"To partner with the client, and their family to allow them to remain as independent as possible, in the most appropriate setting."
A Geriatric Care Manager can ease the care giving burden by evaluating the situation and providing solutions for existing issues as well as anticipating future needs and helping to avoid crisis situations.
These Solutions may be as simple as safety recommendations to the existing home to improve safety and independence. They may also include referrals and recommendations to alternate living arrangements such as assisted living or nursing home care. A Geriatric Care Manager can recommend which setting is the appropriate choice and can provide information as to which one best meets their needs.
For family members who live at a distance a Geriatric Care Manager can be a trained extra set of eyes and ears. Regularly scheduled visits can ensure quality care and that the setting remains the proper place for the client.
Geriatric Care Mangers can relieve the stress and anxiety so the caregivers can enjoy time with their family.
A Professional Geriatric Care Managers is a health and human services specialist who helps families who are caring for older relatives. The PGCM is trained and experienced in any of several fields related to long-term care, including, but not limited to nursing, gerontology, social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.
Stepping Stones Geriatric Care Managers assist older adults and persons with disabilities in attaining their maximum functional potential. In addition, our GCM is an experienced guide and resource for families of older adults and others with chronic needs.
Since Stepping Stones Care Geriatric Care Managers are members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM), we are committed to adhering to the NAPGCM Pledge of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Evaluate whether you have the time, inclination, or skills to manage the challenges of geriatric care. If you are not sure, ask a trusted advisor to help you decide if an elder care expert may be helpful. Enlisting the support of other family member to consult a professional is a good way to build a consensus on the solutions. Questions that you may wish to consider:
A geriatric assessment 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.
A request for a geriatric assessment would be appropriate when there are persistent or intermittent symptoms such as:
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 geriatric care manager for a single, specific task, such as helping you find a daily caregiver, or to oversee the entire caregiving process. Geriatric care managers can help families or seniors who are:
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: