Geriatric Care Manager
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KEY POINTS
- Geriatric care managers, or case managers, have special training and experience in the care of older adults.
- Care managers can help identify what kind of help is needed, who can provide care, and possible options for where the older person might live. They can also help with legal, financial, and government benefit questions.
- Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance usually do not cover these services. If you cannot afford a care manager, call your local Area Agency on Aging. They can refer you to a city, county, or nonprofit agency that offers low-cost or no-cost care management.
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What is a geriatric care manager?
Geriatric care managers have special training and experience in the care of older adults. They usually have a degree in social work, psychology, nursing, or gerontology (the study of aging and the problems of older adults). They may also be called case managers, elder care managers, or care coordinators.
Care managers can help when family members live far away from aging relatives. They can also help when family members live nearby but cannot provide all of the assistance needed. Care managers can help in a number of ways. For example, they may:
- Do an assessment to see what services are needed. The assessment covers medical problems, the ability to live at home, think and make decisions, and have a good quality of life. This can help identify what kind of help is needed, who can provide care, and possible options for where the older person might live.
- Help you find out what insurance or government benefits are available. The care manager can help you apply for help from federal, state, or local programs.
- Work with healthcare providers and specialists to get medical care.
- Help set up home care services, including personal care and nursing care, if needed.
- Review financial and legal issues and refer you to experts who can help.
- Check in regularly with the older adult. They can let you know about problems as they come up.
- Help during a crisis--for example, if an older adult has an injury, severe illness, or other problem that keeps him from talking care of himself.
- Help find housing, such as assisted living or a nursing facility, if needed.
How do I pay for a care manager?
The fees depend on where you live and what services are needed. Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance usually do not cover these costs. Long-term care insurance may cover geriatric care management.
If you cannot afford a private care manager, call your local Area Agency on Aging. They can refer you to a city, county, or nonprofit agency that offers low-cost or no-cost care management.
How do I find a care manager?
The older adult’s healthcare provider is a good place to start your search. You might also check with:
- The local Area Agency on Aging (800-677-1116)
- A lawyer who works with elder law
- Local hospitals and senior centers
- Religious organizations
- Community mental health or human service agencies
- Internet or telephone listings for senior services, care management, or home healthcare agencies
There are no state or national regulations for geriatric care managers. Anyone can call themselves a case or care manager. The Aging Life Care Association requires continuing education and testing and provides a national directory on their Web site: http://www.aginglifecare.org/.
To help you find the right care manager, you may want to ask:
- What education and experience do they have?
- Have they worked with the kinds of problems the older adult has?
- Do they have references from past clients?
- Are they licensed or certified as a psychologist, nurse, or social worker?
- What are the fees? Are they covered by insurance?
- Are you and the older adult comfortable with the care manager? Do you feel you can trust him or her?
