Geriatric Care Consultants
What does the initial Assessment address?
Daily living functional ability
Current medical status
Medical history
Pending medical needs
Safety concerns – physical safety
Legal and Financial issues
Cognitive function and judgment
Dementia/Alzheimer’s
Emotional, social and spiritual issues
Mental health concerns
Nutrition
P.O. Box 665, Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 415-1365
The Process
Generally the process starts with a phone consultation, followed by a home visit to the care recipient and their family. This initial Assessment is vital to establishing a baseline for medical, social, financial and legal concerns and to begin the process of creating a long term care plan.
The client’s goals and concerns are taken into account as are a variety of other issues such as financial status, legal issues and mental and physical ability, as well as the concerns of other family members and the overall wellbeing of the client.
A long term care plan is a great tool for the family to use as a guide for what may happen in the near future and how they might be better prepared emotionally and physically for the coming changes in health and ability that are inevitable in the aging process.
Following the Assessment and depending on the recommendations contained in the care plan, the client may require ongoing Care Management – or periodic monitoring. This is especially true with clients whose family members are not local or those wishing to remain in their own homes but who aren’t exactly self sufficient. Care Management would include daily or weekly phone calls, scheduling of caregivers and/or doctor’s visits as necessary, and ongoing assessments of the client’s mental and physical status.
Do you need Care Management?
Ask yourself the following:- Do you know the best living situation for your loved one?
- Are you stressed and find that your relationships are suffering due to the care you are providing to your parent?
- Is your family in conflict with one another over how to handle taking care of your parent?
- Have you noticed changes in your loved one’s memory or ability to perform simple daily tasks?
- Have you seen your mom or dad’s driving ability deteriorate?
- Do you worry about your parent paying their bills on time and with accuracy?
- Are you concerned about your parent’s financial decision making skills and potential abuse from telephone and internet scams targeting older people?
- Are you unable to maintain the level of contact you think is necessary for your parent to feel safe and secure?
- Does your loved one need caregivers and someone to manage hiring and scheduling them?