Silicon Valley Elder Law Attorney: What Is a Geriatric Care Manager and How Do They Help?

A geriatric care manager is typically a nurse, counselor, social worker, or other professional that can provide necessary services for long-term care planning. They can guide you during the process of determining the best care for your loved one and advocate for their rights.

Seeking assistance from a geriatric care manager can alleviate some of the stress that comes with making decisions regarding long-term care and other essential plans for your loved one’s health and future. They’re particularly useful if you’re a long-distance caregiver and require help taking care of an aging parent or another family member from afar.

Responsibilities of a Geriatric Care Manager

A geriatric care manager will need to complete an assessment of your loved one before doing anything else. The assessment can include obtaining information about the senior’s nutritional needs, activity level, health issues, financial standing, and other vital facts.

After gathering the details they need to know, the care manager can move on to creating a plan of care and determining the types of services and resources your loved one may require. In-home evaluations may result in additional adjustments to the care plan if your loved one’s health, finances, or other factors change.

The main responsibilities of a geriatric care manager include:

• Coordinating medical services with agencies
• Providing a comprehensive assessment of the older adult’s basic needs
• Providing guidance to the senior and their family members during the transition to long-term care
• Addressing concerns and answering questions regarding the process
• Making short-term and long-term care plans
• Hiring a team of healthcare professionals to treat the older adult
• Relieving stress the caregiver might feel while providing for their loved one
• Guiding the family through complicated problems and obstacles that arise
• Calculating expenses and offering advice on finances
• Advising the family on decisions about the senior’s health, living situation, and other scenarios
• Communicating with doctors to ensure the senior receives the medical care they need

Cost of Hiring a Geriatric Care Manager

Most insurance companies don’t cover services provided by geriatric care managers. However, you might have access to other resources for financial assistance.

For example, an employee assistance program can cover some of the fees associated with geriatric services so you can focus on your job and spend less time away from your work-related responsibilities to take care of your loved one.

Fees and costs can vary, but many geriatric care managers charge by the hour. Although paying hundreds of dollars might seem daunting, you’re likely to save money in the long run. Since geriatric care managers perform thorough assessments of the needs of seniors, you likely won’t waste money on unnecessary services.

Caring for an older family member can be overwhelming. If you’re considering seeking services from a geriatric care manager, you should consult a Silicon Valley elder law attorney. We can provide the guidance you need to make the right decisions regarding your loved one’s care and refer you to trusted professionals in our community. For help getting started, contact our Santa Clara office at 408-889-1290.