Geriatric Care Management represents a specialized field dedicated to enhancing the lives of elderly individuals and their families. Geriatric Care Managers (GCMs), with their expertise in nursing, social work, psychology or gerontology, are pivotal in navigating the complexities of aging, ensuring that seniors receive tailored care that respects their independence and dignity. 

Key Takeaways

  • Understanding Geriatric Care Management: Defining geriatric care management and explaining why you may need this service.
  • Services Provided by Geriatric Care Managers: Describing the various roles that geriatric care managers serve for their patients and families.
  • Geriatric Care Manager Rates and Ways to Pay: Discussing the cost of geriatric care manager services and explaining how families pay for this type of care.
  • How Do I Find a Geriatric Care Manager? Offering strategies to find a geriatric care manager that fits your family’s needs

Understanding Geriatric Care Management

What Does a Geriatric Care Manager Do?

A geriatric care manager is not just a health care professional but a compassionate guide and advocate for the elderly and their families. These managers perform a critical role in assessing requirements, planning care strategies, coordinating services across providers, setting up in-home care and adjusting plans as the senior’s needs change.

  • Personalized Assessments: GCMs start by conducting thorough assessments of the senior’s physical, mental and emotional health, considering their social needs, living conditions and personal preferences.
  • Care Planning: They craft detailed care plans that outline necessary services, adjustments and interventions required to meet the identified needs.
  • Coordination and Advocacy: Geriatric care managers coordinate care among different health care providers, advocate for the senior’s needs and ensure that the care provided is in the best interest of the senior.
  • Locate community resources: Geriatric Care Managers not only navigate a network of local community resources but are also continuously exploring new services, technologies and tools. This proactive approach ensures caregiving is made more manageable, and seniors are equipped with aids that promote their independence and mobility, safeguarding their quality of life. 

Why Geriatric Care Management is Essential

The aging process can bring about various challenges, including chronic health issues, mobility limitations and the need for social support. GCMs play a crucial role in:

  • Enhancing the senior’s quality of life by ensuring they receive appropriate, personalized care.
  • Helping seniors maintain as much independence as possible, respecting their autonomy and preferences.
  • Supporting families by navigating the health care system, reducing stress and preventing caregiver burnout.
Did You Know? A geriatric care manager is like an eldercare quarterback. They coordinate all the different moving parts of senior care, from logistics and scheduling to emotional support and family mediation. 

Services Provided by Geriatric Care Managers

Geriatric Care Managers offer a wide array of services tailored to the unique needs of the elderly and their families. Their roles vary greatly but commonly include:

Service Category

Activities

Objectives

Assessment and Planning

  • Conduct initial and ongoing assessments 
  • Develop personalized care plans
  • Identify needs and goals
  • Outline strategies to meet identified needs

Medical Advocacy

  • Accompany to appointments
  • Communicate with health care providers
  • Ensure medical needs are met
  • Advocate for the senior's health interests

Daily Living Assistance

  • Coordinate nonmedical support services
  • Advise on daily activity management
  • Enhance independence and safety
  • Improve quality of daily living

Coordination of Care

  • Liaise with health care and service providers
  • Manage care transitions
  • Streamline service provision
  • Facilitate seamless care across settings

Emotional and Psychological Support

  • Provide counseling and support to seniors and families
  • Mediate family discussions
  • Support mental and emotional well-being
  • Foster family harmony

Legal and Financial Guidance

  • Assist with financial planning and management
  • Navigate legal concerns related to aging
  • Secure resources for care needs
  • Ensure legal preparedness for aging-related issues
Tip: If your loved one needs residential care such as assisted living, memory care or nursing home care, the geriatric care manager helps to find the most suitable home for your situation and budget. What’s more, some geriatric care managers help with day-to-day care such as picking up prescriptions, taking your loved one to adult day care or doctor appointments or visiting for regular check-ins.

Geriatric Care Manager Rates and Ways to Pay

Navigating the financial landscape of geriatric care management requires understanding various cost factors and payment options, including considerations for veterans and the potential for cost savings.

GCM Service Costs: The cost of hiring a private geriatric care manager ranges from $90 to $250 per hour, with initial assessments potentially costing between $800 and $2,000, depending on the region. For those seeking more affordable options, local government agencies and charitable organizations may provide services at reduced rates or based on income levels.

Insurance Coverage: It’s important to note that Medicare, Medicaid and most private insurance plans, including those covering long-term care, do not typically cover the costs of private GCM services.

Cost-Benefit Considerations: Despite the lack of insurance coverage, investing in a geriatric care manager can lead to significant savings for families. This is due to the potential reduction in the need for family members to manage care (thereby mitigating lost wages), improved care outcomes that can decrease the costs associated with hospital readmissions and health complications and reduced emergency travel for out-of-state family members.

Veterans Benefits: Veterans may have access to Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM), which provides comprehensive assessments similar to geriatric care management services but is covered under veterans’ benefits. This program is designed to create customized care plans, including treatment, rehabilitation and social services, tailored to the individual needs of the veteran. Eligibility criteria apply for those seeking to use these benefits.

Additional Costs: Budgeting for GCM services should also account for potential additional charges, such as long-distance calls, mileage and travel time.

By thoroughly understanding these aspects, families can make informed decisions when considering geriatric care management services, balancing the costs with the substantial benefits and support these professionals provide to elderly individuals and their caregivers.

How Do I Find the Right Geriatric Care Manager?

Find the perfect geriatric care manager to meet your needs with our extensive national listings. Our detailed guidance on evaluating geriatric care management services equips you to make a well-informed decision tailored to your specific requirements.

To find a local geriatric care manager, simply enter your city, state or zip code in the search box at the top of the page, or select from one of the states or metro areas listed below.

Top Cities for Geriatric Care Managers

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