BackLong Distance & Local Caregivers' Most Valuable Ally . . . a GCM
Article submitted by Linda LaPointe, MRA of Senior Options & Services (SOS). For further information she can be contacted at 719-248-8554.
John awoke to the phone ringing in his Philadelphia apartment at 4:47 a.m. It was the ER in Colorado calling to tell him his mother needs emergency treatment and he must give permission. Blurry eyed and half asleep yet, he was panicked and didn't know how to respond.
The more than 7 million long distance caregivers have experienced this or are concerned that they will, before long. But it doesn't have to be that way. Studies have found that the involvement of Geriatric Care Managers (GCMs) help reduce hospitalizations and crises for older adults. These professionals are doing what the relative would do if only they could.
Irene Levine, in the April 2005 Better Homes and Gardens described GCMs as, "Part social worker, errand-runner, family counselor, surrogate family member, and crisis worker, a geriatric care manager helps plan and manage care for older people, often overseeing household, financial, legal, health, insurance, and family issues." GCMs work with all concerned professionals, such as attorneys or bankers, as a liaison between them and the family.
Many people, however, have never heard of a geriatric care manager. They may be just what you were looking for but didn't know they existed! The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, Inc. at www.caremanager.org offers a national directory.