As people age, they may face a variety of health and social challenges.

In many cases, these challenges require the assistance of specialized professionals who can help seniors navigate the complex healthcare system and manage their care needs.

Geriatric care managers are professionals who are trained to provide this kind of support.

The demands of properly taking care of a senior also progress as the illness progresses.

The needs change over time and become rather unique and extremely overwhelming.

Luckily, Geriatric care managers can also help with this. Look at it as your divine answer to constant Caregiver Burnout . In this article, we will explore who geriatric care managers are, what they do, and why they are important.

Who is a Geriatric Care Manager?

A geriatric care manager (GCM) is a professional who specializes in assisting elderly individuals and their families to manage the various aspects of their healthcare and daily life.

They are typically trained in nursing, social work, psychology, or related fields and have expertise in working with seniors.

Geriatric care managers can provide a wide range of services, including conducting assessments to determine an individual’s care needs, developing care plans, coordinating medical appointments, managing medications, providing advocacy and support, and coordinating services provided by other healthcare professionals.

What Does a Geriatric Care Manager Do?

Geriatric care managers are responsible for coordinating and managing the care of elderly individuals.

They work closely with healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, and therapists, to ensure that seniors receive the best possible care.

One of the key roles of a geriatric care manager is to conduct an assessment of the elderly individual’s needs.

This may include assessing their physical, social, and emotional well-being, as well as evaluating their living situation and support network .

Based on this assessment, the geriatric care manager will develop a care plan that outlines the services and support the individual needs.

Once the care plan is in place, the geriatric care manager will coordinate the various services required to implement the plan.

This may include coordinating medical appointments, managing medications, arranging for in-home care services, and providing support and advocacy to the individual and their family.

Questions to Ask before hiring

• Don’t be in a hurry. Conduct an interview
• Ensure the person is licensed.
• Check for patient-physician chemistry before hiring.
• Determine the cost.
• Seek other client references
• Understand the scope of their services
• Ensure that they have past experience in handling the specific challenge your loved one is facing.

Why are Geriatric Care Managers Important?

Geriatric care managers play a critical role in supporting elderly individuals and their families.

They have expertise in navigating the complex healthcare system and can help seniors access the care and support they need to maintain their independence and quality of life.

In addition to providing practical support, geriatric care managers also provide emotional support to seniors and their families.

They are trained to identify and address the emotional and social needs of seniors, which can be just as important as their physical needs.

Geriatric care managers also help to reduce the burden on family members who may be providing care to elderly relatives.

By coordinating and managing the care of seniors, geriatric care managers can help to alleviate the stress and anxiety that often comes with providing care for elderly family members.

You can consult the ElderLocator to learn more about how to get this help.

Conclusion

Geriatric care managers play an important role in supporting elderly individuals and their families.

They have expertise in navigating the complex healthcare system and can help seniors access the care and support they need to maintain their independence and quality of life.

They present themselves as a lifeline and a breath of fresh air.

If you or a loved one is facing the challenges of aging, consider working with a geriatric care manager to ensure that you receive the support and care you need. You can also learn more tips to personally handle other seniors’ aggressive behaviors here.