A geriatric management manager can help you solve health problems for you or your loved. These professionals plan and coordinate care for elderly people and others with disabilities, aiming to meet long-term care needs, improve quality of life, and preserve independence as much as possible. Learn more about geriatric care management and what they do.
Job description
A geriatric manager is someone who manages the health care of older people. This job requires extensive knowledge of the elderly population. This person will also be responsible for training and hiring staff.
If you're interested in pursuing this career, you should consider getting educated through a geriatric care manager certification. This certification is awarded by the International Commission on Health Care Certification. The applicant must have two years of experience with case management.
Education
If you want to become a geriatric care manager, education is critical. A master's degree or higher in gerontology will be required for most positions. However, some employers may consider an undergraduate degree. The higher degree you have, the more money you can expect to make.
Graduate certificate programs for geriatrics care management usually require a bachelor's and/or master's degrees in human services. These programs take approximately 15 to 24 month to complete. Some are completely online and others hybrid. Students can complete classes in human growth and development, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapeutics, as well as coursework in sociology and human services. Some programs require students to do a practicum at a senior-care facility before they are able to finish the program.
Costs
Costs for hiring a geriatric care management professional vary depending on education and experience. On average, a family should expect to pay $75 to $250 per hour for the service. These services are not covered either by Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance policies, or Medicare. It is important to discuss billing issues and payment options with the potential geriatric care manger.
You should hire care managers based upon their skills and experience. Some are trained in dealing with dementia and other age-related conditions. Some services include communicating with loved ones and doctors, applying for community resources and keeping them informed about their loved one’s condition. You can save both time and money by hiring a geriatric management manager.
Relationship with your loved one
As a geriatric care manager, you will be involved in a lot of decisions and discussions with your loved one's family. They might have questions or concerns regarding your loved one’s health and well being. A good geriatric care manager will be able to communicate with all parties involved, from doctors and medical secretaries to hospital staff and foreign caregiver agencies. He or she will also be able look out for your loved one's best interests and those of your family.
Families may find managing elderly care difficult. Even though many family members can provide support, it's not always easy. Maybe the elderly person lives far from their family. Or maybe it isn't as simple as it appears.