Caring for an aging parent or loved one from afar can feel overwhelming. Just as you might hire an attorney for legal matters or a CPA for tax preparation, families can turn to an Aging Life Care Professional (also known as a geriatric care manager) to help navigate the often-complicated world of long-term care.
Aging Life Care Professionals guide you through the often complicated maze of navigating care. From determining optimal housing, recommending services, to managing chronic health care issues, the expertise of an Aging Life Care Professional ensures quality care and an optimal life for clients, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers.
Aging Life Care™… There’s a Professional for That
Aging Life Care Professionals can provide caregiver support, alleviate stress through quality, person-centered care, and offer information about local services. They can recommend the most appropriate, available, and cost-effective services that will support the older adult and the family.
For long-distance caregivers, Aging Life Care Professionals can provide the ongoing supervision and communication link so often needed to avoid frequent and costly trips.
You may need an Aging Life Care Professional if the person you are caring for:
- has multiple medical or ongoing health issues
- is unable to live safely in their current environment
- is not pleased with current care providers and requires advocacy
- is confused about their own financial and/or legal situation
- has limited or no nearby family support
Or if your family:
- has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction about available services
- is either “burned out” or confused about care solutions
- has limited time and/or expertise in dealing with the individual’s chronic care needs and does not live close by
- is at odds regarding care decisions
- needs education and/or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with dementia
Below are two real-life situations that are examples of how Aging Life Care Professionals can help:
Long-Distance Caregiving
Mr. Smith lived in Los Angeles while his parents were in Philadelphia. For years, he flew back and forth, handling everything from doctor’s visits to laundry during short visits. Exhausted and overwhelmed, he reached out to an Aging Life Care Professional. With professional support, his parents enjoyed better quality care and he finally regained his health, balance, and peace of mind.
Resistant to Help
Robert and Ann lived independently, but Ann’s memory loss and anxiety made her resist outside help. Over time, self-care and household needs were neglected. Their adult children felt helpless. An Aging Life Care Professional was introduced and worked to gain Robert’s trust, assessed the situation, and helped the family make a decision regarding a more appropriate and safe housing situation. With support, the entire family felt relief and Ann received the safe, specialized care she needed.
Impact of an Aging Life Care Professional
A recent study by Virgina Tech University confirmed the value and impact Aging Life Care Managers have on caregivers and their loved ones with 99% of respondents saying they would recommend the services of an Aging Life Care Manager; and 93% saying the benefits outweighed the cost.
As the population continues to age and the number of caregivers increases, Aging Life Care Managers are an essential resource to fill the gap between medical providers, social services, and family members.
Finding an Aging Life Care Professional
The Aging Life Care Association’s website, aginglifecare.org offers a user-friendly search engine, allowing you to locate an Aging Life Care Professional in your area. The listing is updated on a daily basis.
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.