By: Arthur Cooper
Submitted: 2011-06-15 14:59:37 | Word Count: 664
Geriatric care is the general name given to those who specialize in providing services for the elderly. There are Geriatric Care Managers (GCM’s) and there are also Nurses or Nurse Practitioners who specialize in the care of those who are aged and in need.
A Registered Nurse is usually a staff member of a health facility, though they can be affiliated with an organization and still visit and practices their field in the home of those in need. A Geriatric nurse-practitioner is a registered nurse who is additionally trained to conduct physical exams, counsel and treat elderly patients. There are additional health care providers, many of whom are covered by insurance:
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* Acupuncturist â€" not an MD, but administers treatment by way of insertion and manipulation of needles into the skin.
* Chiropractor â€" not an MD, they physically manipulate and adjust the spinal column, joints and sot tissues.
* Licensed Practical Nurse â€" LPN, who assists physicians and registered nurses.
* Massage Therapist â€" uses pressure, friction and strain upon the muscles and joints of the body for therapeutic or physical responses.
* Naturopath â€" practices treatment of disease through manipulation of diet.
* Occupational Therapist â€" OT â€" provides individualized programs of mental and/or physical activity.
* Pharmacist â€" dispenses prescription medicines, knowledgeable about the chemical composition and correct use of medicines.
* Physicians Assistant â€" PA â€" takes medical histories, conducts physical exams, and performs routine diagnostic procedures and gives treatment plans.
* Physical Therapist â€" PT â€" restores mobility and strength to body parts affected by illness, disease or injury
* Registered Dietician â€" RD â€" specializes in dietary counseling
* Speech or language therapist â€" evaluates and treats speech impairments
Geriatric Care Managers are also called case managers, and can carry out a thorough assessment of your elder’s needs, coordinate all the required helpers and monitor and evaluate their services, making adjustments as needed. However, a Geriatric Care Manager may or may be a nurse or Registered Nurse, so it’s always best too ask. Care managers are usually, but not always, social workers or nurses who are well schooled in the needs of frail, older people. You may pay a monthly fee to the care manager in addition to the individual services he or she produces and oversees.
Medicare doesn’t cover care manager fees. The good news is that sometimes you can obtain a brief course of care management services for free from the local agency on aging or a senior center.
Hiring a geriatric care manager to handle the tasks you don’t want to do or aren’t good at, is usually your best option. When they’re are also a nurse that can provide at home geriatric nursing care with the additional services of a geriatric care manager, would be the most qualified and well-rounded professional that may be best to help you with your senior’s needs.
When considering a Geriatric Care Manager, besides any nursing degree or experience you may also ask if they’ve been certified by the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGM) as this is the leading association of it’s kind for these services.
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