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What is Geriatric Care Management?
by Jeannie Krause-Taylor, MSW, LCSW, ACSW
Hi %$firstname$%,
Welcome
to the first issue of our new newsletter. Each month we'll be
providing you with the best resources and articles to help you help
the older adult in your life.
This
month we are beginning with a definition of Geriatric Care Management
from our professional organization, the National Association of
Professional Geriatric Care Managers:
"A
Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PGCM) is a health and human
services specialist who helps families who are caring for older
relatives. The PGCM is trained and experienced in any of several
fields related to long-term care, including, but not limited to
nursing, gerontology, social work, or psychology, with a specialized
focus on issues related to aging and elder care.
The
PGCM assists older adults and persons with disabilities in attaining
their maximum functional potential. In addition, the PGCM is an
experienced guide and resource for families of older adults and
others with chronic needs.
Geriatric
care managers who are members of the National Association of
Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) www.caremanager.org
are committed to adhering to the NAPGCM Pledge
of Ethics
and Standards of Practice."
Jeannie
Krause-Taylor, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, is a member of the NAPGCM. Pathways
for Aging staff are licensed professional clinical social workers
with backgrounds in aging and/or mental health. We believe that our
professional training provides us with the ability to complete
comprehensive assessments which incorporate physical, mental,
emotional, and social areas of the older adult's life. Too
often distinctions are made between physical health and mental
health. We focus on the "whole person", and strive to
evaluate our clients in the context of their environment, one of the
major precepts of the social work profession. All clients are seen
where they reside, albeit their private home or senior housing.
We
not only assess the older adult's physical & psychological
problems, but their support system - that is family, friends,
and community before making recommendations. We consider the older
adult's lifestyle and peer group, in determining what resources
they may be comfortable with. To learn more about comprehensive
psychosocial assessments and whether an in-home assessment may assist
you and your family in making decisions and saving time call or email
us. This month's resource.....
National Healthcare Decisions Day
On April 16, 2008, join Americans across
the country to talk to others about your future healthcare decisions
and to complete your advance directive!
The
National Healthcare Decisions Day (NHDD) Initiative is a collaborative
effort of national, state and community organizations committed to ensuring
that all adults with decision-making capacity in the United States have
the information and opportunity to communicate and document their healthcare
decisions.
Get to know our team.....
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Jeannie
Krause-Taylor, MSW, LCSW, ACSW, founded Pathways for Aging, in 2004.
As a society, we
are living longer and have increasing expectations of an active and
independent lifestyle. In today's busy & hectic world,
families often lack the time to research resources & options,
which may enable their loved one to continue to live independently.
Families may not live in the same community as the older/impaired
adult or know where to begin to access these services.
I
opened Pathways for Aging after having worked as a social
worker in a large metropolitan hospital for many years, I know from
experience, the concerns and feelings experienced by families
attempting to cope with similar issues, as they receive conflicting
messages and recommendations from healthcare providers, about what is
best for their family member. I have seen the emotional roller
coaster, as families attempt to balance these recommendations, with
their loved one's desire to continue living independently. I
have also witnessed the strain on caregivers, as they try to balance
careers, children, and relationships with the needs of their
older/impaired adult family member.
I believe there
has to be a better way for us to value aging in our society, for us
to feel good about aging. Through Pathways For Aging my goal is to
help older adults and their families to navigate the challenges and
find the rewards of living a long and productive life.
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Pathways for Aging, Inc.
Helping you help the older adults
in your life.
Contact us at 314.361.3530
or e-mail us here.
Geriatric Care Management Psychotherapy
6614 Clayton Road, #235
St. Louis, Missouri 63117
How We Can Help
Personalized Care Management from the staff at Pathways
for Aging provides:
Customized information about community resources to meet
the needs of your loved one.
Peace of mind if you are separated from
your loved one by geography or by a vacation or business trip.
Someone to act as your eyes and ears,
and troubleshoots problems before they become crises.
A supportive advocate if you need to make
life-altering decisions which impact quality-of-life, such as medical
decisions, whether your loved one is able to continue independent living,
when is it time to consider alternative housing, etc.
A professional to help with strained
family relationships and negotiating difficult decisions.
Call us today at 314.361.3530 to see how we can help you. |
