Geriatric Care Managers Offer Long-Term Care Planning
Monday January 14, 2008
E-mail to a friend
| 
Print This |
Select Text Size:
advertisement
Mr. Clark was the caretaker for his wife, but his health had started to decline. The Clarks’ children, who live nearby, were concerned about how to help their parents. They were unsure about the extent of their parents’ needs, and they had little knowledge about available resources.
These scenarios are examples of situations in which a geriatric care manager (GCM) can help older individuals and their families with long-term care planning. A GCM most often is hired by a family member after an elderly individual has experienced a decline in mental or physical status. Families commonly seek these services because they are unsure about options or they live too far away from elderly relatives to be of assistance.
“Care managers help improve the quality of life for elderly individuals and their families by assessing the whole picture,” says Paula Brottman, an advanced practice nurse and GCM with CareGuide, which services the Midwest.
The care management process starts with a comprehensive assessment that evaluates the individual’s healthcare and psychosocial needs, day-to-day functional status, living environment, financial matters, and family involvement. A plan of care is established that addresses current and potential problems. The plan could involve the use of in-home caregivers; medication monitoring; use of community resources; structural changes to the home for safety, such as ramps and grab bars; or relocation of the patient to an assisted-living facility or nursing home.
The next step is to implement the plan. In Mrs. Quinn’s case, it was discovered she had a long-term care insurance policy that would help pay for a caregiver a few hours a day. The GCM helped her interview caregivers and also arranged for Meals on Wheels and found volunteers from Mrs. Quinn’s church to do daily checks and help with errands. Some medical issues were identified and treated, which helped to stabilize her mental status.
At other times a plan of action may mean helping the family relocate an elderly relative, as was the case for Mr. and Mrs. Clark, who relocated to an assisted-living facility that was within their financial limits and that fit with their physical needs.
“We have a case in which one of our GCMs literally saved the limb of one of our clients,” says Hardy. “The client, who has diabetes, was told he needed to have his leg amputated and there were no other options. Our care manager researched treatment options and found a new laser surgery treatment offered locally that could save the limb. The client had the treatment and six months later is doing well.”
GCM services are usually not covered by long-term care or other types of insurance plans, but because GCMs are helpful in decreasing overall health costs over the long term, families on tighter budgets often use them.
“Many families have told me and my staff that our services have saved them money, time, and emotional toil,” says Hardy.
GCMs can reduce overall care costs by identifying low-cost or no-cost community services, assisting with assessment for eligibility for benefits, and suggesting less costly care options.
Local senior centers or aging centers can assist in finding a GCM. Also, family members can check with employers to see if assistance in finding and paying for GCM services is offered as a benefit.
“Many people do not realize that some companies have added care manager resources as a benefit to assist employees with their caregiving responsibilities,” says Brottman.
Another important resource is the Geriatric Care Management Organization’s website at www.caremanager.org. The website provides general information about GCMs and listings of GCMs.
Marilyn Wideman, RN, MSN, director of academic nursing practice at Rush University College of Nursing, also owns a care management company, CareManagement Solutions.
To comment, e-mail editorIL@nursingspectrum.com
