Help! I Just Can’t Handle It Anymore!
By Lisa Cook Bayer
Lisa Cook Bayer, J.D., is President of Life Management Resources, LLC, a private elder care advocacy firm located in northern New Jersey.
As moms consider returning-to-work or struggle to keep up the pace of the job they are in, many are being pulled in a million directions not only by the needs of their children, but also by those of their aging parents.
If when managing your own or your loved one’s elder care needs becomes too much on you, your job, and your family, there is help available and you don’t have to do it all alone. You may not be aware but a Geriatric Care Manager (“GCM”) promotes safety and independence for the older adult, while helping him or her achieve his or her greatest functional capabilities. A GCM also helps facilitate consensus and provide support to family caregivers and loved ones as they navigate the elder care maze of services and opportunities.
A GCM is able to assess and identify the obvious (and, more often than not, the not-so-obvious) issues and concerns facing their older adult clients. He or she then provides assistance in securing the best solutions. These solutions may include building or “quarterbacking” a professional team of trusted advisors such as primary and specialist physicians, accountants, attorneys, and financial specialists. They may also help coordinate and monitor other services and providers such as rehabilitation or long term care facilities, in home care, transportation, and community programs.
Of course, cost is understandably a factor when deciding to hire a GCM. However, the emotional, physical and even financial savings to the older adult and his or her loved ones can pay for the GCM multiple times over. Having a GCM advocate on behalf of the older adult helps avoid inappropriate placements, duplication of services and unnecessary hospitalizations. Furthermore, he or she can help identify and maximize the use of untapped benefits and entitlements as well as work with the older adult’s trusted advisors to prevent financial abuse and ensure the ability to plan for and pay for long term care needs. Lastly, having a “go to” objective professional is invaluable to family caregivers both proactively and in times of crisis as he or she can help alleviate the physical and emotional stress felt by loved ones both at home and at work.
To learn more about geriatric care management or to find a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in your area, please visit: http://www.caremanager.org.
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Lisa Cook Bayer, J.D., is President of Life Management Resources, LLC, a private elder care advocacy firm located in northern New Jersey.
As moms consider returning-to-work or struggle to keep up the pace of the job they are in, many are being pulled in a million directions not only by the needs of their children, but also by those of their aging parents.
If when managing your own or your loved one’s elder care needs becomes too much on you, your job, and your family, there is help available and you don’t have to do it all alone. You may not be aware but a Geriatric Care Manager (“GCM”) promotes safety and independence for the older adult, while helping him or her achieve his or her greatest functional capabilities. A GCM also helps facilitate consensus and provide support to family caregivers and loved ones as they navigate the elder care maze of services and opportunities.
A GCM is able to assess and identify the obvious (and, more often than not, the not-so-obvious) issues and concerns facing their older adult clients. He or she then provides assistance in securing the best solutions. These solutions may include building or “quarterbacking” a professional team of trusted advisors such as primary and specialist physicians, accountants, attorneys, and financial specialists. They may also help coordinate and monitor other services and providers such as rehabilitation or long term care facilities, in home care, transportation, and community programs.
Of course, cost is understandably a factor when deciding to hire a GCM. However, the emotional, physical and even financial savings to the older adult and his or her loved ones can pay for the GCM multiple times over. Having a GCM advocate on behalf of the older adult helps avoid inappropriate placements, duplication of services and unnecessary hospitalizations. Furthermore, he or she can help identify and maximize the use of untapped benefits and entitlements as well as work with the older adult’s trusted advisors to prevent financial abuse and ensure the ability to plan for and pay for long term care needs. Lastly, having a “go to” objective professional is invaluable to family caregivers both proactively and in times of crisis as he or she can help alleviate the physical and emotional stress felt by loved ones both at home and at work.
To learn more about geriatric care management or to find a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in your area, please visit: http://www.caremanager.org.
Back to Elder Care
Visit Lisa's Profile Page
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