Home-based geriatric care is a relatively unregulated field, and many people without specialized training identify themselves as
care managers, care coordinators or care advisers.
Therefore, it?s wise to screen candidates to ensure that you?re working with a person qualified for this role.
The Federal Trade Commission offers these guidelines for conducting your search:
• Ask about candidates? training, education and background in care management and geriatrics.
• Ask how long they?ve been a geriatric care manager (GCM) and whether they belong to the
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers or any other
professional associations.
• Ask candidates what their average response time is to return calls
from clients and their families. Have them describe their communication system: Do they use pagers, portable phones, an answering service or voice mail?
• Learn
about their agency?s size, hours and staff composition. How are after-hours
emergencies handled? What are the back-up systems for covering vacations and
days off? Will you work with one GCM or several?
• Investigate the GCM?s track record and reputation. Ask for letters of reference or names of previous clients you may contact. Is the GCM
active in professional associations? Does the GCM perform volunteer work? While
there are no licensing requirements for GCMs, there are certification programs.
• Ask each candidate you interview if he or she is certified, and by whom.
• Determine the scope of the GCM?s practice. Some GCMs or agencies specialize in assessments and
care consultation but typically don?t follow people on an ongoing basis. An
assessment is a thorough review of the client?s physical, medical and mental
status, and financial resources. It serves as the basis for a comprehensive plan
for the client. Other GCMs offer psychotherapy, money management or home care.
They also can act as conservators, appointed by a court to manage the financial
and/or personal affairs of someone unable to manage his or her own affairs. It?s
important that the GCM?s practice setting and specialties meet your needs.
• Confusion about fees and billing can be a problem. Be sure you understand the
GCM?s billing rates and how charges are calculated. Fees vary depending on the
GCM?s work setting ? private practice, public agency or private nonprofit
agency. Get a written service agreement that outlines the fee structure and
practices.
Source: Selecting a geriatric care manager, a Web page of the Federal Trade Commission.
