In the short time he has been under the care of Senior Care Options, there has been a marked turnaround in his health and attitude.  He is also getting the meds I have ordered, as I have ordered them.

The complete driving evaluation is performed to test: vision, reaction time, problem solving and behind the wheel skills. Many hospitals and rehab clinics offer this service, and Medicare may pay for a portion of the assessment.

Be very sensitive, this is a loss of independence, and it will be hard to hear. However, for the safety of the older person and that of other drivers, it is vital to address this issue.

For more information or to discuss When to Stop Driving, call a Geriatric Care Manager in your area.

First it is important to know what the needs of your senior are, and then you can narrow down how to best meet those needs. One method to determine what they require is to have a comprehensive evaluation done by a professional, either a physician or a geriatric care manager. After you know what you need, then its time to shop for the best options. Here are some guidelines to help in your selection.

To begin, the lightest amount of care is provided in an Independent Living Community for seniors, also known as a Retirement Community. You get no outside assistance, and you have complete privacy, but you must pay privately.

The next level of care is Assisted Living. In Assisted Living, you are provided with basic assistance such as prepared meals, light housekeeping, and usually linens service. If you need more “personal” care you may get it, but at an additional fee. Such things as medication management, help with Activities of Daily Living, etc. BUT they are not able to provide any direct skilled nursing, like wound care or tube feeding. For Assisted Living you either pay privately, or use LTC insurance.

Then a possible need would be Dementia Care. This is much like Assisted Living, but it is only for persons with some form of memory loss. It is usually an all-inclusive fee, because of the level of care required, so you will know up front what you will be paying for. They are also not permitted to do any “skilled” nursing care, but they are a locked, secure unit, to ensure the safety of the residents. For dementia care you pay either privately or with LTC insurance.

There are choices for those who want to remain at home as well. Home Care is also known as companion care. A non-skilled person comes to the private residence to do light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, bathing assistance and occasional transportation (the grocery store, hairdressers, etc.) It can become expensive for the hourly service, which is private pay, although some LTC insurance will pay.

Home Health Care sounds similar, but is very different. Home Health is skilled nursing that comes into the home to address care issues that others are not able to provide. It is very costly, and Medicare only pays when the senior is “home bound.” So it is usually private pay or by LTC insurance.

So, that leaves Nursing Home care. Nursing homes have been given the dubious honor of being the last resort for many. But they are able to provide the level of care that families at home are just not able give. It is skilled nursing, plus all of the Activities of Daily Living. It can be paid for through private pay, LTC insurance, or Medicaid. Medicaid can by tough to come by, as many Nursing Homes limit the “number of Medicaid beds”, you must qualify and there can be long waiting lists, but it can be done.

So as you can see, there are truly many choices in the type of care available, and making the appropriate selection can save you time, money and heartache. If you are unsure of the right choice, seek professional help, and they will assist you in finding the most beneficial options for your loved one.

Geriatric Care Managers are the aging experts that support and guide the senior and his/her family through the transitions of aging or chronic needs. They can be the surrogate children, counselors, coaches and advocates that families need when handling the vast requirements for their aging loved ones.

A Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PGCM) is an advisor in health and human services, such as a nurse, social worker, gerontologist, or other allied healthcare specialist with an expertise in aging and care issues.  A PGCM can assist families by providing a comprehensive assessment of functioning and needs, and then assist the family or older adult in coordinating the services and levels of care required to maintain an optimal level of independence.

Sometimes families only want the road map to get them to the next steps in caring for their loved ones, and sometimes they want on-going support and expertise to assist in making difficult life decisions. But the PGCM is available to continuing assisting the family and senior to achieve the best quality of life possible, for as long as they would like. There is no “discharge date,” when families are left on their own to figure it out from there. The PGCM can help them along their journey.

To find a Professional Geriatric Care Manager to help you get on the right path, please go to: www.caremanager.org.

We are here to assist you if you are in the middle of a crisis, or feel certain that you’re headed for one. We offer you the expertise and support to get you through your current situation. Let our compassionate, personal, and professional experience help guide you with the overwhelming nature of caring for older adults.

We can provide you with an assessment of your loved one’s current needs, and offer solutions including “caring at a distance” for families living out of the area. We also offer services such as bill paying, erting to doctor’s appointments to monitor appropriate medical needs, and being the “Ultimate Advocate” to ensure you get the care you and your loved one deserves.

You are free to decide how often you’d like to use our service. We can be there to give you peace of mind as frequently as you need, or can offer a one-time evaluation or consultation to get you started. Many of our families value our caring expertise and have used our services for years, as we offer excellent continuity of care for life-long planning and intervention.

What is a Geriatric Care Manager?

A Geriatric Care Manager, or “GCM”, is a professional who specializes in assisting older persons and their families in meeting their day-to-day and long-term care needs. Most Geriatric Care Managers have training from bachelor degrees to multiple doctorates in gerontology, social work, psychology, and Nursing (RN Care Managers). Geriatric Care Managers, also known as Elder Care Specialists, are a newly recognized profession that is rapidly developing to help families adjust and cope with the challenges of an aging loved one.

Determining appropriate living arrangements and necessary supportive assistance are among the many services they offer. Care managers also provide needs and problem assessments, screening, arranging, and monitoring in-home help, counseling and support including family conflict mediation and crisis intervention. In addition they arrange for legal, financial, and medical services, evaluate housing options, and assist with relocating an older person to the most appropriate setting. They act as liaisons to families who are separated by long distances from their elderly loved ones making sure they are managing well, and alerting them to any concerns or problems that may arise. Geriatric Care Managers have extensive knowledge about the services and resources in their communities.