What Is a Geriatric Care Manager?

A Geriatric Care Manager is a professional trained to help assess the health, social, and care needs of older people, and to help the people they work with understand what care and services are available to meet those needs.

A Geriatric Care Manager is a human service professional, generally with an educational background in social work, nursing, and gerontology, often with advanced degrees and certifications.

The training and experience of a Geriatric Care Manager gives them the expertise to:

• Assess the care needs of the elderly, whether these needs are social, emotional, physical, or a combination of these.
• Identify services in the community that can meet the elderly person's needs and will fit their budget.
• Provide information and referrals so that the elderly person's family can make informed decisions. Referrals might be to an attorney who specializes in elder law or to a geriatrician.
• Make all arrangements for health care services.
• Identify and evaluate long-term care options and, if needed, facilitate the process of moving into a long-term care facility.
• Oversee the Care Plan on a regular basis and make recommendations when changes may be necessary.
• Act as an advocate for the elderly person and their family.