How to Choose a Geriatric Care Manager

How to Choose a Geriatric Care Manager

Geriatric care managers (GCMs), often referred to as Aging Life Care Professionals, help guide families through the process of planning for and monitoring a senior’s ongoing health needs. These professionals may assist with setting up home care services, scheduling social activities, explain financial issues, aid in the choice of the best housing arrangements, or manage medical appointments. 

Although hiring a geriatric care manager comes with significant benefits, it’s crucial to find someone who is well qualified and suited for your unique situation. We’ve talked to the experts to put together some helpful guidelines for choosing one. 

Know where to start your search 

The first step in choosing a geriatric care manager is to know where to begin searching, and the best place to start your search is with the Aging Life Care Association. This organization requires members to meet strict requirements for experience, certification, and education, and they offer tools that allow you to search for a GCM by zip code or region. You can also check with local medical professionals or elder law attorneys for referrals. 

Ask about their credentials

Checking into the credentials of a geriatric care manager is just as important as when choosing a physician. Find out whether the GCM you’re considering is a certified member of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA). Certification with the ALCA is very stringent, and professionals certified by the ALCA are required to stay current with continuing education to maintain certification. ALCA members also must adhere to a very strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practices.

You can  find out if they belong to any other professional organizations focused on aging, such as the American Society on Aging, National Association of Social Workers or if they actively follow research and guidance from the National Council on Aging or Gerontological Society of America. 

Check into their experience and expertise 

Check their LinkedIn site or personal professional page. Look for  experience in geriatric care management and direct work with older adults and their families before making your decision. Ask about their education. Qualified geriatric care managers have typically completed education in gerontology, social work, psychology, and/or nursing. Beyond their training, find out how long they’ve been working in this field. It’s also wise to check into specific expertise and experience. For example, if your parent suffers from a particular health condition, look for someone who has plenty of knowledge and practice in that area. If your loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia, it’s critical that the geriatric care manager have some experience in delivering support to dementia caregivers.

Discuss availability 

One of the critical parts of caring for seniors is the ability to be able to respond to emergencies quickly. When choosing a geriatric care manager, inquire about their availability to ensure it’s convenient for your loved one and matches their needs. A GCM will be involved with most of your parent’s major medical processes, including emergencies, so you’ll want to look for someone who offers around-the-clock availability in the case of a crisis. It may also be helpful to consider care managers who work as part of a team, so that there is some available and informed at all times.

Consider the cost of services 

Prices fluctuate throughout the United States, and Medicare and Medicaid won’t cover a geriatric care manager’s fees. Their fees may include not only an initial assessment fee but also an hourly rate or monthly retainer. If you’re not sure of the going rates in your area, call several GCMs to compare prices. As you’re considering the cost of services, remember that in the long run, a geriatric care manager is likely to help you save money. If you’re in the workforce, a GCM can alleviate the caregiving tasks, which end up saving you time, stress and improve your overall wellbeing as a caregiver.

Make sure it’s the right personal fit

While it’s essential to consider training, experience, credentials, and cost, don’t forget to make sure you choose the geriatric care manager that is the right personal fit for your loved one. A GCM spends a significant amount of time interacting with a senior and their entire family, so be sure that you have positive chemistry between everyone involved. Personalities need to mesh, and both you and your parents need to feel comfortable with the GCM you choose. 

Also keep in mind that in order for a GCM to do their job effectively, they will need access to personal information; health histories, insurance information, date of birth and often even social security numbers.  This information helps the GCM relay important information to providers as part of the process of making appointments, securing diagnoses and picking up medicine, to name a few.  It’s advisable to have a written and signed outline of the work your GCM will and will not undertake to ensure clarity among all parties.

Questions to ask before hiring a geriatric care manager 

Other questions to ask when choosing a geriatric care manager include: 

• Is your fee for an initial consultation? If so, how much?
• What are the primary services that you provide?
• What is your approach to managing emergency situations?
• How will you communicate information to the family?
• Can you give me a list of your fees in writing?
• Can you offer me professional references?
• Do you have references from other families you’ve worked with in the past?
• How long have you been working in this community?
• Do you work with a team of other GCMs that would be brief to parents’ case?
   

Finding the right geriatric care managers can make a lasting impact on the health and happiness of your care recipient, and can also improve family dynamics and reduce stress for caregivers.  If you’re struggling with your caregiving role for any reason, take time to look into how a geriatric care manager can help.