Elderly Assistance - A Geriatric Care Manager

Whether we choose it or not, caregiving is a duty that is often thrust upon us. You'll have to figure out what your resources are in terms of time, money, family, job, and travel. Remember that you have your own family, social life, and job responsibilities that cannot be ignored. After you figure out what you can do, seek elderly assistance from others. Tap into your network of family and friends, and reach out to your elder's friends for help.

Often, one of the best options in elderly assistance is to hire a geriatric care manager. If you're a long-distance caregiver, you might consider hiring a geriatric care manager to do a weekly follow-up, consisting of a visit with your elder and a phone call to the aide, if one has been hired. Geriatric care managers can be useful in helping hire the right aide for your elder as well. They may have a roster of aides who they have worked with over the years. Or, an agency that trains aides on an ongoing basis will have well-qualified candidates for you to interview.

Here's a list of 20 services that can be provided by a geriatric care manager. Note that each GCM has their own strengths and knowledge base, so the one you hire may have additional training, education, and experience. The decision to hire a geriatric care manager for elderly assistance could make a huge difference in your elder's quality of life - and yours.

1. In-home assessment
2. Institutional or hospital assessment
3. Hospital visit in case of emergency
4. Recommendation and implementation of adapted equipment
5. Financial information organization
6. Insurance information organization
7. Making the home "elder-safe"
8. Arranging meal service
9. Hiring cleaners, handyperson, other assistance
10. Streamlining all medications
11. Improving appearance
12. Bringing entertainment into the home
13. Serving as the communication hub for the family
14. Understanding government entitlements and services that are available
15. Arranging travel to family events, social gatherings
16. Interviewing and hiring aides and other home-care personnel or medical specialists
17. Monitoring your elder on an ongoing basis
18. Recommendation of a higher level of care as required
19. Crisis intervention
20. Improving quality of life

Marion Somers, Ph.D. (Dr. Marion) knows the elder care arena and provides a bridge for the generational gap with resolve, results, and respect. Dr. Marion's vision provides seniors and their caregivers timely, relevant, and valuable education, resources, products, and services for a better life. Her mission's universal approach to engage and promote elder care needs worldwide creates a positive difference in the lives of caregivers and their elders.

To learn more about drmarion.com/method/hiring_help elderly assistance and other issues, visit Dr. Marion's website, drmarion.com drmarion.com.