Caring for an elderly loved one can be confusing, frustrating and overwhelming. There are many emotional pulls and no single easy solution to any situation you may be facing. Even if you feel you are moving in the right direction, other family members and/or friends may disagree on a route or decision even as a situation moves into a crisis mode.
Ask Yourself: How do you choose the best form of long-term care, the right living situation? How do you find the time to make phone calls, contact government agencies and visit alternative living facilities? How do you know which local facilities have a good reputation and whether they might be a good match for your loved one? where do I begin? We have all been novices in learning a new craft or job, or in moving into a new phase of our lives.
Like those skills, the many aspects of caring for an elderly loved one can be learned. You may be thinking Well, I am learning how and feel fine making decisions, and I am coping, if that is the case, great and kudos to you. Others of you read the above questions and think, Yikes! Help me, and fast! I could figure this all out, but I would rather not.
Let someone else give me a hand. If these responses sound like you, consider calling in a geriatric care manager to work with and guide you. And those of you in the first group might consider a consultation to help determine if there are other angles or aspects of the situation you are involved in that could be considered.
What Can a Care Manager Do For Me? A helpful care manager acts as a consultant, problem-solver, and advocate. She will meet with you and your loved one and sensitively and thoroughly assess his or her overall situation. She will look at the whole person, addressing quality-of-life concerns as well as practical considerations.
She will then develop a plan that will enable you to choose the optimal form of care, and make the necessary contacts for you. She can arrange for care at home or accompany you as you visit nursing homes and assisted living facilities and arrange for placement. A good care manager will coordinate your loved ones care and act as a liaison with family, friends and health care providers, now and in the future.
She also provides counseling and support for you and the family, as well as for your loved one, as you deal with these difficult and stressful transitions. A good geriatric care manager will be there for you and your loved one every step of the way, helping to make your lives as stress-free as possible, while ensuring the best and highest quality of life possible at all times.
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