Geriatric Care Management

• A Geriatric Care Manager (also called a Professional Care Manager or Aging Life Care Professional) helps older adults and their families navigate elder care. They assess needs, develop care plans, coordinate medical appointments, and handle daily living challenges. A good care manager connects seniors with the right services and gives families confidence that their loved one is getting proper support.

• Why use a geriatric care manager?
• How does it work?
  • Step 1: Conduct an in-person assessment
  • Step 2: Make a care plan
  • Step 3: Arrange services
  • Step 4: Monitor needs
• Communicate
• Evaluating the geriatric care manager

What services do geriatric care managers provide?

Geriatric Care Managers assess your home and living situation, then recommend a care plan tailored to your needs.

A care plan can reveal issues you might miss—especially if you live far away or have a close emotional relationship with the senior that makes it hard to stay objective.

Seniors often share more with a care manager than with family. They may withhold information to avoid burdening busy relatives or feel embarrassed discussing certain topics with family members.

A care manager is a neutral third party. People tend to be more open about sensitive or difficult issues when they're paying a professional to listen and help, rather than relying on family.

Why use a geriatric care manager?

Your geriatric care manager can:

• Make a professional assessment
• Arrange care services
• Find community resources
• Help with residential placement when needed
• Provide expert information and guidance

How does it work?

Here's what geriatric care managers typically do:

Step 1: Conduct an in-person assessment

The manager asks about daily activities, nutrition, safety, memory, mood, finances, insurance, and other factors affecting your health and living situation.

You can attend the interview with your parent or meet with the manager privately. If you have concerns—like suspected memory problems—tell the manager beforehand so they have complete information.

Step 2: Make a care plan

The care plan lists assessment findings, recommendations, and local resources. The manager explains what was recommended, why, what to expect, and how needs are prioritized.

Some issues need immediate attention—medication management, for example. Others, like diet and hygiene, are important but less urgent. Comfort issues rank lower still.

The plan addresses what matters most and what's feasible given time and budget. You and the manager decide together what to tackle first.

The plan includes regular reassessments because aging brings change. As abilities shift, the care approach needs to shift with it.

Memory problems are a common example. Mild memory loss may seem manageable at first, but it can worsen or become unpredictable—sharp some days, foggy others. A reassessment catches these changes and identifies solutions, whether that's phone reminders, written checklists, or something else.

Step 3: Arrange services

The care manager arranges services whether they provide them directly or connect you with other agencies.

The manager identifies what you and other family members can handle, compares that to your priorities and budget, then arranges and monitors services.

Care managers have deep ties to the local system. They know which providers are reliable, which programs work, and how to avoid problematic ones. This saves money and prevents headaches by connecting you with trustworthy professionals rather than having you search blindly.

Even if you live nearby, a care manager handles coordination between service providers—like a general contractor managing subcontractors. Providers report to the manager, not to you.

Service providers often respond faster and more thoroughly to a care manager than to a family member. The manager knows what's needed, bridges communication gaps, and catches problems early.

If you live far away, a care manager is invaluable. It's nearly impossible to contact and oversee local services from across the country. The manager acts as your on-site representative, setting up and monitoring services on your behalf.

Step 4: Monitor needs

Keep the care manager involved in ongoing assessments. The first meeting creates a baseline. Later check-ins reveal whether anything has changed and what adjustments are needed.

Care managers don't typically visit weekly unless the situation is serious, which helps keep costs down. As trained professionals, they spot and resolve issues before they escalate.

Communicate

Stay in contact with your care manager. This keeps them informed about issues you notice and shows you're engaged in the process.

A care manager can't be everywhere or know everything. You have a perspective they don't. If you notice a problem, mention it—don't wait. A good care manager expects this feedback and won't be defensive about it.

Care managers work best in partnership with you, your parent, and service providers. It's a team effort.

Evaluating the geriatric care manager

Evaluate your care manager on how well they do their job.

Do they understand the issues? Stay on top of things? Work well with service providers? Communicate with you and your parent? Spot problems before they become crises?

If you notice a problem, mention it to the manager. Everyone misses things sometimes. But if they ignore concerns, don't return calls, neglect to monitor providers, or seem inattentive overall, find someone new. Don't drag your feet on this.

Some care managers are excellent; others are not. Your parent's health is too important to settle for poor work. A bad care manager also wastes money. Look for someone who has the time and genuine interest to work with you and your parent.