Geriatric Care Management

What is a geriatric care manager?

A geriatric care manager (GCM) is a professional with specialized training and experience in the care of older adults. A geriatric care manager usually has a degree in gerontology, social work, psychology, or nursing. GCMs may also be called case managers, elder care managers, or care coordinators.

How can a geriatric care manager help?

GCMs can help when family members live far away from elderly relatives. They also help when family members live nearby but do not know how to find local services. They help make sure your loved one gets the best possible care and any benefits to which they are entitled.

A geriatric case manager helps coordinate and manage the care of older adults. This often includes:

• doing an assessment to identify problems, eligibility for assistance, and need for services
• coordinating medical services
• screening, arranging, and keeping an eye on home care or other services
• reviewing financial, legal, or medical issues and offering referrals
• providing crisis intervention for medical needs, for example, if the older adult has a heart attack, broken hip, or serious problems with confusion
• checking in with the older adult and alerting families to problems
• assisting with moving an older person to or from assisted living or a nursing facility.

What does geriatric care management cost?

Fees for geriatric care managers can range from $50 to $200 per hour, depending on where you live and what services you need. Fees for private case managers are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid. Some health plans do cover these services. Check with your healthcare insurance company to find out if care management is offered. Long-term care insurance usually includes care management.

If you cannot afford a private care manager, call your local Area Agency on Aging. They can refer you to a city, county, or nonprofit agency that offers low-cost or no-cost geriatric care management.

Some states have a Medicaid waiver program that provides geriatric care management for people 65 and older who qualify for both nursing facility placement and Medicaid.

How do I find a geriatric care manager?

A good place to start your search for a geriatric care manager is with your healthcare provider. You might also check with:

• your local Area Agency on Aging (call 1-800-677-1116 for the AAA in your area)
• local hospitals and HMOs
• senior centers
• churches and religious organizations
• community mental health or human service agencies
• Yellow Page listings for senior services, care management, or home healthcare agencies.

There are no state or national regulations for geriatric care managers. Anyone can call themselves a case or care manager. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers requires continuing education and testing in order to certify someone as a geriatric care manager. The NAPGCM provides a national directory on their Web site: http://caremanager.findlocation.com/.

What questions should I ask?

To help you decide on the right GCM, you may want to ask the following questions:

• Is the GCM recommended by a person or professional organization you respect?
• What education and experience does the GCM have?
• What experience does the GCM have with your elder's particular problems, struggles, or diagnosis?
• Can the care manager provide references from past clients?
• Is the GCM licensed or certified as a psychologist, nurse, or social worker?
• Ask about the fees and fee schedule. Is the GCM covered by your health insurance plan?
• Above all, are you and your loved one comfortable with the care manager and do you both trust him or her?