Quality is better than quantity
Not all geriatric care managers are qualified
In recent years, some social service agencies, nursing facilities, and hospitals have been hiring independent care managers or contracted their services. However, Darby Morhardt, coordinator of geriatric social work for Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago, believes that "Some people calling themselves geriatric care managers are more qualified than others."
For that reason, she will always recommend someone with a master's degree in social work before someone with just a bachelor's or a degree in another field. Social workers warn the elderly and their families to be especially cautious accepting help from someone who offers his or her services for free. Chances are that advice is tainted by expectations of a whopping commission from the assisted living or nursing home that person recommends.
Atlanta-based Jane Hamil, LCW, CFP, owner of Bridging Generations Inc., a private geriatric care consultation and management firm, also believes that many unqualified people are calling themselves care consultants. She has encountered receptionists working for retirement homes and clerks filling out application forms for assisted living facilities, who represented themselves as "geriatric care consultants."
"It takes not only training in social work, knowledge of financial planning, and familiarity and understanding of those complicated entitlement programs [Medicare and Medicaid] and insurance claims, but also a lot of maturity, compassion, and patience," says Hamil.
In addition, geriatric care consultants have to be familiar with state and federal laws regarding estate planning, legal guardianship, power of attorney, and advance directives about end-of-life decisions.
According to Hamil, dealing with such complicated issues as balancing an aging patient's autonomy with safety, a great deal of psychological insight and knowledge of family dysfunctions is required. "There's nothing more manipulative," she laughs, "than a little gray-haired lady."
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