Filling the Gap of Knowledge (Care Management)

It was Francis Bacon who first coined the phrase, “Knowledge is power.” As a family caregiver when it comes to knowledge of your elderly parents’ needs, you are often lacking.

When considering the many options before you and your parents, sometimes it can feel overwhelming. You only want what’s best for your loved one, but what is best? With about 30,000 assisted living facilities, thousands of retirement-care communities, and over 15,000 certified home care agencies in the United States, how do you decide the best possible option for your loved one?

Unfortunately, as a family caregiver you are most likely not an expert on caregiving. You know how to love and that is important. Family caregivers face challenges and often make sacrifices to help support their aging parents. You know your loved one better than anyone and often you feel that it would be best to keep the major decisions between you and your aging parents. However, to fill the gap of knowledge that you may be lacking and to help reduce the feelings of stress in your life, hiring a certified care manager may be an option to consider.

The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, stated “With todays longer life span, adults can find themselves taking on a caregiving role for their aging parents. However, people can feel awkward in this role, unsure about how much to intervene in their parents lives.”

A caregiver can help with that uncertainty and awkwardness. As the NAPGM described “Geriatric care managers are trained 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.”

Care managers will work with you and your loved one to help tailor a care plan specifically to your loved ones’ needs. In doing this they will take into account all possible options to create the best combination of elder care services. These services may include housing, home care services, socialization programs, and financial and legal planning.

You may not be an expert in making the best decisions for your loved ones, but a care manager is. As was stated in the National Care Planning Council’s December 2011 article, “The care manager has been there many times – the family is experiencing it for the first time.” Seeking out the help of a care manager can save you time and money in the long-run. It can also give you much-needed relief from stress.

Linda Fodrini Johnson, president-elect of NAPGCM, said “Families feel guilty when they have to make decisions for their aging parents. With the relationship of a geriatric care manager we can take the guilt out and put reality back.”