Are you caring for an elder parent while trying to navigate your own life’s chaos? Caregivers of today are often juggling both their parents, children, and own lives. You may think this is a task you can handle alone, but often it is best to hire a care manager before you even realize it.
When to Hire a Care Manager:
Consider hiring a care manager in the early stages of care. By doing so you will receive the guidance of an elder expert to anticipate and plan your loved one’s needs. One of the biggest challenges as a caregiver is the feeling of being overwhelmed and not having proper resources. Care managers will assist in navigation and planning before the issues arise. A good care manager is able to anticipate based on your loved one’s health history.
What exactly does a Care Manager do?
Care Managers plan, coordinate, and assist with health care and life planning needs
Coordinate transitions of care such as inpatient hospitalizations, or health status changes.
Provide resources for services such as home health aide, respite care, and medical appointments
Facilitate cohesive communication between family, care team, and patient
Manage complex care situations when your loved one is being followed by several providers or specialists.
Provide emotional support for both patient and caregiver.
What are the Costs Associated with care managers?
Care Management services are not covered by Medicare or Medicaid, They are also rarely covered by private pay insurance. Fees vary widely based on services offered, length of the agreement, and experience of the care manager. The average cost ranges from $100-250/hr. Although services are out of pocket, the use of a care manager can often save you in the long run from wasting time and money. In addition to saving time and money, care manager utilization reduces the risk of caregiver burnout.
How to Select the right care manager?
Selecting the right care manager makes all of the difference, Care Managers are not only vital parts of your loved ones’ care team, they can be like family. Ideally, you want to have a relationship where you are comfortable in voicing your frustrations and concerns without judgment. Equally, your care manager should be able to share the difficult truths about your loved one condition with you. Here are a few questions to ask when looking for a care manager?
How long have you been in your select field?
You’ll want to find a care manager with experience that fits your family’s needs.
What is your background?
Care Managers come from multiple professional backgrounds such as Nursing, social work, and mental health workers. Depending on your parent’s needs, you’ll want to take this into consideration. Nurse care managers have a broad background that includes disease-specific training as well as social service evaluation.
When are you available? What methods of contact do you offer?
Availability and Flexibility in a care manager provide you with peace of mind in knowing you’ll have someone to reach out to when you need. Additionally, in today’s days of tech, resources such as video conferencing provide tools to communicate and build relationships without distance being a barrier.
How will you improve the quality of my loved one’s life?
Is this not the most important question? At the end of the day, you’re hiring a care manager to assure safe, quality care is provided to your loved one.
After meeting with and interviewing care managers, consider chemistry. Do you click or vibe well with them? Comfort with your care manager cannot be stressed. A care manager is like having a nurse in the family, without the challenges of horrible family gatherings. They’re there to make life easier while providing emotional support to not only your loved one but also you.