Geriatric Care Managers of New England

Frequently Asked Questions

...and a few answers

 

What does a Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) do?

GCMs are specialists in assisting older people and their families to plan for and implement ways to allow for the greatest degree of independence, safety and comfort. They meet with families, assess the client's needs, and develop a comprehensive plan with input from caregivers, professionals, and others. They then assist with any appointments, interviews, and other paperwork and make all preparations for needed in-home care or arrange for a transition to a facility. They review all options clearly and discuss them with the family. Once services are set up, they can monitor and coordinate them, and revise the plan if needed. This gives the family assurance that an objective, knowledgeable professional is available to maintain personal contact with the older person, caregivers and family.

What kind of background does a Geriatric Care Manager have?

GCMs come from a variety of backgrounds and fields of experience. Usually, they are licensed social workers, nurses, therapists, and typically have education at the Master's level, and trained in the field of gerontology, social work, or nursing, and may have experience in family work, client advocacy, long-term care, and/or psychotherapy.

Do all GCMs do the same thing? How do I know what to look for?

All GCMs provide assessment services along with a wide variety of other services. These range from counseling, crisis intervention and care management to guardianship, housing placement, money management, advocacy, and referrals. The first step in locating the right professional in your area is to call GCM New England. The Chapter offers a program to help in choosing a GCM for each specific situation. The brochure includes a list of members, the area each serves and the services each provides. Call GCM New England at (617) 426-3533 to request this directory or to get more information.

Who uses a GCM?

Families who live at a distance rely on GCMs to provide a trusted link to their elder parents. Attorneys may use the services of a GCM for a professional assessment of complex clinical situation in a home care facility or in the community. Trust officers find that a GCM plays a key part in a professional assessment to assure the provision of well-targeted, cost-effective care for elder. Physicians, and other health care professionals welcome the specialized individual services that a GCM can offer to the elder and families a means to prevent clinical crises and avoid unnecessary hospitalization.

What unique services can a GCM bring to their client?

GCMs assist the elder and the family in a comprehensive way by first establishing objectives and following through on them. As GCMs, they establish a personal relationship with the elder and a personal commitment to their clients. Typically, a GCM does not provide actual hands-on care for the older person, but instead arranges, coordinates and monitors this care to be provided by the most qualified professional available. The GCM may draw from a number of options to assist this process, and thus is due to their knowledge of the local providers and accessibility to specialized resources.

Are GCM services covered by Medicaid, Medicare or health insurance? How will I pay?

Services are billed privately on a fee-for-service basis. Care Management services provided by GCMs are not covered in most policies and currently are not recognized, billable services by either Medicare or Medicaid. Clients may be able to bill some services to the insurance carrier, depending on the background of the individual case. A GCM can help to outline the general cost of services to assess the most advantageous way to provide cost effective services for the older person, GCMs may also refer to any of a number of other professionals if that is more appropriate.

How can a GCM be located in a different state and how is contact maintained with the family?

The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers has a referral network that encompasses every part of the country. By contacting the National Association at (520) 881-8008, a list of current members in each area can be sent. The list will also outline the areas of expertise of each GCM. In addition, a directory of local members is available from GCM New England, at (617) 426-3533. Once located the individual GCM may provide the family with regular updates by phone or written reports. They will keep the family informed of any unexpected events or emergencies and maintain involved in any major decisions.

How is a choice made about which GCM to work with?

Each GCM brings individual experience and training that may be targeted to the specific needs of the elder. It is strongly encouraged to conduct an interview of possible GCMs to make a determination of their qualifications and areas of expertise. As with other professionals, a number of factors help determine the choice of an individual, such as geographic location, specific training, education, fees, accessibility, and years of experience.