Managing Care Long-Distance

By Joan Blumenfeld, MS, LPC

I was tired. I was weepy. I was overwhelmed. In addition to my work, I was managing the care of my frail elderly parents in New York City as well as my declining elderly aunt in Chicago. Something had to give!

A social worker suggested I hire a Chicago-based care manager for Aunt Syd. This was before I became a geriatric care manager myself. I had never even heard of such a profession!

I learned that good care managers really do manage care. They identify eldercare resources. They organize and coordinate a care plan. They monitor the hands- on personal care provided by Home health Aides. They keep caregivers informed regarding the medical condition and quality of life of the older adult. Knowing that my Aunt Syd was in the capable hands of someone who would manage her care freed me to focus on my parents’ needs.

I found a directory of Chicago social workers and interviewed three prospective care managers by phone. (These days you can check with the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers at www.caremanager.org).

The first began our conversation by asking who would be paying for her services. The second didn’t return my call for three weeks! The third sounded compassionate and experienced.

So I hopped on a plane to Chicago to interview her. I hired Marion on the spot. She was well qualified: a Master’s level, licensed social worker with broad experience with the elderly.

She did everything for my aunt that I would have done: she screened the aides and then supervised them; she made doctor appointments and took my aunt to them; she saw to it that there was enough good, fresh food in the refrigerator; she purchased and hooked up a TV for the aide; she was by my aunt’s side when she was hospitalized.

Marion was Aunt Syd’s strong, on-site advocate. She was my eyes and ears in Chicago. She kept me informed about every aspect of my aunt’s care through weekly phone contact.  And best of all, I didn’t have to be in two places at once, managing the care of three beloved, frail, elderly people!

Here are some of the questions I asked Marion at the interview:

• How long have you been a care manager?
• What is your background and training?
• How will you keep in touch with me?
• What was your most difficult case? What was your easiest?
• What services will you offer my aunt?
• What is your fee?
• How do you find and screen home health aides?
• Do you have references?

PEARL OF WISDOM:

Trust your gut feelings. There are many well-qualified care managers, but not all will be right for you.