Living at a distance from your senior loved one can be difficult both logistically and emotionally, especially at this time when COVID-19 makes travel nearly impossible. What can you do when a loved one begins to need more support and assistance, especially when you’re not close by?
Fortunately, our Aging Life Care Professionals are here to offer expertise and guidance at a time when you need them the most. According to the Aging Life Care Association – a non-profit association with over 2,000 members of professional care managers – Aging Life Care Professionals offer a “holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges.”
These experts work in close collaboration with families to help them take actions and make decisions that ensure their loved one’s independence is encouraged as much as possible, and that they are receiving the highest quality of care. Aging Life Care Professionals play a vital role in the caregiving team and provide services such as:
- Assessment and monitoring
- Planning and problem-solving
- Education and advocacy
- Family caregiver coaching.
What is a Professional Care Manager?
An Aging Life Care Professional (also known as a geriatric care manager) “is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults.” This designated professional is educated and experienced in any of several fields related to Aging Life Care/care management, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care, including:
- Counseling
- Gerontology
- Mental health
- Nursing
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Psychology
- Social work.
In order to be affiliated with the Aging Life Care Association, professional care managers must meet stringent education, experience, and certification requirements, as well as adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
The Practical Support You and Your Loved One Need
Most importantly, Aging Life Care Professionals can help you with the practical aspects of supporting a senior loved one. We offer services in a variety of settings depending on your loved one’s level of need and are equipped with extensive knowledge about the costs, quality and availability of resources in your community. We provide:
- Personalized and compassionate service — focusing on the individual’s wants and needs.
- Accessibility — care is typically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Continuity of care – communications are coordinated between family members, doctors and other professionals, and service providers.
- Cost containment — inappropriate placements, duplication of services, and unnecessary hospitalizations are avoided.
- Quality control – aging life care services follow ALCA’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.
Support for All Ages
While most Aging Life Care clients are older adults, many professional care managers also assist younger adults who face the challenges of disability or serious illness, including:
- Physical Disabilities
- Developmental Disabilities, (e.g. Intellectual Disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, Autism, or Asperger’s Syndrome)
- Brain Injury
- Mental Health Conditions
- Chronic or Serious Illnesses of any type.
Contact us today to connect with an Aging Life Care Professional and plan the best future possible for your senior loved one or adult in need.
