Lisa Conway – FLORIDA TODAY
Q: How do I know if my mom would benefit from care management?
A: Care management also known as Aging Life Care management is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others who face ongoing health challenges. Working with families, Aging Life Care Professionals provide expertise and answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love.
Care Managers reduces worry, stress and time off work for family caregivers through assessment and monitoring, planning and problem-solving, education and advocacy, and family caregiver coaching.
Each client and family are unique.
A Care Manager or Aging Life Care Professional will sit down with your family or loved ones and listen to your particular story. They then provide you with resources to allow for quality care and the opportunity for your loved one to stay independent as long as possible. The definition of “independent” may vary from client to client and family to family.
The Decision Tree
When I consult with a client and their family, one of the first questions I ask is, “what would be your ideal situation as you age?” Some clients would like to stay in their home as long as they can. Others would prefer to live in a 55+ independent or assisted living community. Still others may want to move near distant family members. I try to dig a little deeper and ask about their health, support system and finances to see if their “ideal” is doable and sustainable. Often, I am able to help them find the resources they need to accommodate their ideal situation. If their medical or financial situation is at odds with their wishes, I will help them to reevaluate their situation and guide them toward sustainable options.
The Benefits of Care Management
The Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) explains:
- Personalized, compassionate service — focusing on the senior’s wants and needs.
- Accessibility — care is typically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Continuity of care — coordinated communications between family members, doctors and other professional service providers.
- Cost containment — inappropriate placements, duplication of services, and unnecessary hospitalizations are avoided.
- Quality control — Aging Life Care professionals follow ALCA’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
To locate an Aging Life Care professional to advocate for the senior in your life, ask The Experts in Aging at One Senior Place in Viera, or call 321-751-6771.
One Senior Place is a marketplace for resources and provider of information, advice, care and on-site services for seniors and their families. Questions for this column are answered by professionals in nursing, social work, care management and in-home care. Send questions to askOSP@OneSeniorPlace.com, call 321-751-6771 or visit One Senior Place, The Experts in Aging.
Lisa Conway is a Registered Nurse and a Certified Care Manager for Senior Partner Care Services, Viera.
