Aging Connections - Aging Life Care Management Services

DO I NEED AN Aging Life Care™ MANAGER?

You may need a care manager if:

~The person you are caring for has multiple medical or psychological issues.

~The person you are caring for is unable to live safely in his/her current environment.

~Your family is either “burned out” or confused about care solutions.

~Your family has a limited time and/or expertise in dealing with your loved ones’ chronic care needs.

~Your family is at odds regarding care decisions.

~The person you are caring for is not pleased with current care providers and requires advocacy.

~The person you are caring for is confused about his/her own financial and/or legal situation.

~Your family needs education and/or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with dementia.

~The person you are caring for has limited or no family support.

~Your family has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction about available services.

 

WHAT IS PROFESSIONAL Aging Life Care™ MANAGEMENT?

Professional Aging Life Care™ management is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. Working with families, Aging Life Care™ manager expertise provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers through:

 

Assessment and monitoring
Planning and problem-solving
Education and advocacy
Family caregiver coaching
Aging Life 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
Local, cost-effective resources are identified and engaged as needed.

 

A care plan tailored for each individual’s circumstances is prepared after a comprehensive assessment. The plan may be modified, in consultation with client and family, as circumstances change.

WHAT IS AN Aging Life Care™ MANAGER?

An Aging Life 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 Aging Life 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 Aging Life Care™ Manager assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential. The individual’s independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life 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. View areas of assistance.

 

Aging Life Care™ Managers become the “coach” and families or clients the “team captain.” Search for a Care Manager near you.

 

Aging Life Care™ Managers who are members of ALCA differ from Patient Advocates, Senior Advisors, Senior Navigators, and Elder Advocates. ALCA members must meet stringent education, experience, and certification requirements of the organization, and all care manager members are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice.

WHAT OTHER SERVICES DO CARE MANAGERS PROVIDE?

While the majority of care management clients are older adults, many care managers also assist younger adults who face the challenges of disability or serious illness.

 

Qualified care managers may help people who have:
Physical Disabilities
Developmental Disabilities, (e.g. Intellectual Disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, Autism, or Asperger’s Syndrome)
Brain Injury
Mental Health Problems
Chronic or Serious Illnesses of any type

 

Care managers can often help parents who are concerned about a young adult or middle-aged adult child with disabilities. These care managers have experience and credentials to work with all ages. The care manager conducts a comprehensive assessment and helps the family plan for the current and future needs of their adult child. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING AN Aging Life Care™ MANAGER?

Professional Aging Life Care™ Management services are offered in a variety of settings. Aging Life Care™ Managers can serve the needs of their clients by providing:

Personalized and compassionate service — focusing on the individual’s wants and needs.
Accessibility — care is typically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Continuity of care management – communications are coordinated between family members, doctors and other professionals, and service providers.
Cost containment — inappropriate placements, duplication of services, and unnecessary hospitalizations are avoided.
Quality control – care management services follow ALCA’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

 

The contents on this page came from the Aging Life Care Association and can be found at www.aginglifecare.org.

 

Aging Life Care Association. (2008). What you need to know. [Data File]. Retrieved from http://www.caremanager.org/why-care-management/what-you-should-know/

Contact Us Today!

To schedule an appointment or find out more about the services we offer, please call 

314-540-0560

or email Angie.

 

Or use our contact form.

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