Care Management and Patient Advocacy
CARE MANAGEMENT
A geriatric care manager is a professional who can assist older people and their families in a variety of ways. What does an ElderCare
Resources' care manager do?
 |
Assessment: Evaluates the whole situation and identifies areas of need. Considers financial and insurance resources and Medicare/Medicaid eligibility. |
|
Medical: Oversees medical care; ensures communication among care providers; organizes and schedules medications; accompanies patient to doctor visits; makes referrals to appropriate physicians. |
|
Home Help: Arranges home care services; screens and monitors caregivers; helps with household management. |
|
Financial: Reviews income, assets, insurance, and spending. Can discuss Medicaid eligibility. |
|
Legal: Checks estate documents (will, advance medical directive, POA); makes referrals to elder-law specialists when needed. |
|
Family Communication: Keeps family members near and far informed about the elder. Knows how to communicate with confused or cognitively impaired persons. |
|
Moving: Recommends appropriate living options; assists in the details of executing a move to or from a care facility. |
|
Crisis: Responds at any hour in case of emergency; is always near and available. |
|
PATIENT ADVOCATES
Your Care Manager is also your Patient Advocate. She or he will make sure that your needs are communicated clearly to your doctors and their staff. On your behalf and as needed, a patient advocate will:
|
Provide detailed information about your health to your doctors, to help ensure that you get the attention you need, especially for not-so-obvious problems. |
|
Request records transfers so that all doctors have your medical history. |
|
Keep prescription information up to date for all your care providers and you. |
|
Keep track of appointments and follow-up care needs. |
|
Arrange transportation to appointments; arrange for someone to accompany the patient when appropriate. |
|
Inform family of important changes in your health. |
|
Ask questions that the patient may not know are important. |
|
Provide home follow-up for any doctor's orders. |
|
| "Thanks so much for all your help and support through the last years of our life with Mom. It was heart-warming to have you on hand again to lend your guidance and wisdom to my husband's family as they deal with the same issues. Bless you for the work you do." J. McC. |
 |
 |
| ElderCare Resources' Registered Nurse care
managers Donna Courtney (left) and Jorja Farnsworth (right) can
coordinate care for your medical needs. |
"Dear Donna and Karen,
We want to express our sincere thanks for your time and care in helping us regarding our sister's needs. It has been a difficult time for her to adjust to her completely changed lifestyle. We feel that she has listened to your advice. It is much better to have someone, other than immediate
family, present the reality and suggestions to her that she can understand and accept."Connor and Dava R. |
|
