A Geriatric Care Manager is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults. The Geriatric Care Manager is educated and experienced in any of several fields related to care management, including, but not limited to nursing, gerontology, social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.

​

The Geriatric Care Manager assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential.  The individual’s independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Geriatric Care Managers are able to address a broad range of issues related to the well-being of their client. They also have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their communities.

​

Geriatric Care Managers are engaged to assist in a variety of areas, such as:

​

• Housing – helping families evaluate and select appropriate level of housing or residential options

• Home care services – determining types of services that are right for a client and assisting the family to engage and monitor those services

• Medical management – attending doctor appointments, facilitating communication between doctor, client, and family, and if appropriate, monitoring client’s adherence to medical orders and instructions

• Communication – keeping family members and professionals informed as to the well-being and changing needs of the client

• Social activities – providing opportunity for client to engage in social, recreational, or cultural activities that enrich the quality of life

• Legal – referring to or consulting with elder law attorney, providing expert opinion for courts in determining level of care

• Financial – may include reviewing or overseeing bill paying or consulting with accountant or client’s Power of Attorney

• Entitlements – providing information on Federal and state entitlements; connecting families to local programs

• Safety and security – monitoring client at home; recommending technologies to add to security or safety; observing changes and potential risks of exploitation or abuse

 

Taken from: http://www.caremanager.org/