In last week’s blog post, I covered steps families can take before a healthcare emergency to ease stress—what’s often called “pre-crisis planning.” From touring assisted living options nearby to working with a financial advisor to organize assets, there are practical actions seniors can take now to feel more prepared for life’s uncertainties.
Another increasingly common component of pre-crisis planning is connecting with a geriatric care manager. Geriatric care managers (GCMs), sometimes called care coordinators, are professionals trained to assess needs, plan and coordinate care, monitor ongoing services, and support older adults and their families. Many GCMs are licensed nurses or social workers with a specialization in geriatrics.
What will a geriatric care manager do?
Think of a geriatric care manager as a “professional relative” who advocates for the older adult and coordinates resources much like a family member would. Typical services include:
- Making home visits or visiting healthcare facilities to recommend needed services
- Coordinating medical care and developing short- and long-term care plans
- Helping select care team members and advising on hiring decisions
- Evaluating in-home care and living arrangements and suggesting improvements
- Facilitating conversations about difficult or complex topics with the senior and their loved ones
- Addressing emotional concerns and family dynamics
- Providing guidance and support to reduce caregiver stress
These services are useful in any medical crisis but are especially valuable for family members who live at a distance. A geriatric care manager can give objective, clear updates about the senior’s condition and needs—information that family members may find hard to deliver themselves because they want to protect loved ones from worry.
Financial advisors also benefit from relationships with qualified care coordinators, since they can refer clients and get help responding to client questions about care planning.
How much will it cost?
Geriatric care managers typically charge by the hour, though some bill weekly or monthly or invoice after completing specified tasks. An initial assessment can range roughly from $50 to over $200 per hour, and additional expenses such as mileage or caregiving supplies may be billed separately. Some long-term care insurance policies cover part of an initial care assessment, but ongoing care management services are usually paid out-of-pocket. While costs can be significant, many families find the services and peace of mind worth the expense.
How to find a geriatric care manager
If you want to identify a geriatric care manager in advance or need one after a health event, start your search using reliable resources in your area. Consider these options:
- Professional associations that credential care managers and maintain searchable member directories.
- Local government or aging services databases that list community resources by ZIP code and category.
- Support groups for age-related conditions, which can provide personal recommendations from other families who have used local care managers.
What to ask
When contacting potential geriatric care managers, ask clear questions to determine fit and reliability:
- What are your fees and billing methods? Will you provide written fee information before starting services?
- What degrees and certifications do you hold?
- How long have you practiced as a geriatric care manager?
- Are you available for emergencies outside typical business hours?
- How will you communicate updates, and how often?
- Can you provide recent references from current or past clients?
Asking these questions helps ensure the care manager’s experience, availability, and communication style match your needs.
A great resource before (or after) a crisis
Geriatric care managers are an increasingly common solution for families coping with older adult healthcare needs. They can relieve adult children of the full burden of care coordination, allowing family members to focus on emotional support and quality time. A skilled care manager handles interpersonal issues, addresses immediate problems, stays involved after a crisis, and re-engages as situations change.
For seniors who want more control over future care and for families seeking to reduce stress during emergencies, finding an experienced geriatric care manager can be a practical, reassuring step in pre-crisis planning.