A Geriatric Care Manager is a health and human services specialist who helps families who
are caring for older relatives. The Geriatric Care Manager is trained and experienced in any of
several fields related to care management, including, but not limited to nursing, gerontology,
social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.
The Geriatric Care Manager assists older adults and persons with disabilities in attaining their
maximum functional potential. In addition, the Geriatric Care Manager is an experienced
guide and resource for families of older adults and others with chronic needs, including
helping those suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease or Parkinsons or exhibiting
symptoms of dementia.
Geriatric care managers who are members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric
Care Managers (NAPGCM) are committed to adhering to the NAPGCM Pledge of Ethics and
Standards of Practice.
What Can a Geriatric Care Manager Do for Me?
- Conduct care-planning assessments to identify problems and to provide solutions solutions.
- Screen, arrange, and monitor in-home help or other services, including assistance in hiring a qualified caregiver for home care.
- Provide short- or long-term eldercare assistance for those engaged in local or long distance caregiving.
- Review financial, legal, or medical issues and offer referrals to geriatric specialists.
- Provide crisis intervention.
- Act as a liaison to families at a distance, overseeing care, and quickly alerting families to problems – especially important when families are engaged in long distance caregiving for a loved one.
- Assist with moving an older person to or from a retirement complex, assisted care home, or nursing home.
- Provide consumer education and advocacy.
- Offer eldercare counseling and support.
- Some Geriatric Care Managers also provide family or individual therapy, finance management, conservatorship or guardianship assistance, and/or care giving services.
Excerpt from The National Association of Professional Geriatric Case Managers http://
www.caremanager.org/index.cfm
