A Geriatric Care Manager can be a social worker, nurse, or other health and human service professional who is specifically trained in issues related to aging and elder care. One way to find a Geriatric Care Manager is through the National Association of Geriatric Care Manager’s website.
How Geriatric Care Managers Help Adult Children Care for Elderly Parents
The Geriatric Care Manager does what a family caregiver would do if he or she lived nearby and was caring for elderly parents. He or she can visit one's elderly parents in their home regularly or upon request in order to:
- assess the situation;
- determine what types of care may be helpful for the elderly parents, such as help with housekeeping or meals;
- advise on safety issues;
- determine whether or not the elderly parents are receiving proper medical care;
- determine if non-medical help is needed like errands, housecleaning, etc.;
- advise on whether or not the elderly parent(s) can live alone or if more care, such as in-home aids or an assisted living facility is needed;
- arrange for additional services.
The Geriatric Care Manager will keep in touch with the families of elderly parents to make recommendations and answer any concerns. In addition, he or she can help hire in-home aids or find an appropriate assisted living facility in the area designated by the family caregiver(s). The Geriatric Care Manager may also be able to suggest ways adult children can help care for their elderly parents from a distance.
Cost-Effectiveness of Hiring a Geriatric Care Manager
Many Geriatric Care Managers charge between $80 and $200 per hour. The cost may seem high, but if the alternative is taking time off from work and bearing the costs of traveling to care for elderly parents more frequently, the fee paid to the Geriatric Care Manager may seem like a bargain.
The Geriatric Care Manager is not a substitute for family visits. However he or she is an expert who can make recommendations and lessen the need for “working visits” to family, where the sole purpose is to locate resources, make arrangements for help, and do tasks. In addition, some Geriatric Care Managers can be called to help care for elderly parents in an emergency.
Getting Elderly Parents to Agree to Meet with the Geriatric Care Manager
Often elderly parents do not feel that they need help and would not be open to the idea of a visit with a Geriatric Care Manager. However, if parents are relying on their adult children for care or in emergencies, the adult children are entitled to provide that care in a way that they themselves are comfortable with. At the same time it is important to respect elderly parents desire and right to be as independent as possible. Rather than trying to get parents to accept help they do not see the need for, it may be wise to enlist them as helpers instead by explaining that it is not comfortable being so far away and that it would be helpful for you to have someone in their town you can rely on to help you help them.
The Problem of Long Distance Caregiving
At times the long distance caregiver feels guilty and unsettled. He or she may be worried about the condition of the elderly parents and have a gut instinct that they should not be left alone. Yet the caregiver is unable to be in two places at one time or to observe them on a daily basis. A Geriatric Care Manager can be the eyes and ears of the caregiver.
 |
