As an Elder Care Specialist/Certified Care Manager, I serve as a guide, a resource and a support system for family members caring for older and/or disabled relatives by offering compassionate support and assistance through the many challenges of the aging process and health care maze. The many other ways I can help are:
- Providing comprehensive assessments to identify areas of concern, safety issues and assess the person's cognitive status. I then make recommendations to help improve safety, well-being and quality of life.
- Assist in implementing recommendations noted above (if family requests).
- Assist families in navigating the health care system by informing and assisting with steps to be taken.
- Educate family members on resources available and assist in making contact with such resources if desired.
- Assist with placement to various levels of care (when/if needed) from home care services, independent and/or assisted living facilities and nursing homes.
- Monitor in home care and make recommendations as needed to be sure client is getting their needs met.
- Identify changes/concerns in client's well-being, advise and assist with decisions related to safety issues, memory impairment, etc.
- Advocate for clients when there are issues that are not being addressed and/or their needs are not being met.
** I work with families who live out of town (or in town) that need a liaison to help communication between family members, doctors, health care professionals and service providers and alert families to any changes.
Advocate for client rights.
I have extensive knowledge in quality of care, costs and availability of resources in the Roanoke Valley and I have been working in elder-care for 20 years.
** I visit clients in their homes or various other settings to be sure their needs are being met and that rules and regulations are being followed.
** My experience consists of working as a Social worker in the nursing home setting for 5 years, 2 years in a doctor's office and 6 years in a home care company. I have been working as an Elder Care Specialist/Geriatric Care Manager for 10 years. I have my bachelor's degree in Psychology and maintain my certification as a Geriatric Care Manager, which mandates ongoing education in elder care topics several times a year.
** I work with and refer to Elder-law attorneys, home care companies, geriatric and mental health specialists.