Geriatric Care Managers

by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff

Image by Jenn Durfey via Flickr.com

As loved ones age, their families are faced with making sure their needs are met through geriatric care. This can be especially true when those loved ones have mental or medical conditions. Sometimes it can be stressful, as well as confusing and overwhelming, to figure out what to do when an aging loved one needs geriatric care.

What are Geriatric Care Managers?

Family and friends often are delegated as caregivers to aging loved ones without really knowing what is best for their long term geriatric care. Geriatric care managers can take over the responsibility of figuring out and managing those difficult tasks.

Geriatric Care Management vs. Family Care Management

No one solution is the magic one for all families. Each individual situation is different. In geriatric care management, geriatric care managers are assigned to be sure that loved ones are properly cared for at home, as well as in healthcare facilities. Family care management is when this responsibility is solely the responsibility of the loved one's family.

What do Geriatric Care Managers do?

Geriatric Care Managers perform various tasks to ensure that aged loved ones will get the care they require. This will be done according to the aging loved one's individual situation. Geriatric care managers will do this by visiting the home or long term care facility. They will meet with family members and staff to ensure that a loved one is receiving proper care. Things that might be checked upon are medicine frequency, proper hygiene, proper diet and any medical needs.

How to Choose a Geriatric Care Manager

When researching geriatric care managers, it is very important to look into multiple geriatric care managers. Your loved one's health and well being will be put into someone else's hand. Therefore, a wise choice is important. Ask as many questions about geriatric care as possible. Find out what types of services your loved one may need at any point in time.

Make a list and be sure to cover questions on those items with each of the geriatric care managers you speak with. Also ask each to explain what they do on a daily basis for the typical client's geriatric care. Some may even allow you to observe some of their daily tasks as a geriatric care manager. The most important thing to remember in the process of choosing between geriatric care managers is the wants and needs of your loved one.