What is a Geriatric Care Manager & Why Credentials Matter

A Geriatric Care Manager, also known as Elder Care or Aging Care Managers, represent a growing trend to help family caregivers provide care for loved ones living close by or living far away. Oftentimes, we see seniors living alone with some or very limited support. Their family may be far away, a spouse may have passed, and friends may not be local or in well enough to take over.

There also may be a scenario where the family member involved may be too emotionally drained and no longer able to make the best decisions. That is where is care manager can also step in and offer unbiased support as they do not know the senior personally.

Unfortunately, if a senior has been living alone and isolated for too long, their mental and even physical state can begin to decline rapidly. We have unfortunately witnessed this firsthand as a result of the pandemic. Loneliness among seniors was already an increasingly common concern before the pandemic, and now it has grown astronomically, making it vital to check on senior loved ones.

What Can A North Star Cares Geriatric Care Manager Do for Your Family?

IN-DEPTH CONSULTATION

A detailed consultation will be performed by one of our Care Managers outlining a tailored care plan. Conducted Virtually or In-Person

HOME SAFETY EVALUATIONS

There are many unrecognized hazards in the home. Our Care Manager will help identify these to help prevent hazards such as falls. Conducted in Person Only

PATIENT ADVOCACY

Serve as your parent or loved one’s personal, health, and medical care advocate. Conducted Virtually or In-Person

CRISIS INTERVENTION

When you need it most, one of our Care Managers will be there if a crisis were to occur and will keep the family informed. Conducted Virtually or In-Person

CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS 

Our Nurse Care Manager will conduct a head to toe clinical assessment. Conducted in Person Only

MEDICATION MANAGEMENT

Improper or poor medication management is the #1 reason for medical complications and re-hospitalizations. Conducted in Person Only

ACCOMPANY YOU TO APPOINTMENTS

Have a Care Manager accompany you to your appointments and act as your advocate. Conducted in-Person or Virtually via Telehealth.

MEDICAL CARE COORDINATION

Conducted Virtually or In-Person

ASSISTANCE, COORDINATION & OVERSIGHT WITH:

• Legal Affairs
• Financial Affairs (Including Bill Pay)
• Insurance Appeals
• Downsizing and Move Management
• Liaison between care providers including physicians, home health, and private duty

THROUGH OUR SENIOR PLACEMENT SERVICE, WE WILL HELP WITH TRANSITIONS TO OR FROM:

• Assisted Living
• Memory Care
• Skilled Care Facilities & Nursing Homes or in-person

Why Credentials Matter

Unlike medical doctors and registered nurses, a geriatric care manager does not have to have state-level license requirements nor are they regulated.

Many care managers start in the healthcare industry, often continuing to keep their certifications in their original field. Or some start out from the beginning but it’s imperative to ask if they possess any credentials as well as the type of experience.

Two organizations — the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC) in Mount Laurel, New Jersey, and the National Academy of Certified Case Managers (NACCM) in Tucson — offer certification programs for geriatric care managers. Both organizations require specialized degrees, experience, and successful completion of an examination.

At North Star Cares, we understand the importance of employing certified Care managers as our Care Managers are certified as a Care Manager (CMC) along with several years of experience under their belt. We even take it a step further and have Registered Nurses on Staff as well as certify all employees as Certified Dementia Practitioners (CDP).

This has been truly beneficial for not only the families we help but also for our Care Managers to have a broader understanding when providing care. Our team of compassionate and experienced care managers will help you through the aging process and ensure your senior loved one is well-taken care of!

Questions to ask before you hire a Care Manager

Be clear about your expectations. That starts with asking a prospective care-management provider the right questions.

1. What are your business’s main services, and do they include in-home care?
2.  How many geriatric care managers do you have on staff?
3. What credentials and professional licenses do you and your managers have?
4. How many years have you been providing care-management services?
5.  What fee, if any, do you charge for a consultation?
6. What are your ongoing fees, and may I get them in writing?
7. How will you keep in contact with us?
8. What happens if my family has an emergency — will you be available?
9. Who has used your services, and may I contact them?

Learn more about North Star Cares here. There, you can fill out a form to have an experienced care manager call you at your convenience or you may reach us directly at 407-796-1582.