Geriatric Care Management

What is Geriatric Care Management

Aging brings problems that directly affect the quality of life of parents and their families. Denise Stein is a Certified Senior Advisor®. The Counseling Place provides services and resources to assist in maintaining the quality of life for the elderly and relieving the stress and burdens for their family and caregivers.

Geriatric Management Counseling provides objective advice and solutions for all concerned, and can assist in decision-making even when family members cannot agree on a life care strategy. Decisions are much easier when caregivers, elders, physicians and family function as a team.

Contact us to schedule a family meeting to assess immediate and future needs. Call Denise Stein at 203-397-5900 or email Denise at The Counseling Place.

Certified Senior Advisor

A Certified Senior Advisor is an individual who has completed a comprehensive course through the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA) and has earned the designation of Certified Senior Advisor®. SCSA is an internation organization that has trained more than 20,000 professionals to meet the changing needs of a growing senior population. CSA's subscribe to a strict code of ethics and participate in continuous training to stay current in the field.

Family Meetings

1. Assessment of the current situation
2. Financial feasibility: assets and budgets
3. Stress management among family members
4. Decision making and leadership
5. Focus on the elder’s best interest
6. Finances beyond personal assets: Medicaid and Medicare counseling
7. Long-distance care giving
8. Dealing with legal documents
9. Physical and mental issues of aging
10. Taking action while addressing concerns of the elder

Services:

Special Needs

1. Coordinate home/health care needs for clients with physical, financial and/or emotional needs.
2. Research and coordinate community based services to maintain or improve independent living.
3. Assist the client with personal needs such as clothes shopping, grocery shopping, etc. and coordinate meal delivery or preparation.
4. Coordinate in-home and home-care service providers such as housekeepers, aides, companions, live-ins, shoppers and drivers. Contract for independent home service contractors.

Dependant Elders

1. Consult on long term care insurance, retirement communities, assisted living and convalescent home facilities.
2. Plan for and apply for Medicaid (Title XIX) benefits, and Fair Hearing appeals.
3. Assist in phasing in the next level of care/living. Coordinate the move, arrange for handling and dispersal of cherished and valuable possessions; prepare home for sale; and assist the client or family secure the next level of care.
4. Represent the client's interests as liaison with attorneys, doctors, etc.; working as advocate, protector and/or surrogate for the client.
5. Mediate problems between client and Health Care facilities, family and doctors.
6. Work with appropriate agencies to process medical claims and appeals – Certified Choices Counselor.

Independent Elders

1. Coordinate community-based services to maintain or improve independent living.
2. Assist clients with personal needs such as clothes shopping, grocery shopping, etc., and coordinate meal preparation or delivery.
3. Coordinate in-home and home-care service providers such as housekeepers, aides, companions, live-ins, shoppers and drivers.
4. Inventory household items and review insurance needs prior to contracting outside help.
5. Consult on future needs and help develop an appropriate plan.
6. Consult on long term care, insurance, retirement communities, assisted living and convalescent home facilities, reverse mortgages, viatical or lifetime settlements, etc.

Caregivers

1. Balance their roles as coach, delegate and provider; manage personal emotional conflicts, intra-family conflicts, and relationship with the care recipient.
2. Develop coping mechanisms and locating support resources.
3. Recognize the current and future stages of the care recipient's condition, and develop decision making benchmarks and financial realities.
4. Coordinate services and equipment needed at home before the care recipient leaves the hospital; including homemakers, companions, live-ins, shoppers, drivers, etc.
5. Identify "handicap living" requirements within the residence (e.g., wider doorways, showers, etc.) Coordinate with contractors and oversee projects.
6. Make nursing home decisions; locating an appropriate facility, apply for medical and financial assistance, and coordinate the move.
7. Consult regarding phases of disease, particularly Alzheimer's and Parkinsons; the affects on the Caregivers and the family.

Insurance

• Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
• HealthNet Medicare coverage
• Oxford Health Plans