How Geriatric Care Management Can Benefit the Elderly and Their Families

A geriatric case manager is a healthcare professional whose knowledge and resources for providing care for the elderly is invaluable to the family of a senior citizen. Since many relatives live far away and long-distance elder care is difficult to provide to their loved one in need, finding a qualified case manager to provided needed elder care relieves family stress and guilt caused by geographical distance and inaccessibility.

Geriatric care management, however, does not relieve the family of its responsibilities. After assessing the client's needs and discussing any medical and non-medical concerns with the family, this professional can draw up a comprehensive healthcare plan for the patient; act as an advocate, arranging and attending care services on behalf of all parties; and provide other healthcare options that the client and/or family may not have realized are available.

A geriatric case manager is an objective third party who can accurately assess what an elder person needs and what problems or challenges may not be readily apparent to the family. Additionally, having a geriatric care management program in place allows family members to enjoy their elderly loved one without guilt, shame, or feelings of powerlessness that often overwhelm them without such help.

Perhaps the most valuable input provided by this type of healthcare professional is monitoring the patient and communicating findings back to the family. It is ultimately the responsibility of the family to implement any care plan recommended by the geriatric case manager. When a family member is living far away, having a professional providing the "eyes and ears" for care of a loved one is priceless.

The field of caring for the elderly is burgeoning as record numbers of people are joining the ranks of senior citizen status. The cost of a geriatric case manager ranges anywhere from $80-200 an hour, but when one considers other alternatives, such as having to take vacation or unpaid leave from work plus traveling long distances for a wellness check, or hiring in-home healthcare aides, geriatric care management is a viable solution to a daunting problem facing more families every day.