Experts," by Susan B Garland.
A geriatric care manager (GCM) is a professional who specializes in assisting older people and their families in making their long-term care arrangements. GCM’s have training in gerontology, social work, nursing, and/or counseling.
GCM members can help:
- Conduct care-planning assessments to identify problems, eligibility for assistance, and need for services;
- Screen, arrange and monitor in-home help or other services;
- Review financial, legal, or medical issues and offer referrals to geriatric specialists to avoid future problems and conserve assets;
- Provide crisis intervention;
- Act as a liaison to families at a distance, ensuring that things are going well and alerting families to problems;
- Assist with moving an older person to or from a retirement complex, care home, or nursing home;
- Provide consumer education and advocacy; and
- Offer counseling and support.
Some GCM’s also provide family or individual therapy, money management, and conservatorship or guardianship assistance. GCM’s have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of services in their community. One call to a GCM will connect you with the services an older person may need.