Care Management
A professional experienced in care management, social work, or the medical field will assist the guardian or family in planning and coordinating services for seniors and adults with disabilities. The goal is to improve the quality of life and assist in maintaining a person’s independence.
Care management begins with a complete assessment of a person’s abilities, physical and mental health concerns, needs, and limitations and continues with a care plan created just for that person and implemented by the care manager.
Assessment
Your GCM will start with an assessment covering several domains – physical abilities, mental status, cognitive functioning, emotional well-being, living environment, financial needs, and end of life care.
Care Plan
A personalized care plan is devised based on each person’s unique situation. Recommendations and referrals to trusted outside agencies are provided as needed.
Arrange services
If the care plan is approved, your GCM can arrange services for the senior. Services include things such as in-home caregivers, placement into a higher level of care (including assisted living, adult family homes, or skilled nursing), home health, medical appointments, quality of life activities and more.
Monitor ongoing needs
Once the care plan has been adopted and services begun, your GCM will continue to monitor the care provided to the senior. GCM’s generally accompany seniors to doctor appointments and communicate to the doctor the symptoms a senior is experiencing, and then communicates back to the family or facility the doctor’s orders. Your GCM will follow up with the facility or caregivers to ensure that doctor’s orders are being followed.
GCM will visit as often as requested by family or responsible party – weekly, twice a month, monthly or as scheduled. Each visit will consist of a brief evaluation of client’s status and appropriateness of placement as well as review chart notes if appropriate, and address any concerns or issues.
GCM will also attend quarterly care conferences and advocate for needed services. Family or responsible party will be notified of any critical situation as well as be provided with monthly reports.
Partnership
Geriatric case managers work together with families and responsible parties. Your GCM will know their community, and the resources and benefits available to your senior. Whether the responsible party is in town or hundreds of miles away, they can rest assured knowing that your GCM is looking out for the senior and providing quality care.
Personal advocate
Seniors can hire a GCM on their own. Whether you are confused at doctor visits and want another set of eyes and ears there or just would like to know that someone is watching over your care, your GCM will be there – to advocate for your needs and provide you with peace of mind.
Services provided by Paladin Advocates