When you or your loved one decide that some level of assistance is necessary to continue living at home independently, there are many things to consider. It may be overwhelming to think about your loved one’s growing healthcare needs, especially if you or other family members live too far away to offer daily help. Or perhaps you have been caring for a relative but have become burned out and confused about the available care options. This is especially true when it comes to caring for older adults who need some help day to day, but aren’t necessarily ready to move out of their homes.
That’s where an Aging Life Care Manager®, also called a geriatric care manager, can come in to assist. Eliso Papaladze, the founder of GPS Care Management, guides families through the process of identifying and securing the correct level of care for her clients. She starts with an in-home assessment of the client’s physical, mental, emotional and cognitive health, and evaluates the home for any possible safety risks.
Once this assessment is complete, our care managers will provide home care coordination. We can recommend home care and home health agencies, community resources, and other assistance the elder may need, and then coordinate their work—relieving the family member of this task.
As we arrange services, we prioritize the senior’s individual likes and dislikes, personality, and communication styles, and care needs. The care manager will ensure that the client’s needs and preferences are met, and that all outside agencies are a good fit for the client.
Some examples of these different entities include:
- Home health aide agencies
- Transportation assistance
- Food delivery services
- Assistive technology
- Social services
- Cleaning services
- Other community resources
For clients who are receiving home health care, our care manager will ensure that all parties—family members, certified home health aides, and the client— are aware of and following the care plan provided by the client’s doctor.
While we are not the employers of other care providers who come into the home, and thus cannot direct their work, our care manager will monitor the care and services they provide to ensure they’re being delivered according to the agreement between the client and agency, and according to the care plan when applicable. This patient-centered coordination of services by a care manager ensures that there is no costly duplication of services or unnecessary hospitalization. The care manager makes sure the client receives the right care, at the right time, from the right provider.
With a decade of experience in home care, Eliso Papaladze, MSW, has the expertise and resources to provide direction and support in all aspects of aging and care management. Please contact us to learn more about our services.
