Aging Life Care Professionals™ on Finding the How
By taking a holistic, client-centered approach, Aging Life Care Professionals have the distinct advantage of finding solutions for aging adults that ensure both quality of care and optimal life for their clients.
Here, Aging Life Care Association™ member Kate Granigan, MSW, LICSW, CASWCM shares that not saying “no” to clients, but saying “how,” is what she loves about her job. “It’s what we get to do every day. Help people find solutions and find the how,” says Granigan.
What is an Aging Life Care Professional?
The Aging Life Care Professional assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential. The individual’s independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals are able to address a broad range of issues related to the well-being of their client. They also have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their communities.
Aging Life Care Professionals are engaged to assist in a variety of areas, such as:
- Housing – helping families evaluate and select appropriate level of housing or residential options
- Home care services – determining types of services that are right for a client and assisting the family to engage and monitor those services
- Medical management – attending doctor appointments, facilitating communication between doctor, client, and family, and if appropriate, monitoring client’s adherence to medical orders and instructions
- Communication – keeping family members and professionals informed as to the well-being and changing needs of the client
- Social activities – providing opportunity for client to engage in social, recreational, or cultural activities that enrich the quality of life
- Legal – referring to or consulting with an elder law attorney; providing expert opinion for courts in determining level of care
- Financial – may include reviewing or overseeing bill paying or consulting with accountant or client’s Power of Attorney
- Entitlements – providing information on Federal and state entitlements; connecting families to local programs
- Safety and security – monitoring the client at home; recommending technologies to add to security or safety; observing changes and potential risks of exploitation or abuse
- Long-distance care – coordinating the care of a loved one for families that live at a distance; including crisis management
Discover solutions that work for your aging loved one by connecting with an Aging Life Care™ Expert. Find one here at aginglifecare.org.
This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, nor is it intended to be a substitute for, professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Information on this blog does not necessarily reflect official positions of the Aging Life Care Association™ and is provided “as is” without warranty. Always consult with a qualified professional with any particular questions you may have regarding your or a family member’s needs.