The designations are the same. The title Aging Life Care Manager evolved from the Aging Life Care Association®, which offers certification for the Geriatric Care Manager designation. There are other ways to earn the credentials to become a Geriatric Care Manager. However, anyone with the knowledge and experience can use the title Geriatric Care Manager. I am a Professional member of the Aging Life Care Association®(ALCA). I am also a Certified Senior Advisor® (CSA). This credential gave me a broad knowledge base, including coursework in geriatric case management, dementia, psychology, legal, financial, Medicare, Social Security, and Veterans’ benefits.

It may be time to hire a geriatric care manager when you or someone you love needs more support with aging-related challenges, or when figuring out the next steps feels overwhelming. You don’t have to wait for a crisis. A care manager can also help you plan ahead for changing needs.

Consider reaching out when:

• Everyday life is becoming harder to manage, and you’re concerned about safety at home, personal care, or keeping up with daily responsibilities.

• Health needs are becoming more complex, with multiple conditions, providers, or services to coordinate.

• Memory loss or dementia-related changes leave you unsure how to respond or what support is needed.

• You live far away and need a knowledgeable local professional to help oversee care.

• Caregiving is becoming overwhelming or is affecting your own health, work, or family life.

• Family members disagree about care and would benefit from an objective professional’s guidance.

• You’re facing a transition, such as a return home from the hospital, arranging in-home support, or considering a move to a different living setting.

A geriatric care manager can assess the situation, explain available options, and help develop and coordinate a personalized plan. The goal is to support the older adult’s needs and preferences while giving everyone involved clearer direction and practical support. Asking for help doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you don’t have to navigate every decision alone.

Most older adults ideally want to age in place. When I work with individuals and families, I assess whether they can live safely in their home. That includes physical safety, such as their ability to climb stairs, and cognitive safety, such as whether they leave the stove on, forget to take their medication, or no longer know how to do simple tasks like taking out the trash or even bathing. The first step would be to assess whether they can live safely at home with outside support, such as family members or caregivers. If not, the next step is to look into an appropriate assisted living facility.

Traditional Medicare, most supplemental plans, and Medicaid do not cover geriatric care management services. Some supplemental plans do cover caregiving services. Long-term care policies can cover caregiving services, and some also cover care management. However, the policyholder must demonstrate that they need such services in order to complete their Activities of Daily Living or Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL).

I work collaboratively with a select group of referral agents to determine the best living environment for my clients. I often accompany clients and/or their families on facility visits to ensure that the facility meets their needs. Finances must be considered and may limit options, as may their clinical status and longevity factors at the time of their move.

An older adult has the right to make their own decisions unless a physician has deemed them to have limited capacity or the Court has deemed them incompetent. That means they also have the right to make poor decisions. A Geriatric Care Manager can participate objectively in the decision-making process and often offer the older adult a different perspective than a family member on why a move might be appropriate for their health and well-being. 

Yes. When a client goes to the ER or is admitted to the hospital, they need a knowledgeable medical advocate to help them and their family make informed decisions about short- and long-term care. This is particularly important if a family member lives out of town and decisions need to be made quickly. I can help you choose the right place for rehabilitation and recommend the best home health providers for rehabilitation and home care agencies for daily care.

I provide detailed communication with distant family members via phone, email, tele-recordings, and online meetings.

Care management needs vary for each client. Some individuals and families might need an initial consultation, assessment, and recommendations, followed by regular check-ins and as-needed communications. Other clients might need weekly visits and to attend all medical appointments. Then there are “just in time” cases, where an emergency occurs, and I can help evaluate and navigate critical, time-sensitive decisions.

I provide a free 30-minute consultation to evaluate your situation and ask relevant questions. If we agree to meet and work together, I will begin the assessment process by reviewing clinical histories, gathering a list of providers, evaluating the home environment, and collecting other relevant information. I will then draft a care plan to address short- and long-term needs. 

I am a strong advocate for older adults' rights. I help them maintain autonomy and independence for as long as possible while providing the resources to live fully and age wisely. I also take the time to listen to all family members and help them make informed decisions about their loved ones’ care. I will recommend, suggest, and advise, and always provide a “WHY.” Though a family member may seek out my services, my ethical responsibility will always be for the individual I serve.

I serve as a MPOA when my clients have no one else to represent them, or when the family chooses not to assume that responsibility. I also serve as a secondary MPOA for families who may not live locally but want someone nearby to assist with decision-making when they are not available. I take the responsibility as someone’s medical advocate very seriously and will always uphold the highest standards for ethical and morally responsible care.