By Susan Baida
Today I attended a conference for professional geriatric care managers (GCMs) in New York City. I had an idea of who they are and what they do, but admittedly, wasn’t one hundred percent clear. Interestingly, I learned today that many people don’t know who they are or that their service even exists. Today I got my education and would like to share it with you.
Who & What
GCMs are professionals who conduct in-depth assessments of elderly clients to identify solutions and suggest a customized care plan. Their knowledge, experience and network can help families navigate the complex system of eldercare. They can assist with a wide range of topics:
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Financing care (long term care insurance, Medicare, Medicaid)
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Placement in care facilities (such as adult daycare, nursing homes, assisted living facilities)
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Finding home care agencies
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Eldercare products
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Home living space and design
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Legal documents
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End-of-life planning
GCMs can also serve as a third party when families are having trouble discussing care planning amongst themselves. They can guide the conversation and even help families through conflicts.
Because of their extensive network, GCMs are also able to connect families with numerous individual service providers such as doctors, nurses, social workers, accountants, financial planners, lawyers, etc.
When
A GCM typically comes in when a senior is about to be discharged from a hospital and cannot live independently or requires homecare. As was the case with my father-in-law who suffered from Parkinson’s disease and lost his balance quite a bit, sometimes GCMs are brought in to help when an elder falls one too many times, has had a few too many accidents, or may be suspected of having dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Cost
GCMs either work with a care management company, a community agency or operate independently. Their rates range from $50 - $175 per hour depending on location. One seminar I attended lead by Paula Span, author of When the Time Comes and NY Times contributor to The New Old Age blog, indicated that Geriatric Care Managers could cover a substantial amount in one hour. This might seem more financially viable and attractive to many families during this economic downturn. When you consider the thousands of dollars they can potentially save a family in the long term because of their expertise and knowledge, this fee can seem nominal.
In some cases, their services are available at low-cost or free by senior centers or agencies in low income communities. I learned that GCM services are not covered by either Medicare or Medicaid which is unfortunate.
Credentials
Ideally, GCMs hold advanced degrees in Nursing, Gerontology, Social Work, or Psychology with specialized knowledge and expertise in eldercare issues. It is a good idea to select GCMs who are certified by organizations that have strong educational and minimum years of service requirements and do not give out credentials without passing an exam. One such organization is the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM).
Where
You can find GCMs in your local area through the following resources:
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Contact your local Area Agency on Aging. Here’s the online directory or call 1-800-677-1116
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Senior centers
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Local hospitals
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Religious affiliations
On a last note, GCMs may not be for everyone. Some families may feel they can handle the research process on their own. Others may feel confused, overwhelmed, or may have wasted lots of money on the wrong solutions for their loved one. A GCM can be very valuable to get started on the right track and avoid potential pitfalls, financial, emotional or otherwise.