Have you noticed that your parent needs more help than they did before?
What will you do if they need someone to assist them during the day?
How will you care for them on top of your other responsibilities?
What if they require overnight care?
If these questions are swirling around in your mind, take a deep breath.
In this blog, we’ll introduce you to geriatric care specialists who can help you find the right type of care for your aging parent. If you want to find geriatric care managers, keep reading. We’ll explain who they are, what they do, and where to find them.
In-home elder care solutions in Southeastern Wisconsin
What Is a Geriatric Care Manager?
Geriatric care managers are known by many different titles:
- Geriatric care specialists
- Geriatric care consultants
- Senior care managers
- Home care managers
- Geriatric advisors
- Elder care managers
The list goes on, but all of these are interchangeable titles that refer to the same professional. Geriatric care managers specialize in elderly care management—the care of seniors who need help with everyday tasks or managing medical conditions. Senior care managers offer solutions, resources, and support to the families of elderly loved ones whose health is declining.
Geriatric care managers are especially helpful when family members live far away from each other, acting as liaisons. These specially trained professionals work with families to develop whole-person care plans and find the type of care their aged relative needs.
Note: Geriatric care managers are not the same as geriatric case managers. This post is going to focus on care managers. Learn more about the differences between geriatric care managers vs. geriatric case managers here.
Now, what does a geriatric care manager do exactly?
What Does a Geriatric Care Manager Do?
Everything geriatric care specialists do centers around two jobs:
- Helping family members make informed decisions regarding the care of their aging loved ones.
- Improving older adults’ quality of life by advocating for their needs and acknowledging their desires.
Keep in mind that geriatric care specialists don’t provide hands-on in-home care, which is what caregivers do. Here are some elderly care management services you can expect a geriatric care manager to do:
Elderly Care Management Services
- Perform geriatric care assessments
- Assist with senior housing & relocation
- Develop long- and short-term care plans
- Address emotional concerns and worries
- Coordinate healthcare services and providers
- Guide families through difficult decisions
- Handle transitions of care
- Arbitrate family conflicts
- Relieve caregiver stress
These are just some of the ways geriatric care specialists can serve you and your family. However, not all care managers have the same qualifications. Let us introduce you to the Aging Life Care Association® (ALCA).
What Is an Aging Life Care Professional®?
An Aging Life Care Professional® is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide for families and an advocate for older relatives or disabled adults. They are essentially geriatric care managers with a certification verified through the Aging Life Care Association® (ALCA).
ALCA members enable seniors to age well by ensuring they receive the highest quality care. Membership is only open to qualified individuals. ALCA member requirements include specialized degrees and experience in areas such as social work, psychology, gerontology, nursing, therapy, etc. Stowell Associates is proud to be a member of ALCA.
ACLA even has a search option to help you find geriatric care managers who are members, but by the end of this blog, you won’t need to use it.
Now that you know all about senior care managers, it’s time to find one for your family.
Where Can I Find Care Management for Seniors?
If you’re searching online for a “geriatric care manager near me” and live in Southeastern Wisconsin, contact Stowell Associates. Stowell Associates is a premier geriatric care management provider located in Milwaukee, Kenosha, Racine, and Waukesha, WI where you can find geriatric care managers.
Whether your elderly loved one needs the help of a professionally trained caregiver, or you’re the child of an aging parent who needs an expert to guide them through the nuances of elder care, we can help. Our geriatric care specialists are registered nurses and masters-level social workers who create personalized care plans for seniors and provide unparalleled support to their families.
We’ve been providing the highest level of elder care for nearly 40 years, enabling older adults to age in place since 1983. Learn more about how we can help you and your family by contacting us for a free consultation.
In-home elder care solutions in Southeastern Wisconsin
