- Do I really need a Geriatric Care Manager?
- What should I ask when looking for a PGCM?
- Questions to ask when choosing a particular PGCM
Do I really need a Geriatric Care Manager?
- Are the problems that you or your loved ones are facing becoming larger or more complex than you can comfortably manage?
- Are other demands and responsibilities now so great that you are not able to provide the desired level of supervision and attention to your loved one's problems?
What should I ask when looking for a PGCM?
It is important for the wise consumer to ask questions. Some of these include:
- Are you a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers?
- Are you certified as a care manager? Do you hold other professional licenses or certifications?
- How long have you been providing care management services?
- Are you available for emergencies?
- Does your company also provide home care services?
- How will you communicate information to me?
- Can you provide me with references?
Care managers do not specialize in all areas. When a care manager says he/she practices "care management," find out which matters he/she handles. You will want to hire someone who regularly handles clients in the area of your concern.
Care managers who primarily work with older adults bring more to their practice than an expertise in geriatrics. They bring knowledge of aging issues that allow them and their staff to overcome the myths relating to aging and to focus on the problems at hand. At the same time, they will bring an experience of working with resources in your community. They are more aware of real life problems, health and otherwise, that emerge as persons age and what tools are available to address them. They are tied into a formal or informal system of social workers, nurses, psychologists, elder law attorneys, advocates, and other elder care professionals who may be of assistance to you.
Questions to ask when choosing a particular PGCM
Ask lots of questions before choosing your care manager. In addition to the above questions, you should also ask:
- What are the primary services provided by this agency/business?
- What other services does this agency/business provide?
- How many care managers are there in this agency/business?
- Is there a fee for the initial consultation and if so, how much is it?
- Given the nature of your problem, what information should you bring with you to the initial consultation?
- Should other family members/friends/caregivers come to the initial consultation?
- What will the initial consultation include?
The answers to your questions will assist you in determining whether that particular care manager and agency/business has the qualifications important to you for a successful relationship. If you have a specific issue that requires immediate attention, be sure to inform the care manager of this during the initial telephone conversation.