I have worked as a professional geriatric care manager since 1993. What is a Professional Geriatric Care Manager? We help families with aging parents. Many people do not even know we exist, but our profession has been around since the 80s. We have been receiving more media attention as adult children across the country find themselves faced with the complex task of navigating long-term care issues--especially if they live across the country from their parents--but we are still the best kept secret. Professional Geriatric Care Managers are trained and experienced in any of several fields, including, but not limited to nursing, gerontology, social work, and psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers promotes the highest standards of practice.
As geriatric specialists our goal is to assess needs, identify problems and then draft a plan for the future. Often we are responsible for coordinating care, supervising other staff and assisting with a move or acting as an unbiased third person to mediate difficult family decisions. Our job is to do all the research regarding resources and services, saving families time and guiding them through the maze of eldercare.
When considering whether to engage the services of a Professional Geriatric Care Manager, you should evaluate whether you have the time, inclination, and skills to manage the challenges of geriatric care. You can use our services just once, in order to obtain an evaluation of your parent’s overall health and living situation, or we can come in monthly or weekly. Fees vary but can range from $50.00 to $200 an hour. You can log on to the national website www.caremanager.org and plug in your parent’s zip code to locate a care manager in that area.
Monique Snyder is a PGCM and the owner of www.aboutmyparents.com
For more on taking care of elderly parents, read The Good Daughter.
