A Day in the Life of a Geriatric Care Manager

8:30 a.m.: Read e-mail from a family requesting a recommendation for a therapist – their father needs to address his depression.

Another family requests information about alcohol treatment programs with a good track record with seniors.

A third e-mail says a family has not received a return call from an assisted living community in Alabama since mailing an application early last week.

9 a.m.: Send e-mails to numerous colleagues to obtain recommendations for therapists and alcohol treatment centers. Place call to the assisted living center in Alabama and leave
a message.

9:15 a.m.: Depart to escort a 100-year-old client to her doctor appointment.

9:45 a.m.: Help client select matching sweater and make sure she has her hearing aids in place.

10:30 a.m.: Attend appointment with patient and answer questions the doctor poses regarding how long she has had a wound on her leg and who is treating it. Receive doctor's orders for future treatment and explain the details to client. Schedule next visit on client's calendar.

11:30 a.m.: Share a lunch with client at the Southside Café and return to her retirement community.

12:30 p.m.: Assist client back to her room. Inform retirement community of doctor's results and treatment. Place next appointment on their calendars and indicate that the Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) will escort her to this appointment as well.

1:30 p.m.: Return to the office and e-mail 100-year-old client's son regarding outcome of today's doctor visit. E-mail results to primary physician.

2 p.m.: Receive an inquiry about engaging GCM services to access long-term care benefits for a womans' husband. Set up appointment for today at 4:30.

2:30 p.m.: Begin retrieving e-mails on recommendations for therapists and alcohol treatment centers. Will compile for family tomorrow.

3 p.m.: Receive return call from the assisted living facility in Alabama. Discuss their questions and explore options.

3:30 p.m.: Send e-mail to the clients regarding the complications with the Alabama center. Contact elder law attorney on their behalf.

4:30 p.m.: Meet with new client and review the long-term care insurance policy. Ascertain that they have already begun the claims process and speak to benefits specialist to clarify needs. Claim had been denied and GCM requested a re-consideration as inadequate information was obtained by the company. The husband is in the hospice inpatient unit and qualifies to access his benefits. Wife requests GCM to communicate with the insurance company so she can spend quality time with her husband. GCM greets husband who agrees to GCM services and signs authorization for insurance company to communicate with GCM on his behalf.

6 p.m.: Travel home to greet family and remind them we will be traveling to spend the weekend with 89-year-old Great Gran.

To share in the life of seniors reaps enormous rewards!