Care Management fees are typically out of pocket costs.

Medicare, Medicaid and health insurance very rarely pay for the services provided by care managers. On occasion, long term care insurance policies will reimburse for these costs and is always worth checking into with the policy’s carrier.

In addition to the convenience and security they provide, Care Managers usually save families money despite being an out-of-pocket cost because their needs assessments align an individual’s present condition with only those services that are necessary at that point in time. This prevents unnecessary fees from home care providers and assisted living residences.

Our current service territory is the city of Chicago and the Northern suburbs. Call today for a free consultation: 847-217-6507

Aging Life Care / geriatric care management is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. Working with families, the expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals™ provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers through:

• Assessment and monitoring
• Planning and problem-solving
• Education and advocacy
• Family caregiver coaching
• Long-distance caregiving

Aging Life Care Professionals are engaged to assist in a variety of areas, such as:

• Housing – helping families evaluate and select appropriate level of housing or residential options
• Home care services – determining types of services that are right for a client and assisting the
  family to engage and monitor those services
• Medical management – attending doctor appointments, facilitating communication between
  doctor, client, and family, and if appropriate, monitoring client’s adherence to medical orders
  and instructions
• Communication – keeping family members and professionals informed as to the well-being and
  changing needs of the client
• Social activities – providing opportunity for client to engage in social, recreational, or cultural
  activities that enrich the quality of life
• Legal – referring to or consulting with an elder law attorney; providing expert opinion for courts
  in determining level of care
• Financial – may include reviewing or overseeing bill paying or consulting with accountant or
  client’s Power of Attorney
• Entitlements – providing information on Federal and state entitlements; connecting families to
  local programs
• Safety and security – monitoring the client at home; recommending technologies to add to
  security or safety; observing changes and potential risks of exploitation or abuse
• Long-distance care – coordinating the care of a loved one for families that live at a distance;
  including crisis management
• Local, cost-effective resources are identified and engaged as needed.
  A care plan tailored for each individual’s circumstances is prepared after a comprehensive assessment.
• The plan may be modified, in consultation with client and family, as circumstances change.

An Aging Life Care Professional, also known as a geriatric care manager, is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults. The Aging Life Care Professional is educated and experienced in any of several fields related to aging life care / care management, including, but not limited to gerontology, nursing, social work, psychology, or occupational therapy, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care. The Aging Life Care Professional assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential. The individual’s independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals are able to address a broad range of issues related to the well-being of their client. They also have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their
communities.

Aging Life Care Professionals become the “coach” and families or clients the “team captain.” Aging Life Care Professionals are members of the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA) and differ from Patient Advocates, Senior Advisors, Senior Navigators, and Elder Advocates. ALCA members must meet stringent education, experience, and certification requirements of the organization, and all members are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice.

Aging Life Care services are offered in a variety of settings. Professionals can serve the needs of their
clients by providing:

• Personalized and compassionate service — focusing on the individual’s wants and needs.
• Accessibility — care is typically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Continuity of care – communications are coordinated between family members, doctors and
  other professionals, and service providers.
• Cost containment — inappropriate placements, duplication of services, and unnecessary
  hospitalizations are avoided.
• Quality control – aging life care services follow ALCA’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

Thank you to the Aging Life Care Association™ for permission for us to share this information. You may
learn more about Aging Life Care™ at aginglifecare.org.

When caregiving for an aging family member becomes overwhelming, it may be time to contact an Aging Life Care Professional.

You may need an Aging Life Care Professional if:

• The person you are caring for has limited or no family support.
• Your family has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction about
  available services.
• The person you are caring for has multiple medical or psychological issues.
• The person you are caring for is unable to live safely in his/her current environment.
• Your family is either “burned out” or confused about care solutions.
• Your family has limited time and/or expertise in dealing with your loved ones’ chronic care
  needs.
• Your family is at odds regarding care decisions.
• The person you are caring for is not pleased with current care providers and requires advocacy.
• The person you are caring for is confused about his/her own financial and/or legal situation.
• Your family needs education and/or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with
  dementia.
• You live at a distance from your loved one.