How to Hire a Geriatric Care Manager:

Does your geriatric care manager have the right credentials?
The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers has strict requirements for membership. Members must have a Masters degree in a relevant field like nursing or social work, supervised experience, and certain accreditations. Members of this association are usually a good bet.

2. Get referrals.
Asking for referrals from friends, assisted living facilities, and geriatricians is always a good idea – you can learn a lot from other people’s experiences.

3. Look for relevant skills
If your elder has a lot of medical issues you might want to find a care manager with a nursing background.
A consultation or an assessment
Most geriatric care managers charge by the hour. You could begin by arranging a consultation (typically $95-$395) to help you get started evaluating the care needed for your elder. This will give you to have a baseline to see if the elder’s current facility or at home is the right place for him or her, plus a care plan for your elder. If a move is advised, they will help you find a qualified facility that suits your loved one.

4. Care Manager as your elder’s advocate:
All elders need an advocate acting on their behalf. The care manager can be especially useful as an interface between the assisted living facility and family members. For example, is your loved one getting the right help with daily tasks, preferred recreation, and medical issues? When you can’t be there to oversee these matters, the geriatric care manager can provide a valuable resource to help improve your elder’s quality of life and care.

5. Flexible service as you need it~Care For Life provides caregivers, too.
Some families use geriatric care managers to manage extra care help. For example, the elder might need help getting to meals, dressing, or bathing. Or they just might be lonely and need someone to visit with them. The care manager can hire those caregivers and in some cases even pay them.

6. Other useful resources
Geriatric care managers will be an additional expense that most insurance plans will not pay for. Most companies provide a free telephone conversation and will help you look for free help such as grants available or V.A. Benefits.

Likewise Hospice is one of the most dedicated and professional resources available anywhere. Hospice provides an astonishing array of free services ranging from personal care to chaplains. The elder doesn’t necessarily have to be near death to participate in Hospice programs either. Other government or non-profit services might also help – ask Care For Life’s eldercare advisor to see what might be available.

For further reference:
New York Times article: “When Elder Care Problems Escalate, You Can Hire an Expert”

Engaging in activities that involve socializing and simply walking at least 30 minutes, three times a week are proven ways to improve your well-being.

People who regularly interact socially tend to be healthier, physically and mentally, than those who become socially isolated. Artistic activities such as arts and crafts help people relax, keep an alert mind, improve fine motor skills, and improve memory.

Activities prevent loneliness, and promote choice and independence. They improve motor skills, social skills, thinking ability, behavior, and communication ability.

Adult day care centers provide a safe, secure environment for adults who are unable to stay alone during the day. They serve people challenged with the effects of aging, such as Alzheimer’s and other types of memory loss, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, or other ailments.
Adult day care centers provide socialization, community, stimulating activities, healthy meals and snacks, and support with activities of daily living. Some centers also offer nursing and healthcare services.
Adult day care centers can be an essential aid to caregivers. They allow caregivers to hold a job, take care of household responsibilities, see friends, and pursue other activities, knowing their loved ones are safe and entertained during the day.
Your elder may truly enjoy the stimulation of seeing other people as well as the programming of many centers, and you, the caregiver, will know your elder is being cared for while you work or run errands.
It’s important to note that adult day care centers are typically open during weekdays. Some offer additional evening or weekend care. But participants do not live at the centers; they live at home.

[Note: Care For Life ~Experts in Eldercare since 1995~ provides geriatric care management and homecare by experienced, monitored caregivers. Families often combine adult day care for daytime with additional homecare for evenings and overnight care and assistance so that seniors can remain in their own homes safely and independently for as long as possible. Call for a free telephone consultation today at 843-852-9090.]

1. Talk to your doctor home safety. Have a comprehensive home assessment by Care For Life’s nurse to help you with your long term plans for remaining at home.

2. Tell your doctor and your family when your medication makes you dizzy or lightheaded.

3. Install proper lighting throughout your home. Use night-lights in the hallways between the bedroom and bathroom.

4. De-clutter your home. Keep floor and stairs free of clutter & do not use small throw rugs. Check that stairs are in good repair and are slip resistant. If any stairs are broken, have them fixed promptly

6. WEAR PROPER SHOES inside and outside. Use a cane or walker for better balance.

7. Install grab bars in all bathrooms by the toilet and in the bathtub or shower. If you need extra support, get a shower seat. Install a hand-held shower device.

8. Consider getting a Medical Alert System to call for help if you fall

In May, we talked about medication errors as one of the five things that can cause elderly people to fail. The others are nutrition, unaddressed medical problems and home safety & proper hygiene & home maintenance. Our caregivers empower the elderly to remain at home by offering solutions to these 5 problems. This month we will talk about the need for proper hygiene and home maintenance.

In May, we talked about medication errors as one of the five things that can cause elderly people to fail. The others are nutrition, unaddressed medical problems and home safety & proper hygiene & home maintenance. Our caregivers empower the elderly to remain at home by offering solutions to these 5 problems. This month we will talk about the need for proper hygiene and home maintenance.

“My Dad just isn’t taking care of himself, and the
house is cluttered. He gets upset when I ask to
help him get a bath. I need your help!”

Elders living alone are less likely to keep a schedule of dressing, bathing, and personal grooming. Widowed spouses often lose all motivation for home cleanliness and personal appearance.
Household tasks are postponed or abandoned.

Care For Life Solution:
A few hours of homecare several times a each week by a trained caregiver can help remedy this problem.  Caregivers assist in keeping a routine in place for bathing, dressing and grooming. Light housekeeping assistance will help maintain the home and keep it safer. The aged person’s outlook on life will likely improve with a fresh start each day.  Give us a call to discuss care for your loved one at 843-852-9090.

Click here to listen the radio discussion

Members of the Executive Association of Greater Charleston enjoy breakfast at Care For Life Open House.

My mom has Alzheimer’s and does not have Long Term Care Insurance. Does Medicare pay for care at home?

Currently, Medicare does not pay for personal care at home.  Alzheimer’s is a very debilitating and frightening disease.  Family members suffer with its frustrating affects while trying to give loving care.  Our caregivers receive additional training in caring for the Alzheimer’s client.  Getting the right information on the best resources is a major part of the what we do for you.