Home > Hot Topics > Caregiver Burnout > When to Consider a Geriatric Care Manager
Topics

ArticlesArticles

Comments for "When to Consider a Geriatric Care Manager"

COMMENTS
10 Responses to “When to Consider a Geriatric Care Manager”
  1. ShirleyB Says:

    Arleen,

    I wish I had know about you went I went through all this stuff with my dad. I lived in another state and SO WISH someone would have mentioned the idea of a geriatric care manager. I used to fly back and forth on the weekends and my husbnd and I depleted so much of our savings getting homecare during the week.

    Now my friends are going through the same stuff and I was right there "screaming' (well not quite screaming) how hiring a care manager would really help them out. I'll definitely be pointing them in the direction of your blog.

    Would love to hear you speak to how hiring a care manager can actually save you money in the long run. I don't think they believe me.

    Thanks for all the helpful info!!!

  2. Dirty Butter Says:

    It's hard to see spending more money than we already are. I would have to be convinced that hiring someone would save me money in the long run. I can certainly see the need for someone like this if the family members don't live close to each other, though.

  3. Arleen Stern Says:

    Dear Shirley B,

    Thanks for your kind words. You are absolutely right. Long-distance
    care giving does complicate things, and a local knowledgeable
    trustworthy geriatric care manager stepping in can make a tremendous
    difference. Can this save you money? It well might. Think about all
    those last-minute plane fares, lost work, meals on the run, etc.

    And even if there is a financial cost in the end, it is still worth
    considering. There can be great cost in physical wear-and-tear and
    psychological exhaustion caused by the stress of caring for elderly loved ones—particularly when they are in crisis or you are at a distance. The stress is exacerbated by the rest of your responsibilities, such as holding down a job, taking care of children or a spouse or a friend—all of life's details often require your attention at the same time.

    We Americans often think we must do it all ourselves. Let's re-think
    here. We can all use help. All of us do better with a team around us
    helping and advising. That's what friends and professionals are for.
    We're all holding each other up in this world.

    Be well,

    Arleen

  4. Arleen Stern Says:

    Hi there,

    Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Some of you out there are naturals and feel a satisfaction in holding together the many pieces involved in caring for a loved one. But as I noted to the person who first responded to my blog, the costs of care giving are often times greater than any dollar amount, even if you live just around the corner and especially if you're care giving from afar.

    And here is another thought. A care manager who knows the resources can often get information quickly, saving the time and aggravation of making many phone calls and visits. This can ultimately mean a savings of dollars and more importantly of sanity!

    Be well,

    Arleen

  5. Jill Gilbert Says:

    When I first learned that care managers existed, I thought the same thing that Dirty Butter thought. Why would I spend the money on something I could probably do myself?

    After hearing so many horror stories about families wasting thousands of dollars looking for resources and then making costly mistakes along the way, I soon learned of their importance - especially a good one!

    There is no way everyone could afford them, but I think they are worth their weight in gold. I'm going to pull part of our text from Gilbert Guide, Chapter 1. It speaks to the importance of getting a care assessment (at the very least) by a qualified GCM.

    "A care assessment is a comprehensive evaluation that identifies the care needs of an individual. The objective of an assessment is to draft a plan of care, which is based on the health, social, emotional and physical needs of that person. There are two sources for obtaining a care assessment: case managers and geriatric care managers (GCMs).

    Case managers and geriatric care managers are trained to recognize telltale signs in your loved one that indicate specific needs—signs that are clear to trained professionals, but which you may not be able to recognize yourself. A care assessment ensures that you will be focused on what to look for. In the long run, this will prevent frustrating wrong turns, save you time and money, and ensure that your loved one receives the appropriate care.

    Getting a professional care assessment up front is one of the strongest recommendations Gilbert Guide can make. The average cost of an assessment runs between $300–$900. Care managers usually charge by the hour, and the cost of an individual assessment depends on the amount of time it takes to conduct."

    We at Gilbert Guide recognize financial constraints, however, we feel compelled to point out solutions that will ultimately save money in the end (and hopefully eliminate hours and hours of frustration and heartache)...Jill

  6. elvis957 Says:

    My sister and I live nearby our parents but are looking at an assessment. There is so much conflict as to what type of care they need/don't need. To bring in someone objective, with no emotional ties to the situation, is the best thing for us and them.

  7. mommis Says:

    I'm ready for more help with and for my husband, and want to be prepared with an Alzheimer Care Home. Now that I've spent the most of the past 36 hours reading, I feel more educated and realistic. Getting help from a geriatric care manager seems like a no brainer. Now, must choose one of the many.

  8. Jill Gilbert Says:

    Mommis,
    If you are in one of the areas we've reviewed already, I suggest you search our database for Geriatric Care Managers that have been awarded the Gilbert Guide Seal of Excellence @ http://www.gilbertguide.com. We also have listings of Alzheimer's Care Facilities.

    If you happen live outside of those areas, you should visit the National Association for Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) website @ http://www.caremanager.org. Good luck with your search....Jill

  9. Arleen Stern Says:

    Great, and good luck in your search. Keep in mind that hiring a care manager is like hiring any employee. Look for competence and a good fit with you and your family. Feel free to ask for references—and ask those references about your particular concerns and listen carefully. All the best to you.

  10. Marge Says:

    Hello,
    Great advice on the need and benefits from hiring a Professional Geriatric Care Manager. However, PLEASE NOTE: Not all Care Managers are alike. In this day and age when the industry is booming and people are hanging out shingles right and left offering "senior services", many have little or no education, training, licensing or certification in the field of Geriatrics. Likewise, many are calling themselves "Geriatric Care Managers" with little or no meaningful credentials. Many have a certification called CSA(Certified Senior Advisor) that can be obtained in as little as 2 days, with the only education and/or experience requirement is 1 week (50 hours) volunteering in a senior capacity. CSA is meant to be a supplement to other degrees, certifications and does not qualify one to be a Geriatric Care Manager. Please check credentials BEFORE you hire. Questions to ask your potential GCM are:
    1) Are they a full member (those qualified to be called a PGCM) of the NAPGCM?
    2) Do they hold an advanced degree in a related major such as Social Work, Gerontology, or Psychology? Which discipline best matches your needs?
    3) Are they a certified Care Manager CMC or CCM?
    4) Years of experience Care Managing or working in the field of aging?

Leave a Comment