Geriatric Care Managers What They Do To Help Seniors

 

Geriatric Care Managers: Helping Seniors and Their Families

geriatric care managers dedham

What is a Geriatric Care Manager?

Geriatric Care Managers are invaluable in helping seniors and their families figure out how to get the care they need.

Seniors health care policies are extremely complicated and to try and understand the benefits and exclusions of these policies can be challenging for seniors and their families.

These are trained professionals who can help you or your loved one with all aspects of the care management and caregiving process.

The Geriatric Care Manager Role

A Geriatric Care Manager works with the family and senior to create and implement a comprehensive short and long-term care plan which enables the senior to maintain their health and independence.

This is accomplished by putting in place staff and services with the highest quality care at the best price. Geriatric care managers have a specialization in caring for seniors, and some can also provide care to people with disabilities, no matter the care needs or age of the client.

Qualifications of a Geriatric Care Manager

Care managers typically have graduate-level degrees in nursing, psychology, social work, or gerontology, and most are certified or licensed.

The Process of Getting Help

When the Geriatric Care managers begin their work, they typically start with an assessment of the person’s needs, which includes exploring the available family and community resources, financial resources, as well as the physical and mental health of the client.

Once the initial evaluation is made and the care plan created, the Geriatric Care Manager continuously monitors and re-evaluates the plan by either advising the family about existing resources or by becoming a member of the long-term care team.

What Do Geriatric Care Managers Do

Generally, geriatric care managers will help with the following:

  • Screen and Assess care needs.
  • Determine the client’s eligibility for financial assistance, problems, and services required.
  • Arrange for and monitor in-home medical care and related services.
  • Provide counseling and support for families, client, and others involved in the caregiving process.
  • Provide advocacy for the client and/or family.
  • Assist a client in changing their living environment, if needed.
  • Assist with coordination and communication between family members and caregivers.
  • Offer crisis intervention, as needed.
  • Make referrals to specialists for medical, legal, dietary, or financial matters.

Custom Care

Geriatric Care Managers tailor each care plan to each individual’s custom needs. Therefore, it is important to make all of your needs known to the Geriatric Care Manager initially when you meet with them.

Benefits of Hiring a Geriatric Care Manager:

Convenience: Not all, but some are available around the clock

Continuity: It is easier for the caregiver to ensure continuity of care

Control of Costs: They coordinate to help keep costs down

Custom Care: Care manager tailors care to your loved ones needs

Flexibility: Having a person who is available at times when you need them, enables you to resume many of your normal activities

Higher Quality Care: Geriatric care managers are governed by standards of quality care set forth by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services provides in-home care for elders and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We offer a full range of in-home care services such as personal care, grooming and incontinence care, bathing and dressing, post-hospitalization care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, and medication management.

We also provide non-medical support services such as meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, caring companionship, shopping/errands, accompanying to medical and other appointments, as well as case management services.

Our services are available for long-term and short-term care needs from as little as a one 4 hour day visit a week to 24 Hour and Live-In Care.

We also offer Respite Care services to assist family caregivers going away or with caregiver fatigue.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

We have an extensive Directory of Online Senior and Caregiver Resources for the information you need.

Our service area is Boston, Norwood, Dedham, Westwood, Walpole, Canton, Sharon, Stoughton, Avon, Braintree, Easton, Milton, Quincy, Weymouth, and surrounding towns.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation full In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs of you or your loved one please call us at (800) 296-9962 to speak to a Case Manager or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.

Is a Home Care Agency or an Independent Personal Attendant Better?

 

Is a Home Care Agency or an Independent Personal Attendant Better?

Many families find themselves trying to determine which is the better decision, to hire an independent personal attendant which may have a lower cost versus hiring an agency.

The decision to hire a home care agency or an independent personal attendant should take into account all the factors outlined in this article.

homecare agency

Quick Response

A home care agency has the resources to be able to fill your request more quickly because they have more staff to draw from. Unlike a single person who may be booked with other clients, or unavailable when you need them due to illness or vacations.

Protection

A home care agency is bound by state and federal regulations and standards to which they must comply. All home care agency staff are bonded and insured and have Liability and Workers’ Comp. insurance. So, in the rare case that a caregiver would hurt themselves in your home, they would not sue your homeowner insurance policy. The single independent personal attendant may not have that coverage.

Quality Control

A home care agency typically has a supervisor who manages all cases and supervises all staff to ensure the client and family are satisfied with the care provided.  Family members are communicated with and updated on a regular basis.  The independent care provider reports to no one and may not be held to the same standard of care and communication.

Ongoing Care Training

Most Home care agencies offer continuing education caregiver training as a benefit for employees and as a way to keep quality of care high.  For many agencies, this training is mandatory. The individual personal care attendant may or may not continue to build upon their skills and knowledge.

Background Checks

Home care agencies routinely screen applicants carefully at the time of hire.  Many have several types of background checks. For independent personal attendants, it is your responsibility to check the background of the individual.

Variety of Care Available

With Home Care agencies you have access to a full range of care providers as the needs of your loved one change.   If the amount of care or the level of skill needed changes-home care agencies can fill your needs.  With the independent care provider- the skills are fixed to the particular individual, so if the needs of your loved one change you have to search for additional providers to help. This is not always practical in an emergency situation.

About Us

Unique HomeCare Services provides care for seniors and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery. We offer a full range of personal and in-home care services such as personal care, grooming and incontinence care, bathing and dressing, post-hospitalization care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, and medication management.

We also provide non-medical support services such as meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, caring companionship, shopping/errands, accompanying to medical and other appointments, as well as case management services.

We can also assist you with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval.

Our service area is Boston, Norwood, Dedham, Westwood, Walpole, Canton, Sharon, Stoughton, Avon, Braintree, Easton, Milton, Quincy, Weymouth, and surrounding towns.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation full In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs of you or your loved one please call us at (800) 296-9962 to speak to a Case Manager or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.

 

In-Home Care for Seniors Is Essential As Seniors Age

 

in homecare for seniors dedham

In-home care for seniors is one of the most essential services these days for helping seniors live at home for as long as possible.

Home Care Enables Seniors To Live Independently

Many seniors fear going into a nursing home or other institution and want to live at home for as long as possible.

You may have noticed signs that your loved one needs help.

Home care agencies provide a full range of in-home care services that enable seniors to live at home for as long as they are able. For some seniors, living at home gives them greater choice and freedom.

About Unique HomeCare Services

Unique HomeCare Services provides in-home care for elders and people who are recuperating from illness, injury, or surgery.

We offer a full range of in-home care services such as personal care, grooming and incontinence care, bathing and dressing, post-hospitalization care, Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, and medication management.

We also provide non-medical support services such as meal planning and preparation, light housekeeping, caring companionship, shopping/errands, accompanying to medical and other appointments, as well as case management services.

Our services are available for long-term and short-term care needs from as little as a one 4 hour day visit a week to 24 Hour and Live-In Care.

We also offer Respite Care services to assist family caregivers going away or with caregiver fatigue.

It is our pleasure to assist our veteran clients with VA Aid and Attendance Benefit approval at no cost.

We have an extensive Directory of Online Senior and Caregiver Resources for the information you need.

Our service area is Boston, Norwood, Dedham, Westwood, Walpole, Canton, Sharon, Stoughton, Avon, Braintree, Easton, Milton, Quincy, Weymouth, and surrounding towns.

To schedule a no cost and no obligation full In-Home Assessment to determine the home care needs of you or your loved one please call us at (800) 296-9962 to speak to a Case Manager or fill out our Free Quote Contact Form.