4 Signs You Need to Hire A Geriatric Care Manager

Hiring Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Management for a loved one is one of the most important decisions a person can make. Whether you are caring for a beloved spouse, parent, aunt, or uncle, a Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Manager can make a world of difference for your family and loved ones. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to know when hiring someone for this position is the right move to make…so let’s take a look at four signs that mean you should consider it!

But first…

What does a Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Manager do?

At Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses, our care managers are available to meet almost any need your family requires. We like to think of it as “Your Daughter For Hire.” ℠ Consider all of the help that a family member can provide for an older person…escorting to appointments, picking up medication, grocery shopping, Client Advocacy, paying bills, and more. Our Geriatric Care Managers are Registered Nurses, thoroughly screened, and uniquely qualified to help elderly family members through this fee-for-service model. It’s like having a resource to turn to with any medical question you encounter. Read more about our GCM service here.

So, how do you know when you need to hire a Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Manager?

While this list isn’t all-inclusive, if you recognize one or more of the signs below in your own life, it’s a good idea to start searching for a qualified Geriatric Care Manager for the elderly loved ones in your life.

There are no family members in the local area. It’s no longer uncommon for generations of families to be geographically separated. Whether someone moves out of the area (or even out of state) for a new job, to attend school, or to put roots elsewhere, a sad reality is that when elderly relatives begin to need assistance, there may not be any family nearby. Changing jobs or dropping out of school to move back home can be a massive decision, and one that is not right for everyone. This is a wonderful opportunity for a trusted Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Manager to step in and provide the sort of assistance required, even if only just once or twice a week.

Financial pressures do not allow you to take significant time off. An unfortunate reality of life is that about the time your kids are getting ready for college, your parents may start needing assistance with health care. Combine this with mortgages, loans, and other normal living expenses, and it may be nearly impossible to quit your job to take care of an elderly parent. If an unexpected health crisis strikes, or your parent is suddenly unable or unwilling to drive, you may not be in a position to take over full-time care, or to help with daily tasks. Although geriatric care management is not free, it can relieve significant financial burdens by allowing you to continue working and ensure that your loved one is cared for. Remember, we are “Your Daughter For Hire.”℠

There are disagreements regarding how to care for a parent. Perhaps it has already been established that a loved one needs in home care. The challenges come into play when there are multiple children who have many different opinions as to how things should be handled. In this instance, a Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Manager can help facilitate a clear understanding of the care required while taking into consideration all of the opinions and concerns. Your Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Manager acts as a mediator and Client Advocate, ensuring the proper care decisions are made.

The stress of full-time care is impacting you negatively. While many caregivers may not want to acknowledge that this happens, it’s very possible that juggling finances, kids, a job, an elderly relative, a household, and more might eventually become too heavy a burden to handle alone (especially without a break)! Geriatric Care Managers are a wonderful option for someone who wants to make sure their family member is taken care of, but also needs help with the time and resources required to take care of another adult. It is no small job, and it’s certainly ok to know when you need help. You maintain control, we absorb the stress.

Did you recognize yourself or a family member in any of the four scenarios above? If so, you might want to consider hiring a Registered Nurse Geriatric Care Manager for the loved ones in your family who need a little extra help. Contact Pennsylvania Agency of Nurses today to see how we can help ease your mind and lighten your load, and take excellent care of the ones you love.