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Eldercare News & Information
Geriatric Care Mangers Emerging as Important
Contributors to Eldercare
National association now has over two thousand
members
 June 6, 2006 Geriatric care managers, unknown 20
years ago, are emerging into an important piece of the network for the
care of the elderly. The New York Times explored the industry in an
article on Saturday and found they "are growing increasingly popular as
people live longer and want to grow old in their homes." The number of
certified geriatric managers totals about 2,041 today, compared with
about 50 in 1986, when the National Association of Professional
Geriatric Care Managers was formed, according to the newspaper.
The New York chapter opened its annual meeting
today. For more information follow this link -
http://www.nygcm.org/meetingspro.htm
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Elder Care News & Information |
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According to the national organization's Website, "A
Geriatric Care Manager is a health and human services professional, such
as a gerontologist, social worker, counselor, or nurse, with a
specialized body of knowledge and experience related to aging and elder
care issues."
"A Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PGCM)," the
group says, "is a geriatric care manager who is a member of the National
Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (GCM) and has
committed to adhering to the GCM Pledge of Ethics and Standards of
Practice."
The PGCM
● assists older adults and persons with
disabilities in attaining their maximum functional potential,
● strives to respect t he autonomy of the individual,
● delivers care-coordination and support services with sensitivity to
preserve the dignity and respect of each individual, and
● serves as an experienced guide and resource for families of older
adults and others with chronic needs.
According to the Times, geriatric care managers
help family members with long-term care insurance, serve as advocates at
hospitals and nursing homes, monitor medications, find attorneys for
legal problems and take patients to medical appointments.
Geriatric care managers often are licensed social
workers, counselors, nurses, gerontologists or psychologists with an
expertise in elder care issues.
However, the newspaper cautions that the cost of
geriatric care managers "can be a huge financial burden." Initial
assessments often cost between $200 and $500 -- and Medicare does not
cover their services in most cases.
In addition, the federal government does not
regulate geriatric care managers, the Times reports.
About the association
What started as a gathering of one hundred human
service professionals in New York City in 1985 has developed into a
national association focusing on professional geriatric care management.
The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (GCM)
was established in 1986.
Consumers may obtain the free brochure Questions
and Answers When Looking for a Geriatric Care Manager, on the GCM web
site at:
http://www.caremanager.org/ and then click on About Your Care
Manager. Consumers looking for a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in
their local area may visit
http://www.caremanager.org/ and may use the searchable directory
that is located in the Find a Care Manager section.
What to look for in a Geriatric Care Manager
People calling themselves care managers have many
different backgrounds. Very few states have licensing for these
professionals; however, many are licensed in their state in other
fields. The professional organization (GCM) recognizes the following
certifications as being a "Certified Care Manager": CMC, CCM, C-ASWCM
and C-SWCM. These require testing and continuing education.
Care managers do not specialize in all areas. When
a care manager says he/she practices "care management", find out which
matters he/she handles. You will want to hire someone who regularly
handles clients in the area of your concern.
Care managers who primarily work with older adults
bring more to their practice than an expertise in geriatrics. They bring
knowledge of aging issues that allow them and their staff to overcome
the myths relating to aging and to focus on the problems at hand.
At the same time, they will bring an experience of
working with resources in your community. They are more aware of real
life problems, health and otherwise, that emerge as persons age and what
tools are available to address them. They are tied into a formal or
informal system of social workers, nurses, psychologists, elder law
attorneys, advocates, and other elder care professionals.
>> For more on the national association visit
http://www.caremanager.org/
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