Search this site:

Aging Parents and Adult Children Together

Aging Parents and Adult Children Together

Aging Parents and Adult Children Together (A/PACT)

SELECTING A GERIATRIC CARE MANAGER

(Eighth in a 10-part series)

Your elderly aunt is widowed and lives alone. You’re the only family member she has to care for her. Her long-time health problems have become debilitating. You know she needs help but, because you live far away, you don’t know exactly what she needs or where to look for help. Someone suggests that you contact a geriatric care manager. What is a care manager and how can you find a good one?

A geriatric care manager (GCM) is a professional who specializes in helping older people and their families with long-term care arrangements. GCMs often have training in gerontology, social work, nursing or counseling. They also have extensive knowledge about the cost, quality and availability of services in an older person’s community. As a result, GCMs can help:

Choose a GCM carefully. The field of geriatric care management is relatively unregulated and many people without specialized training identify themselves as care managers, care coordinators or care advisors. Therefore, it’s wise to screen candidates to ensure that you’re working with a person qualified in this new profession.

While there are no licensing requirements for GCMs, there are certification programs. Ask each candidate you interview if he or she is certified, and by whom.

Confusion about fees and billing can be a problem. Be sure you understand the GCM’s billing rates and how charges are calculated. Fees vary depending on the GCM’s work setting — private practice, public agency or private non-profit agency. Get a written service agreement that outlines the fee structure and practices.

Finally, ask GCM candidates if they subscribe to a code of ethics or are guided by professional standards of practice. Get a copy of the standards. They should deal with the right to privacy, fiduciary responsibilities, full disclosure, fostering self-determination, fees, continuing education and professional relationships. Ask how complaints are handled.

For More Information

You can find GCMs through:

Private non-profit organizations that promote standards for geriatric care managers include:

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
1604 North Country Club Road
Tucson, AZ 85716-3102
(520) 881-8008; Fax: (520) 325-7925

National Council on Aging
409 Third Street, SW
Suite 200
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 479-1200; fax: (202) 479-0735

Case Management Society of America
8201 Cantrell Road, Suite 230
Little Rock, AR 72227
(501) 225-2229; fax: (501) 221-9068

Go back to mainpage    Next

Search this site:


Get the Savvy Consumer Newsletter! (FREE)