What is a Geriatric Care Manager?

A Professional Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) is a professional such as a nurse, social worker, gerontologist or counselor with a specialized body of knowledge and expertise in aging and elder care issues. GCM’s help older adults attain their maximum level of functional independence by assessing their situation and providing them with solutions and care options customized for their unique care needs and concerns. GCM’s help families by serving as an advocate in the absence of family members seeing that the older adult’s care needs are met in a variety of settings such as at medical appointments, with in-home care providers and in long-term care facilities.

How do I know if I need a Geriatric Care Manager?

Many clients have family that live out of town and trust Encompass Elder Care to handle a variety of elder care services. Many simply need professional assistance in finding, evaluating and negotiating the right care option. Naturally your need for assistance depends on your personal situation. You should consider the following questions when deciding if GCM services are right for you.

• Do you or your family have the time and skills necessary to manage the elder care issues and problems yourself?
  
• Are there elder care problems that are becoming too large and complex for you to manage comfortably?
  
• Are the demands and responsibilities becoming overwhelming so that you are not able to provide the desired level of attention and supervision of your loved one’s care issues?
  
• Do you live out of town?

If you have answered “yes” to any of the above questions, contact us to see how Encompass Elder Care can lighten your elder care burden.

How will I benefit from using an Encompass Elder Care GCM?

• Professional advice and support with elder care demands
  
• Personalized service focusing on older adult’s wants and care needs, as well as family members’ wants and needs
  
• Accessibility: A care manager is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays
  
• Continuity of care, facilitation of communication between older adult, healthcare providers and family members; regular updates on your elder
  
• Advocacy and efficiency when multiple providers are needed; eliminating bureaucratic constraints
  
• Cost containment by avoiding inappropriate placements, duplication of services, intervention to avoid unnecessary hospitalizations
  
• Quality control as Encompass Elder Care adheres to the National Association of Professional Care Manager’s Standards of Practice
  
• Short-term or long-term assistance when family members are out of town