Do You Need Us?
Changes that signal a loved one needs help may not be apparent until your next visit with them or after a disturbing phone call from a concerned friend or neighbor. Advance planning to provide support for your loved one can offer you peace of mind, knowing that someone can be there for them when you cannot.
Have you noticed any of the following signs? If so, it is probably time to seek the expertise and support that a Professional Geriatric Care Manager provides.
- Major changes in personality or mood (e.g., confused, suspicious, anxious, volatile, depressed, apathetic)
- Confused about where they are and/or cannot recall the date or time of day
- Forgets things more often and/or has problems doing familiar tasks
- Forgetting or misuse of common words or phrases
- Frequent falls
- Failure to maintain medical care or non-compliance with physician recommendations
- Non-compliance with or difficulty managing medications
- Recurrent hospitalizations
- Poor personal hygiene or disinterest in personal appearance
- Poor eating habits or difficulty preparing meals
- Sudden deterioration in physical condition and/or recent weight loss
- Failure to pay bills
- Abuse or neglect is suspected (e.g., by a spouse, relative, friend or service provider)
- Exploitation is suspected (e.g., missing cash, jewelry or assets without recollection, vulnerability to solicitors)
- Difficulty driving or reports of traffic tickets or accidents
- Accumulation of mail, laundry or trash
- Difficulty keeping up with home repairs, landscaping and household chores
- Inability to summon help in the event of an emergency
We assure quality control by following the Standards of Practice of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and the Case Management Society of America.
What is a Professional Geriatric Care Manager?
A Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PGCM) is a healthcare professional with special training and/or experience in the field of geriatrics. PGCM’s possess the skills and knowledge to assist older people and their families with long-term care arrangements, and may have backgrounds as social workers, nurses, psychologists, therapists, etc. PGCM’s provide any of the following:
• Comprehensive geriatric assessment
• Development and monitoring of a long-term care plan
• Information and assistance in accessing appropriate community resources
• Arrangements for healthcare services as needed
• Review of financial, legal or medical issues and referrals to appropriate geriatric specialists within those arenas
• Ongoing supervision of an elder’s satisfaction with care and living situation
• Advocacy for the client should obstacles to care arise
• Ongoing counseling, education and support of the needs of the elderly on all geriatric care matters
• Liaison to families at a distance, serving as their eyes, ears and hands