By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2011-03-17 16:50:25 | Word Count: 664
Many of us residing in New York have lived here a while. Which means, New York is one of the largest cities in the US with a segment of population over age 65. So, when a senior is unable to provide for themselves to live on his or her own, safely and effectively, you may consider the need for Geriatric Care. Often times your best resource to find the right kind of care, is with the help of a Geriatric Care Manager. These are many of the skills that a trained Geriatric Care Manager provides.
Assessment: Providing a comprehensive evaluation of your aging parent, which is the cornerstone of a detailed plan. Families often wait until there is a crisis before consulting professionals. However, it is much easier for all concerned to take a thorough look at the situation before an emergency arises. Assessments include a functional analysis, evaluating how an elderly individual gets through the day and their quality of life. Often assessed are the elderly family member’s psychological and social functioning, physical and mental limitations, financial resources and their individual strengths and needs.
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Plan Development: GCMs develop an appropriate plan of intervention, which includes use of all appropriate resources. When possible, you, other family members and/or supportive friends (if appropriate) are included in the planning process.
Monitoring: Geriatric Care Managers present all your care-giving options and establish with you how much care you may want to provide yourself, and to what extent care managers will assist. We empower you to manage the care of your elderly parent as much as you choose to or are able. They monitor your parent’s care on a regular or as-needed basis. This process may include, but is not limited to, phone calls to you, your parent and caretakers, home visits and communication with allied professionals and other family members. Also, a GCM will evaluate the success of the interaction and adjust the planned intervention, as your parent’s needs change.
Staffing: A GCM’s goal is to ensure that your parent receives the best quality care at all times. To accomplish this, they often work with relevant agencies to screen and assign staff to your parent in his or her own home, being mindful of personality and lifestyle preferences. On an ongoing basis, a GCM will monitor the care-giving process at your parent’s home, making sure that the interaction between attendants and your parent results in the best quality of life possible at all times.
Personal Chef: To ensure that your parent receives the appropriate nutrition, some GCM’s have access to a personal chef is available to make home visits, inventory kitchen supplies, shop for groceries, and prepare meals that meet the individual’s nutritional and dietary requirements. Meals may be prepared weekly and stored in the freezer for easy preparation.
Activities Management: A Geriatric Care Manager will keep track of your parent’s appointments with physicians and, where possible, participate in these. They encourage and assist with appropriate outings and arrange other activities that enhance the quality of your parent’s life, such as grocery or personal shopping and cultural or social activities.
Record Keeping: GCMs maintain records as necessary. Records may include, but are not limited to, each contact with your parent, contacts with physicians, dentists or other health professionals, medication changes, and observed changes in behavior, mood and activities.
Case Review: Geriatric Care Managers keep you apprised of your parent’s situation in a timely manner. Matters of any urgency are discussed with you at the earliest possible time.
Placement: When your parent needs an alternative living arrangement, a GCM will locate the place that will be just right for that individual. A move from one’s own home to a care facility is a major life transition. By knowing the people as well as the physical facilities in the area, trauma that may accompany such a move can be minimized, and your parent’s well being as well as your peace of mind can be enhanced.
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Click here to read the rest of New York Geriatric Care. If you enjoyed this article, you also might like our other stories about Senior Care.
