Elder Law Resources: Geriatric Care Managers - Trusts & Estates and Elder Law Newsletter
By: Jacqueline Yarmo
As anyone with an aging parent in need of support will tell you, the list of issues to address and decisions to be made regarding long-term care seems endless. Often an essential first step is to consult an elder law attorney who can help with many important legal considerations, including but not limited to:
- Creating documents such as a Power of Attorney and Health Care Directive to appoint an agent to act when the elder is unable to manage their personal and financial affairs;
- Applying for guardianship for an incapacitated loved one when there are no documents in place appointing an agent;
- Assisting with asset preservation through the creation of trusts or other strategies to proactively prepare for long-term care costs;
- Discussing end-of-life wishes and estate directions and memorializing them in a Will and/or Living Trusts; and
- Making applications for public benefits, such as Medicaid, to help with the cost of nursing home, assisted living, or home care services.
Frequently, these same caregivers also need answers to more urgent and specific questions, such as:
- Is it safe for my mother to continue living alone in her home?
- My father wants to move to an independent living facility, but I think he needs more support, how do we know what is right for him?
- I do not live close to my elderly loved one, could they receive Meals on Wheels or other public outreach services?
- How do I find a good home care agency or caregiver for my parent for when I am out of town?
- What transportation resources are available to my loved one who should no longer drive?
In these situations, one of the best resources is a geriatric care manager. Geriatric care managers, also known simply as care managers, are health care, nursing and/or mental health professionals who specialize in caring for the elderly or for people with disabilities. Often social workers by training, they evaluate a person’s current health and care needs, offer recommendations, provide planning services on a range of issues facing these vulnerable adults, and assist clients and their families during periods of crisis or to proactively plan for the future.
Engaging a geriatric care manager will typically begin with a comprehensive review of a person’s health and medical history, involving an in-person assessment to evaluate physical, cognitive and mental health, and to assess the present living environment to determine if there are any safety risks or adaptations needed. A care manager can offer guidance on a range of issues, including specific recommendations for supportive services, either in the home or in a facility, including day programs or alternatives to living at home. Depending on the scope of the engagement, a care manager’s involvement can be as short as the comprehensive initial assessment and the resulting care plan, or they can be involved on a long-term basis.
A care manager can coordinate a person’s ongoing medical needs, provide visits to assess the care plan at regular intervals, accompany an elderly person to the doctor, and/or make referrals to specialists, caregiver services and long-term care facilities. Receiving up-to-date guidance on the quality of long-term care facilities, such as assisted living facilities or nursing homes, can be a godsend to a busy caregiver who may not have the ability to adequately research and visit their local facilities. A geriatric care manager can often also identify community resources or government programs available for the elder or disabled person that they might not otherwise be aware of. Some care managers will even act as intermediaries when family members have conflicting opinions on a loved one’s care needs.
Aside from a referral from your elder law attorney, you can find a geriatric care manager through the Aging Life Care Association or through your local Senior Center. It is helpful to inquire about the care manager’s background, areas of expertise, type of practice (solo or team of professionals) and fee structure. Care manager consultations and support are not covered by private insurance, Medicare or Medicaid, and are paid as an out-of-pocket expense. Care managers usually charge by the hour with a typical fee ranging between $75 to $250 per hour. While this fee can seem daunting to those on a fixed income, the safety and value in the wide range of guidance offered from just the initial care manager consultation and plan can be immeasurable and provide significant savings in the long run.
Being a caregiver for an elderly or disabled loved one is difficult work that is made easier through the support of a network of professionals, who can identify issues and provide practical solutions and guidance specific to the situation at hand. If you need elder law services, our Elder Law attorneys at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. are available to connect you with the professionals we trust, and to assist you with estate or long-term care planning to ensure you or your loved one has the support they need to live safely and with the peace of mind they deserve.
Learn more about our Trust & Estates and Elder Law & Special Needs Planning Practices.
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The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. You should contact your attorney to obtain advice with respect to any particular issue or problem. Use of and access to these materials do not create an attorney-client relationship between Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. and/or its attorneys, and the reader of the materials.