What to Look for in a Geriatric Care Manager.  Ask Questions!  

When looking for a Geriatric Care Manager (GCM), make sure that the person has experience in all aspects of geriatric care.

	Are they familiar with the area resources?
	Are they familiar with geriatric specialists in the area?
	Are they willing to work with the people who are already involved in caring for the older person?
	Can you reach them easily?
	What is their position about independence versus nursing home care? How do they monitor the care in the home?
	How do they charge for their services?
	Are they sensitive to the need to conserve resources as much as possible in order for the client to remain at home for as long as possible?
	What exactly are they charging for?
	Can you call them with a concern without receiving a bill for a ten or fifteen minute consultation?
	How well do they interview you about your parent's needs?
	Have they asked about medications, mental status, and life style?
	Do they seem knowledgeable about dementia and seem to have strategies for dealing with the issues that arise?
	Are they knowledgeable about modifying a home to make the environment safer?

Hiring someone to help look after a parent is a serious undertaking, but often a very necessary thing to do. You want to make certain that the person can be your eyes and ears, and can bring to your parent's care a wealth of resources, understanding, and compassion.

Willing to Answer All Your Questions

A Professional Geriatric Care Manager should be willing to answer all your questions and should be concerned about the things you are. If a parent is vulnerable, everything from having valuable items in the house inventoried, and appraised, to arranging proper medical care should be as important to the Geriatric Care Manager as it is to you. All aspects of an older person's life and well being, as well as easing the burden for family members and friends, are the concerns of a responsible and caring professional Geriatric Care Manager.

Implements Plan of Care

A Geriatric Care Manager is a professional who develops and implements a plan of care to assist elders and their families with all aspects of long-term care. The care manager should have a graduate or post graduate degree in social work or nursing and be credentialled as a professional Geriatric Care Manager.

Assess Client's Needs

A Geriatric Care Manager must first evaluate and assess an older person's needs, including physical and mental health, family and community resources, physical environment and finances. The importance of an appropriate living environment cannot be overly emphasized. Will the client have the kind of services, companionship and environment that she or he wishes to have? The Geriatric Care Manager must understand the people he or she is working with, what their values and expectations are, and come to each situation with no prescribed answers.

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