WHAT ON EARTH IS CARE MANAGEMENT?

by Anat Louis, PsyD

No matter where you fall in the 50+ age range, every person ages differently and has different needs. And, while there is no cookie cutter approach to addressing those needs, everyone deserves a healthy living environment, the opportunity for social connections, and a balanced active lifestyle to live their best life.

HOW CARE MANAGEMENT CAN HELP

Social workers for older adults are often referred to as Care Coordinators or Case Managers. They are contacted when a person needs some level of help to remain as independent as possible to stay living in their home as long as possible. The care manager’s role is to assist with coordinating their client’s care and connecting them to available and appropriate services. This can be via an in-person home visit, office visit, or over the telephone. Depending on the circumstance, and with the client’s permission, the care manager may also engage with the family, and/or other professionals to ensure that their client is receiving the right care and services.

Because each person’s needs vary depending on their living situation, finances, medical, and support systems, care manager’s determine which program or organization can best help and connect their client accordingly. Some clients’ needs may be more complex and require “wrap around” services that involve multiple agencies providing support. Typically, the higher the person’s care needs are, the more resources and support systems will be needed.

To determine the type of care a client needs, the Care Manager meets with the client, usually in their home, to learn more about their background, find out what they are looking for and to complete an assessment of their ability to care for themselves and live independently. An assessment is just a structured conversation to learn about the client’s needs and preferences. For example, does the client need help with bathing, dressing, grooming, shopping, cooking, and/ or maintaining their finances?

Care Managers can also connect clients with complex medical and/or mental health needs to long-term support services (LTSS). Because long-term care services are often offered through state and county programs, clients often need the help of a care manager to navigate the process and help translate the information they receive.

At 78-years old, Victoria M was at risk of losing her apartment when her work as an aesthetician came to a standstill during the pandemic. Fearing eviction, and unaware that she could apply for unemployment benefits, Victoria took out two separate loans to pay her rent. Once lockdown restrictions had lifted, Victoria faced some health challenges that prevented her from working as much as she had before the pandemic. That’s when Victoria reached out to WISE and with our care manager’s help, got a housing voucher and was connected to services that helped address her financial situation. Now, Victoria can pay her rent, and is working to pay off her loans.

WHERE TO FIND A CARE MANAGER

Care managers can be found in the following settings: hospitals, hospice care, community-based organizations (such as a senior center), and health clinics. In hospitals, social workers are more clinically based, licensed and/or have a nursing background.

Social workers/care managers from community-based organizations usually have limitations due to funding sources and are short term and provide service for up to six months or less. Private social workers, which the client pays for their time and services, have less limitations since the client drives what they want to pay for.

SERVICES A CARE MANAGER COORDINATES

• Accessing government assistance (if qualified)

• Nutrition services

• Housing resources

• Disability & mental health resources

• Referring and connecting to other organizations

• And much more

CARE MANAGEMENT IS A GREAT SERVICE TO HELP OLDER ADULTS STAY LIVING AT HOME FOR AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW NEEDS SERVICES TO STAY IN THEIR HOME, PLEASE CONTACT:

310-394-9871