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What does a Geriatric Care
Manager Do?
A Care Manager first performs an Assessment, which is a
comprehensive evaluation designed to optimize an older person's ability to enjoy
good health, improve their overall quality of life, reduce the need for
hospitalization and/or institutionalization, and enable them to live
independently for as long as possible.
An assessment consists of the following steps:
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Their physical, mental, and psycho-social
health |
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Their ability to function well and to
independently perform the basic activities of daily living
such as dressing, bathing meal preparation, medication management,
etc. |
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Their living arrangements, their social
network, and their access to support services. |
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An identification of current problems or
anticipated future problems in any of these areas. |
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The development of a comprehensive "Care Plan"
which addresses all problems identified, suggests specific
interventions or actions required, and makes specific
recommendations regarding resources needed to provide the necessary
support services. |
How do you know when a Care
Manager consultation is needed?
A Care Manager would be appropriate when there are
persistent or intermittent symptoms such as:
Often, what looks like Alzheimer's or dementia can be the
result of medication interactions or other medical or psychiatric problems.
Because of the thoroughness of the assessment, it can help determine what the
actual problem and cause is or is not.
Where does a Care Manager do
the assessment?
A Care Manager can do an assessment in many different
settings such as:
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A hospital
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A nursing home
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An outpatient clinic
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A physician's office
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The patient's home
What is a Geriatric Care
Manager?
A geriatric care manager (GCM) is a professional with
specialized knowledge and expertise in senior care issues. Ideally, a GCM holds
an advanced degree in gerontology, social work, psychology, nursing, or a
related health and human services field. Sometimes called case managers, elder
care managers, service coordinators or care coordinators, GCMs are individuals
who evaluate your situation, identify solutions, and work with you to design a
plan for maximizing your elder's independence and well being.
Geriatric care management usually involves an in-depth
assessment, developing a care plan, arranging for services, and following up or
monitoring care. While you aren't obligated to implement any part of the
suggested care plan, geriatric care managers often suggest potential
alternatives you might not have considered, due to their experience and
familiarity with community resources. They can also make sure your loved one
receives the best possible care and any benefits to which they are entitled.
How can a Geriatric Care
Manager help me?
Geriatric care managers facilitate the care selection
process for family members who live at a distance from their elderly relatives,
as well as for those who live nearby but do not know how to tap into the
appropriate local services.
You can hire a care manager for a single, specific task,
such as helping you find a daily caregiver, or to oversee the entire care giving
process. Geriatric care managers can help families or seniors who are:
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New to elder care or uncomfortable with elder care
decision-making
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Having difficulty with any aspect of elder care
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Faced with a sudden decision or major change, such as a
health crisis or a change of residence
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Dealing with a complex situation such as a psychiatric,
cognitive, health, legal, or social issue
In addition to helping seniors and their families directly,
geriatric care managers can act as your informed connection with a range of
other professionals who are part of your elder care network, including any of
the following service providers:
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Attorneys or trust officers:
A care manager can serve as both elder advocate and intermediary with
financial and legal advisors. The GCM is often a good source of referrals if
a family needs services from these professionals.
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Physicians: The GCM
is an ideal liaison between doctors and other health professionals, and the
elder patient and family members.
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Social workers: It
is useful for hospital and nursing home social workers and discharge
planners to know that their senior patient will have someone to coordinate
their care and assist them on a long-term basis.
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Home care companies:
The GCM will know local agencies and be able to explain options, costs, and
oversight of home care workers. The care manager can also assist in dealing
with patients' social issues, help link to other community resources, and
suggest possible placement options.
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Residential facilities:
The GCM can help identify types of care facilities and assist you in
selecting an appropriate one for your situation. The GCM may also be able to
streamline the transition into or out of a senior community, for both the
elderly resident, family members and staff.
How do I find a Geriatric
Care Manager?
In addition to the many References and resources available,
a good place to start your search for a geriatric care manager is with your
family physician. Other sources for referrals include:
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www.Seniorweblinks.com
: Fill out the form and find a Care Manager in Central
Florida
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Your local Area Agency on Aging (call 1-800-677-1116
for the AAA in your area)
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Local hospitals and health maintenance organizations
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Senior or family service organizations
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Senior centers
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Religious affiliations including churches and
synagogues
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Yellow Page listings for Senior Citizens' Services,
Care Management, Home Care, Home Health Services and similar subject areas
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Medicaid offices
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Private care management companies
While geriatric care managers are frequently licensed by
the state within their respective fields of expertise, there are no state or
national regulations for professional care managers per se. For this reason,
anyone can use the title case or care manager. Membership in a professional
organization and/or certification in care management are good indicators of
appropriate background. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
recognizes the following designations for a "Certified Care Manager": CMC, CCM,
C-ASWCM and C-SWCM. Each of these requires testing and continuing education.
When interviewing potential geriatric care managers, the
NAPGCM suggests asking:
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Are you a member of a professional care or case
management association?
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Are you certified as a care manager? Do you hold other
professional licenses or certifications?
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How long have you been providing care management
services?
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Are you available for emergencies?
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Does your company also provide home care services?
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How will you communicate information to me?
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Can you provide me with references from past clients?
The NAPGCM website
also provides a directory of geriatric care managers located throughout the
nation.
What does Geriatric Care
Management cost?
Private geriatric care managers' fees can range from $50 -
$200 per hour, depending on where you live and what services you need. You may
also be charged an intake fee of $50 - $300 for the initial visit, which is when
the in-depth assessment takes place.
While this may seem costly, bear in mind that a GCM will
likely save you money in the long run, by assessing your precise needs and
helping you choose the specific services that will best serve you now. In
addition, most people require geriatric care management only intermittently once
support services are in place. Following the initial assessment, your GCM will
help your family carefully estimate the ongoing cost of service delivery.
Although geriatric care management fees are not covered by
Medicare or Medicaid, some employers, insurance companies, health plans and
financial service providers are beginning to subsidize or cover these services
for their members and clients. Long-term care insurance is most likely to
include care management.
If you are unable to afford a private care manager, there
are other options. Low-cost or no-cost geriatric care management is often
available through a community agency, senior services organization or other
non-profit agencies; your local Area Agency on Aging (call 1-800-677-1116 for
the AAA in your area) will be able to refer you to a city, county or agency
source.
In addition, most states offer a
Medicaid waiver program that provides geriatric care management and in-home
services for individuals 65 and older, who are eligible for both nursing home
placement and Medicaid.
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In
The News |
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Feeling tired all the time?
You’re not alone. In fact, fatigue is one of the most
common complaints that bring adults to doctors’ offices.
Numerous studies indicate that people who see their doctor
about fatigue have generally experienced it for a
considerable length of time — anywhere from six months to
several years!
Fatigue can be due to numerous causes, such as medical
conditions like congestive heart failure, hypothyroidism or
diabetes. It can also be a result of sleep disturbances
brought on by menopause, or by physical changes that
accompany aging. But while fatigue may be an inescapable
part of life, there’s no need to take it lying down. Your
body is geared toward generating energy as well as expending
it. And there are numerous strategies to help regain the
physical and mental energy needed to enjoy life to its
fullest.
Eat for energy
The tried-and-true advice
for healthful eating also applies to keeping your energy
level high:
• Eat a balanced
diet that includes a variety of carbohydrates,
proteins, and fats with an emphasis on vegetables, whole
grains, and healthy oils. Taking a daily multivitamin will
ensure that you get the vitamins and minerals you need, but
taking extra amounts of individual nutrients won’t give you
more energy.
• Eating certain
types of foods in particular amounts can help
prevent fatigue. Because different kinds of foods are
converted to energy at different rates, some — such as candy
and other simple sugars — can give you a quick lift, while
others — such as whole grains and healthy unsaturated fats —
supply the reserves you’ll need to draw on throughout the
day.
• Eat small,
frequent meals. Where energy is the issue, it’s
better to eat small meals and snacks every few hours than
three large meals a day. This approach can reduce your
perception of fatigue because your brain, which has very few
energy reserves of its own, needs a steady supply.
Reduce stress
The most common cause of
persistent fatigue is stress and the emotional response to
it. People who feel fatigued most of the time don’t
necessarily have more stress in their lives than other
people, but they may be more sensitive to its effects.
Stress-induced emotions consume huge amounts of energy.
Relaxation therapy can be an effective tool for reducing
stress and naturally boosting your energy, particularly when
used in combination with cognitive behavioral therapy.
Meditation, self-hypnosis, yoga, and tai chi are all
relaxation techniques. One of the easiest techniques to use
is progressive muscle relaxation, which involves
systematically tightening and releasing sets of muscles,
beginning with your toes and progressing up your legs,
torso, hands, and arms. You might also consider other
relaxation therapies, including aromatherapy and massage.
No
matter what age you are, there are things that you can do to
feel more energetic. Harvard Health Publications’
Boosting Your Energy report will help you take the
first steps toward discovering the causes of your fatigue.
This Special Health Report provides you with the latest
information about fatigue and offers strategies to help you
regain your physical and mental energy. The report discusses
medical conditions that may be the cause of your fatigue as
well as ways to naturally boost your energy.
Reprinted from Boosting Your Energy
— A Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School,
Copyright © 2007 by the President and Fellows of Harvard
College. All rights reserved. |
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