What is a Professional Geriatric Care Manager?
A Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PGCM) is a health and human services specialist who helps families who are caring for
older relatives. The PGCM is trained and experienced in any of several fields related to long-term care, including, but not
limited to nursing, gerontology, social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.
Huntington Home Care's Geriatric Care Managers assist older adults and persons with disabilities in attaining their maximum functional potential. In addition, our GCM
is an experienced guide and resource for families of older adults and others with chronic needs.
Since Huntington Home Care Geriatric Care Managers are members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM),
we are committed to adhering to the NAPGCM Pledge of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
Do I Really Need a Professional Geriatric Care Manager?
Evaluate whether you have the time, inclination, or skills to manage the challenges of geriatric care. If you are not sure, ask a trusted advisor
to help you decide if an elder care expert may be helpful. Enlisting the support of other family member to consult a professional is a good way to
build a consensus on the solutions. Questions that you may wish to consider:
- Are the problems that you or your loved ones are facing becoming larger and more complex than you can comfortably manage?
- Are other demands and responsibilities now so great that you are not able to provide the desired level of supervision and attention to your loved one's problems?
What is a Geriatric Assessment?
A geriatric assessment is a comprehensive evaluation designed to optimize an older person's ability to enjoy good health, improve their overall quality of life,
reduce the need for hospitalization and/or institutionalization, and enable them to live independently for as long as possible.
How do you know when a Geriatric Assessment is needed?
A request for a geriatric assessment would be appropriate when there are persistent or intermittent symptoms such as:
- Memory Loss
- Confusion
- Or other signs of possible dementia
How can a geriatric care manager help me?
Geriatric care managers facilitate the care selection process for family members who live at a distance from their elderly relatives, as well as for those who live
nearby but do not know how to tap into the appropriate local services.
You can hire a geriatric care manager for a single, specific task, such as helping you find a daily caregiver, or to oversee the entire caregiving process.
Geriatric care managers can help families or seniors who are:
- New to elder care or uncomfortable with elder care decision-making
- Having difficulty with any aspect of elder care
- Faced with a sudden decision or major change, such as a health crisis or a change of residence
- Dealing with a complex situation such as a psychiatric, cognitive, health, legal, or social issue
In addition to helping seniors and their families directly, geriatric care managers can act as your informed connection with a range of other professionals
who are part of your elder care network, including any of the following service providers:
- Attorneys or trust officers. A care manager can serve as both elder advocate and intermediary with financial and legal advisors.
The GCM is often a good source of referrals if a family needs services from these professionals.
- Physicians. The GCM is an ideal liaison between doctors and other health professionals, and the elder patient and family members.
- Social workers. It is useful for hospital and nursing home social workers and discharge planners to know that their senior patient will have
someone to coordinate their care and assist them on a long-term basis.
- Home care services. The GCM will know local agencies and be able to explain options, costs, and oversight of home care workers. The care manager can also
assist in dealing with patients' social issues, help link to other community resources, and suggest possible placement options.
- Residential facilities. The GCM can help identify types of care facilities and assist you in selecting an appropriate one for your situation. The GCM may also be able to
streamline the transition into or out of a senior community, for both the elderly resident, family members and staff.
Home
