BackCare Managers...
The Who, What, When, and Where?
Who are they?
Care managers generally have a degree in social work, nursing, gerontology or counseling. They tend to specialize in assisting older clients and their families navigate through the medical, financial and social paths of life. Care managers tend to have an extensive amount of knowledge and expertise in community resources and services.
Care managers frequently meet with clients and /or families in the client's home for an initial evaluation and assessment. The evaluation and assessment help to determine a client's current level of functioning and appropriate level of care. Care mangers provide an unbiased assessment with a goal and focus to keep the client in the most independent and least restrictive environment. After an assessment, a care plan can be developed and further recommendations or referrals can be made.
What do they do?
- Complete a detailed assessment to identify current level of care needs, identify problems, and assess
for eligibility of community resources, financial and medical services
- Arrange as needed for skilled home health, personal care providers, personal shoppers, meals,
transportation, adult day care, etc.
- Assist to relocate a loved one to another living environment if necessary -Provide education to the
client and family -Advocate for client rights -Assist and counsel clients with advance directives and to
complete financial paperwork
- Act as a liaison between clients and families living at a distance -Provide counseling and support to clients and family members
When do I need one?
When a loved one needs assistance, whether you live nearby or at a distance, the experience can be overwhelming and frustrating. Often adult caregivers do not know where to turn or how to get help. Caregivers are often caught between managing their own lives, work, children, marriage and providing care for a loved one. They often feel trapped, frustrated and uncertain as to where to turn for assistance. Families are often unaware of the resources and services available within the community for their loved one.
Where to turn during
the crisis?
A care manager is often contacted during a crisis. Care managers can help manage the crisis in an efficient and cost-effective manner. Some examples of crisis situations:
- ... Mom is unsafe, the neighbors called to say they found her wandering again.
- ... Dad fell and now the hospital says he no longer meets medical criteria and has been discharged.
- ... Dad cannot manage at home alone.
- ... Grandma just died, and now Grandpa appears to be unsafe at home, he is forgetting to eat, shower,
and he does not remember to take his medication.
- ... Aunt Mary had fallen, broken her hip, was unable to call for help and was found lying on the floor.
Care managers can help to communicate with physicians, medical staff, and other family members to ensure the client is receiving the appropriate care and resources. They can advocate to ensure the clients needs are being met to maintain independence and dignity.
Caregiving is personal, emotional, and sensitive. It can also be overwhelming, stressful, and often cause feelings of guilt, sadness and anxiety. Care managers can provide solutions to benefit you and your loved one, and help find a balance in making the most difficult decision you will ever make.