SR Health Guide BODY & INSERT 2018

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P ROFESSIONAL C ARE M ANAGERS needs • Ongoing oversight, moni- toring, and advocacy • Individual/family coun- seling and support • Crisis intervention BENEFITS OF CARE MAN- AGEMENT SERVICES Benefits of using care man- agement services are many, and may include: • Personalized and compas- sionate service, focusing on the client’s needs and preferences • Continuity of care: coordi- nation and communication with family members, medical and care providers, and legal/financial profession- als • Cost containment: the care manager’s knowledge and expertise can help you to avoid costly mistakes by carefully matching appropriate services to client’s needs. SELECTING A CARE MANAGER There are many agencies which provide Care Coordination or Care Management. Those providers who are members of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA), formerly known as the National Association of Professional • 24/7 availability for urgent needs

Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM), meet stringent cri- teria for professional education, experience, and certification, and adhere to ALCA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics. Additional information is avail- able on the ALCA website, www.aginglifecare.org In selecting the agency you wish to work with, you may want to ask about the following: STAFF TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS: • What is staff’s educational background and work expe- rience? How long have they been providing care man- agement services? • What are their professional credentials and affiliations? Are they licensed or certi- fied? If so, by who? • Are they members of the Aging Life Care Association? AGENCY STRUCTURE: • Is the agency a free-standing care management agency, part of a larger health care network, or one which also provides other services? • What are the referral rela- FEE STRUCTURE: • What are the rates and fee structure? • Does the agency receive payments from other sources (e.g., placement or referral fees?) Article submitted by Miriam Oliensis- Torres, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM, Stowell Associates Care Managed Home Care tionships they have with other service providers?

eriatric Care Managers (GCM) or Aging Life Care Managers (ALCM) are health and human service specialists who provide guidance, support, access to resources, and ongoing follow-up for older adults, adults with disabilities or chronic health care needs, and their families and support net- works. Care Managers come from a variety of professional backgrounds (social work, nurs- ing, gerontology, among oth- ers), and have a specialized focus on issues related to aging, chronic disease management and disabilities. The care manager is an experi- enced guide and resource for families and professionals. They have extensive knowledge about costs, quality, and avail- ability of services in their com- munity, and can connect you with the right service at the right time. Care managers also assist clients in attaining their maximum functional potential and quality of life. SERVICES PROVIDED BY A PROFESSIONAL CARE MAN- AGER: Care managers provide personalized services, based on individual client circumstances. These services may include: • Comprehensive assessments to identify problems or con- cerns, and provide solutions • Arrangement for qualified in-home care or other need- ed assistance • Identification of living options which are consistent with client needs and pref- erences; relocation planning and implementation • Referral to qualified legal, financial, or medical special-

ists, based on a review of client circumstances and

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