Dear Vanessa,
My mom is getting older, and I keep hearing about geriatric care management. What exactly is it? When should families consider it, and how do we choose the right person?”
Lucy
Dear Lucy,
Thank you for your question. Many families only hear about geriatric care management when they’re already overwhelmed or forced to make rushed decisions. A geriatric care manager serves as a personal navigator for aging- someone who helps families make sense of medical care, safety concerns, caregiving needs, emotional changes, and even disagreements within the family. Instead of trying to manage everything alone, you gain guidance, expertise, and a thoughtful plan.
In everyday terms, a care manager takes time to understand your loved one’s whole situation, not just their medical condition, but also their emotional, cognitive, social, and safety needs. They create a care plan that reflects who your parent is- their personality, cultural background, values, and financial realities. They coordinate the services your parent may need, whether that involves doctors, caregivers, transportation, therapy, home care providers, or even help choosing where to live if circumstances change. Most importantly, they advocate for your loved one, helping ask the right questions and guiding families toward decisions that protect dignity and support quality of life. They are there to prevent guesswork and ease guilt when important choices need to be made.
Families usually benefit from a care manager when a new diagnosis creates uncertainty, when someone lives alone and safety becomes a concern, when family members live far away or work full-time, when siblings disagree about next steps, or when it’s unclear whether staying home, receiving care, or moving to a facility is best. In these moments, having an expert by your side brings clarity and direction.
To find a trusted professional, I always recommend starting with the Aging Life Care Association, also known as ALCA. They provide a list of vetted geriatric care managers by location and specialty, making it easier to choose someone qualified. It is wise to interview more than one, because experience matters, but so does personality. Your parent deserves someone who communicates well, understands their values, and feels like a good fit. Not every expert will match every family, and that’s perfectly okay- you have options.
Aging well should not feel like navigating a maze alone. If you’re unsure whether home care is enough or whether your family would benefit from professional guidance, it’s worth reaching out and asking questions. Understanding your options is often the first step toward peace of mind.
Warmly, Vanessa
