Geriatric Care Manager

Questions Frequently Asked by Family Caregivers

What is a Geriatric Care Manager (GCM)?

A geriatric care manager (GCM) is a professional who specializes in assisting older people and their families make short and/or long term care arrangements. Geriatric care managers generally have at least a Bachelor's degree and substantial training in gerontology, social work, nursing, counseling or human services. What can GCMs do to help families caring for a person with dementia?

• Visit the home, or place of residence, to conduct an assessment to identify needs, resources and a plan of care;

• Screen, arrange, and monitor in-home help or other necessary services;

• Offer referrals to financial, legal, and geriatric medical specialists;

• Provide consumer education and advocacy;

• Provide crisis intervention;

• Act as liaison to local and long distance caregivers to make sure things are going well and to alert families of patient status;

• Assist with moving an older person to or from a retirement complex, care home, nursing home or their own home;

• Offer counseling and support. Some GCM's also provide family and individual therapy, money management, and conservatorship or guardianship assistance;

• Mediate family meetings to help resolve family conflicts over care decisions

Fees for services vary widely. According to the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the GCM Association the hourly rate can vary from $50 to $150. GCMs generally charge different rates for the initial assessment versus follow up visits or phone contacts. What questions should I ask when interviewing or hiring a GCM?

• What are your fees? Are there different rates for the initial assessment versus on-going management? Do you charge by the hour? Do you offer sliding scale fees based on income?

• What are your credentials and how much experience do you have working with people diagnosed with dementia? Are you licensed and bonded?

• Do you have room in your current work schedule to manage my needs effectively?

• Are your services available on weekends, holidays, evenings, and in time of crisis? Do you carry a beeper for emergencies?

• Do you provide short term or ongoing assistance for the long distance caregiver?

• Are you part of a team or do you work independently? If you work independently, do you have a back up to cover your clients in the event of illness or planned absence?

• Call the Alzheimer's Association Helpline: 703-359-4440 or toll-free 1-800-272-3900.

• The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Association of Geriatric Care Managers has listing of members on www.gcmonline.org/gcmdir.html

• Call the National Association of Geriatric Care Manager at 520-881-8008.

1998 GCM Membership Directory: "About the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers." Copyright, National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, 1604 N. Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85716-3102

Boo, Mary. 1999. "What is a Geriatric Care Manager?" The Guide to Retirement Living. Summer/Fall Issue. Pages 33-36.

Geriatric Care Managers