Geriatric Care Manager

By Toghers

An Overview

A geriatric Care Manager is a professional who can help families determine what care is needed and what options exist to provide that care. Care Managers can have a variety of backgrounds including nursing, social work, gerontology, psychology, long term care, and health and human services. Care Managers should be aware of local services, facilities, and resources that would be most appropriate for the care recipient based on an initial assessment.

Specific Tasks a Care Manager can Perform

• Comprehensively assess your care recipient’s strengths and needs
• Make recommendations for care options
• Make recommendations and arrangements for in-home care
• Make recommendations and arrangements for long term care placement
• Establish a plan of care
• Make recommendations for additional services
• Oversee the health and care of your loved one
• Coordinate multiple services and schedules involved in the care
• Oversee medication management

How do I find a Care Manager?

• Look under Geriatric Care Managers or Senior Care Managers in your local yellow pages
• Call your local senior center
• Call your local Area Agency on Aging (call 1-800-677-1116 to find your local AAA)
• Do an online search for “geriatric care manager YOUR CITY”

Are Care Managers certified or licensed?

There are currently no requirements by state or national regulation that Care Managers be licensed or certified. There are some professional organizations that certify or validate that members uphold certain training and standards of care. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers recognizes several designations for Care Managers.

How do I choose a Care Manager?

Finding a Care Manager who will work best with your situation takes careful thought and consideration. We recommend that you consider what you need before you call prospective agencies, and prepare a list of some questions you intend to ask. There are Care Managers who work independently as well as agencies that have a number of Care Managers available.

We recommend that you use our Care Manager checklist to thoroughly consider what you need and what questions to ask each potential Care Manager.

Who pays for Care Managers?

While some long term care insurance may pay for Care Managers, most people pay privately for Care Management services. Medicare does not pay for Care Managers.

How much does a Care Manager cost?

Care Mangers may charge either an hourly fee or a flat rate fee for a specific outcome. Hourly fees typically range from $50 - $200 per hour. Flat rates will vary based on what is involved.

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