Dear Kate,
I live in the western part
of the state. I’ve recently been told that I might need to
hire a Geriatric Care Manager to help with my elderly Dad
who lives on the South Shore. It seems that care managers
have a variety of backgrounds. Some are social workers, some
are nurses, some seem to have just a Bachelor’s degree and
some don’t have any formal training, but claim to have
relevant experience. What are the distinctions between
different types of care managers and what should I look for?
You have identified one of the problems for consumers today.
Sadly, nearly anyone can call themselves a care manager
these days and it tells you little about their training or
background. The type of care manager you might need for your
Dad depends on the kind of assistance he requires.
For elders who have complicated medical conditions that need
monitoring or skilled nursing care, you are generally wise
to hire a care manager who is a Registered Nurse (RN) or an
agency that employs licensed nurses as part of their
services.
Nurses are skilled at the technical aspects of medical care.
They can enhance communication with physicians and ensure
dangerous medication interactions are caught before harm can
be done. They can administer treatments, injections and
monitor vital signs. They can assist an elder in remaining
in their home that might otherwise require a nursing home
due to medical necessity.
Your dad may have significant needs in multiple areas of his
life and you may desire a comprehensive approach to manage
his situation. The best professional background to look for
in this case is a professional Social Worker. Geriatric
Social Workers have experience in assessing all aspects of
an individual’s situation and can identify the proper
resources and services.
Social workers assess social, legal, financial,
psychological, medical and nutritional concerns. This most
often includes not just medical referrals but referrals to
other professionals and trustworthy service providers. They
also work in conjunction with and manage the many other
people who are involved in an elder’s care. This can
incorporate doctors, lawyers, government workers and family
members.
Elder Life Questions For Kate
(Continued from page 3)
Additionally, this includes in-home help, such as a
handyman, homemakers and in-home care agencies. They know
which resources and government benefits the elder will be
eligible for. Assisting elders and their families to
determine the best living arrangements is also an essential
service they provide.
When there are family situations which are complicated or
marked by high levels of conflict among family members,
because of their clinical training in psychology and family
systems, social workers are essential. This is a very common
problem and requires an advanced level of expertise to
ensure a positive resolution.
The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care
Managers is currently looking at a national certification
that consumers could rely on. The National Association of
Social Workers is also looking into creating a nationally
recognized certification.
In Massachusetts, both nurses and social workers are Board
Licensed. I would encourage you to look for such a licensed
individual to assist you who is also a member of the
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care
Managers.
Always ask for references and be sure they carry the proper
insurances which would be professional liability coverage
and workers compensation. A good place to find a geriatric
care manager would be from the following resources:
Resources:
South Shore Elder Services (781) 848-3910
National Association of Professional
Geriatric Care Managers at
www.caremanager.org.
Mass Executive Office of Elder Affairs
(800) 243-4636.
Your local Council on Aging |
