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When seniors and persons with disabilities make the decision to age-in-place and remain living in their homes, some also decide (depending on their budgets) to hire a care manager to assist them with their current and future health care and personal needs.

Health Care Managers (HCMs), as they are sometimes known, may be trained in a number of related human services fields including:  gerontology, nursing, social work, and psychology—they also usually maintain a professional emphasis on specific issues related to aging.

Much like the residential modifications offered by Home Evolutions, these qualified care specialists also allow people to live comfortably and safely in their own homes with as much independence as possible. In other words, HCMs act as guides and advocates—identifying problems and offering solutions to help seniors and persons with disabilities attain their maximum, functional potential. For example, HCMs may identify dietary and nutritional concerns, financial problems, health care options, personal organization needs, potential safety risks, socialization opportunities, transportation issues, and much more.

HCMs generally provide comprehensive care assessments, develop a care plan to maximize independence and well being, arrange and implement care services, as well as monitor, reevaluate, and adjust their clients’ care plans and services as needed.

Home assessments are complete living evaluations designed to optimize older persons’ abilities to enjoy good health, improve their overall quality of life, reduce the need for hospitalization, and enable them to live independently for as long as possible.

The care plan lists all identified problems from the home assessment, suggests specific interventions or actions required, and makes recommendations regarding the resources that are needed to provide any necessary care services.

HCMs also help seniors and persons with disabilities determine what they can do independently, prioritize care options, consider affordability, and then arrange care services and monitor needs in ongoing, process reassessments. 

In addition to helping seniors and persons with disabilities directly, HCMs sometimes act as effective liaisons to attorneys, trust officers, physicians, social workers, and home-care companies. 

HCMs can also assist in dealing with clients’ social issues, help link them to other community resources, and suggest future residential options. You should schedule your own personal assessment to determine what you will specifically need and what type of HCM specialist you should hire to best help you age-in-place.

As with any other health care option, affordability and cost are important considerations when deciding whether or not to hire a HCM. Private care managers’ fees can range from $50-$200 per hour. There may be assistance options available if you are unable to afford these rates. Low- or no-cost geriatric care management is often available through community agencies, senior services organizations, or other non-profit agencies. In addition, most states offer a Medicaid waiver program that provides geriatric care management and in-home services for individuals who are 65 years of age and older.

Here are a few exceptional organizations you can contact for more information on this growing professional and convenient option for seniors and persons with disabilities who wish to remain living independently in their homes:

• National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM)
• National Academy of Certified Care Managers (NACCM)
• The Foundation for Health in Aging (FHA) Physician Referral Service
• United States Administration on Aging

Learn more about Health Care Managers in these related articles:

• Geriatric Care Management (Assessment)
• Talking With Your Doctor: A Guide for Older People
• What Does a Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) Do?