The field of geriatric care management is relatively new compared to many professions.  Early geriatric care managers typically started their careers as social workers, geriatric case managers and nurses in various settings such as hospitals and nursing homes.  As more and more families needed guidance and independent advice, as well as coordination assistance (especially for families at a distance), care management practices opened to fulfill these needs.

Caring for a loved one from a distance can be especially challenging.  Because many seniors come to Florida to retire or families otherwise relocate to enjoy all that Florida has to offer, many elders live here without the nearby support of close relatives.  Often, communities and neighbors are very supportive, but as we have written in the past, support from older friends may only go so far especially if neighbors are "snowbirds" who are not around during summer months.

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A lot of families contact us wondering aout getting an elderly parent assessed.  Perhaps "getting your elderly parent assessed" is a bit of a misnomer, as the elder, family and professional take part in a cooperative process to get a picture of the individual situation and solutions that fit.  It is not as simple as an inspection and "diagnosis" but more of a problem solving process with everyone's involvement.  The process and its outcomes can be beneficial for any family struggling with elder care concerns (or issues related to chronic illness or disability).

In this post, we offer some key tips and resources for those of you managing the elder care of a loved one with memory loss, dementia or Alzheimer's disease:

The Medicare program is made up of a variety of parts, covering different services from doctor's visits to medications and acute care needs.  To get an overview of the Medicare parts and costs, grab a copy of Aging Wisely's Medicare Fact Sheet for 2012.

When you are assisting in the care of your aging parents or other elders, one of your primary responsibilities may be managing medical care.  You may start by simply assisting with questions or problems your aging loved one has, such as going along when they talk with the doctor about a recommended surgery or analyzing Medicare options or coverage.  As you become more involved in care, you may attend all doctor's appointments or help to coordinate care.

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