By Jennifer Douds, OTR/L
Caring for an aging parent or loved one can be overwhelming. Millions of family caregivers juggle demanding roles, balancing work, personal lives, and caregiving responsibilities. It’s no wonder many report feeling burned out, with 40% citing emotional stress as their biggest challenge, according to a 2023 AARP report.
The good news? You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Geriatric Care Managers offer clarity, support, and expert guidance to help ease your load.
What is Geriatric Care Management?
Geriatric Care Management takes a holistic, client-centered approach to supporting older adults and their families. Geriatric Care Managers (GCM) are trained experts—often licensed social workers, nurses, or other healthcare professionals— who provide tailored care solutions and act as trusted advocates.
Sometimes called “professional relatives,” they bring extensive training and a compassionate touch to caregiving, helping families identify challenges, explore solutions, and create actionable care plans.
How Can Geriatric Care Managers Help?
When caregiving becomes overwhelming, GCMs offer personalized solutions to meet your family’s unique needs. Services include:
- Care Plan Coordination: Crafting a customized care plan that addresses your loved one’s needs, from medical care, social engagement, to fiscal management or home safety and prioritizes your well-being as a caregiver.
- Resource Navigation: Connecting you to trusted professionals and services with deep knowledge of costs, quality, and availability, saving you time and reducing stress.
- Assessment and Monitoring: Ensuring care plans remain effective with regular evaluations and adjustments to meet evolving challenges.
- Crisis Intervention: Providing stability during emergencies and advocating for quality care by navigating medical systems.
- Family Caregiver Coaching: Listening to concerns and offering strategies to manage responsibilities, reduce stress, and navigate complex care situations with confidence.
GCMs also help address sensitive topics, such as evaluating in-home care or exploring alternative living arrangements, with objectivity and empathy.
Advocacy at the Core
GCMs are strong advocates for older adults, ensuring their needs and preferences are respected across medical, social, and care settings. This advocacy gives families peace of mind, knowing someone is always looking out for their loved one’s best interests.
Why Consider Geriatric Care Management?
Geriatric Care Management is especially helpful if you’re caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, developmental disabilities, chronic illness, or other complex needs. It’s also invaluable for long-distance caregivers.
With on-the-ground support, GCMs can provide regular updates, coordinate care, attend medical appointments, and ensure your loved one receives consistent, high-quality care.
How Much Does It Cost?
Geriatric Care Managers typically charge hourly, with services ranging from single consultations to ongoing support. While Medicare and Medicaid do not cover these costs, some long-term care insurance policies may offer partial reimbursement. Many families find the peace of mind and time saved worth the investment.
What Sets Geriatric Care Management Apart?
Geriatric Care Management stands out for its holistic approach, addressing not just the needs of the aging adult but the entire family dynamic. GCMs tackle emotional concerns, logistical challenges, and caregiving stress while ensuring older adults receive the highest standard of care.
They’re problem-solvers, providing solutions from home visits and medical coordination to emotional support and caregiver coaching. Their goal is to make caregiving manageable and less stressful for families.
When to Reach Out
If caregiving feels overwhelming, a GCM can provide clarity, reassurance, and practical solutions for both single issues and ongoing support.
Your Partner in Care
Caregiving is a journey—but it doesn’t have to be one you take alone. Geriatric Care Managers are here to guide you, offering expertise, compassion, and personalized strategies to ensure your loved one receives the best care.
With the right support, you can balance caregiving responsibilities while finding peace of mind. Let a Geriatric Care Manager help you navigate this important journey with confidence.
