If you have an elderly parent who lives out-of-state, it can be difficult to keep tabs on his or her health, and the decision to transition your mom or dad into long-term care can be especially heartbreaking.  With our increasingly mobile society, though, you’re far from alone.  More and more of us can’t live near our elderly parents, and a new group of professionals have emerged to help families care for their elderly relatives.

They’re called Geriatric Care Managers (GCM’s), and they provide a range of services, from assessing an elderly person’s need for nursing home care, to finding ways for your elderly parent to remain at home for as long as possible. He or she can also provide screening for long-term care service providers, and can act as a liaison between out-of-town family members and caregivers.

Generally, a Geriatric Care Manager is a person with a background in nursing, social work, psychology, or gerontology.  He or she should have a particular interest issues associated with elder care and aging. 

Because this is a relatively new field, it is largely unregulated, so it’s important that you check the references of any Geriatric Care Manager before hiring him or her.  It’s also important to get a written contract specifying the GCM’s terms of service, emergency contact policy, and fee schedule. You should also see if he or she is certified by an organization such as the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. 

To find out more about Geriatric Care Managers, you can contact your parent’s doctor, a local assisted living facility, or the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers.

The Law Offices Of Cheryl David is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.

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