What do Aging Life Care Professionals™ Do?

By: VGFS
Friday, July 17, 2020

The graying of America has created the need for a new dimension in life care advocacy. Many people feel overwhelmed when an aging family member needs care.

Should my mother age in place or move to a residential facility? What’s a health care proxy and how can we get one? Can life insurance be used to pay for Dad’s long-term care? The issues related to aging life care are virtually endless. Whether it’s managing medical needs, household, finances, or some other aspect of their lives, families don’t always have the time or experience time to make the best decisions regarding their elderly loved ones.

Enter the Aging Life Care Professional™.

This health and human services specialist helps aging clients and their families to understand, access, and manage the complex world of eldercare. Acting as a concerned guide and advocate, they address a broad range of issues, including the availability, quality, and costs of various resources in their communities. Also known as geriatric care managers, these professionals are educated and experienced in any of several fields, which may include gerontology, nursing, social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and eldercare.

Help your loved one live his or her best life.

The Aging Life Care Professional™ assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential by addressing a broad range of issues related to their overall well-being. Independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals™ are members of the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA) and differ from patient advocates, senior advisors, and elder advocates. ALCA members must meet stringent requirements regarding education, experience, and certification. Additionally, members must adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice.

How might an Aging Life Care Professional™ help you?

Aging life care management provides a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults. Acting as an advocate and resource, he or she can assist with:

  • Medical issues: This may include determining the types of services needed; attending doctor appointments and facilitating communication between the physician, client, and family; and assisting in engaging and monitoring those services.
  • Financial matters: Services may include overseeing bill paying; consulting with a client’s accountant or Power of Attorney; and completing and reviewing insurance claims and applications.
  • Housing: When families and clients need help evaluating housing options, such as whether their aging loved one can continue to live safely in their residence with in-home care or should move to a care facility, they can help research, arrange for and coordinate those services.
  • Advocacy: Aging life care professionals are often powerful and effective advocates for clients and their families, promoting their client’s wishes with health care and other providers.
  • Legal: They can refer clients to a network of legal experts, such as elder law attorneys and estate planners, and facilitate the process.
  • Crisis intervention: Most offer emergency response assistance, helping clients navigate through emergency room situations, hospitalizations, and stays in rehabilitation facilities.

If you are a long-distance caregiver, these services can be especially helpful. An aging life care manager who lives in the same area as your loved one can help you coordinate care, provide regular updates on his or her condition, and even attend doctor’s appointments.

Get the peace of mind you deserve.

An Aging Life Care Professional™ can be an invaluable resource, improving the lives of you and your elderly loved ones. To find aging life care management options in your area, you can search via the ACLA website or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Eldercare Locator.

Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has extensive elder care resources at our disposal. We would be honored to help you locate a professional to meet your unique needs. Please contact us for assistance.

About Vaughn Greene Funeral Services: For more than 20 years, Vaughn Greene Funeral Services has been providing a ministry of care to Baltimore’s African American community. As a leading local, minority- and family-owned provider, we promise to provide our highest level of service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved ones. For more information, please call us at 410.655.0015 or visit us online at https://vaughncgreene.com/.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Seasonal Tips for Renewal: 8 Ways to Refresh Your Mind and Body This Spring

Whether you want to shake things up or find calm in everyday moments, these seasonal tips for renewal can help you thrive this spring. Spring is a season of new beginnings. As the world around us ...

10 Essential Steps: Your Funeral Pre-Planning Checklist

A funeral pre-planning checklist can help you make thoughtful choices now that will bring peace of mind later. Planning your own funeral may not be something you look forward to, but it’s a powerf...

What Does Repast Mean at a Funeral? A Complete Guide to Post-Funeral Gatherings

Knowing what repast means at a funeral is key to appreciating how food, fellowship, and remembrance come together in times of loss. If you’ve ever heard the term “repast” mentioned in connection w...

National Minority Health Month: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Health Disparities

April is National Minority Health Month, the perfect time to shed light on the health disparities affecting many communities in the U.S. While we may be aware of the concept of health equity, unde...

What to Consider When Deciding Where to Sit at a Funeral

Where to sit at a funeral isn’t always obvious, but knowing the basic rules can help you feel more at ease. Walking into a funeral or memorial service can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re...

Funeral Planning for Blended Families: Navigating Complex Relationships

Funeral planning for blended families can be complex, but with open communication and care, it can also present a beautiful opportunity to honor a departed loved one. Blended families are increasi...

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Why Early Detection Saves Lives

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month shines a light on a disease that affects thousands of Americans each year. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common and deadliest cancers, affecting thousands ...

Sudden Bereavement: 7 Coping Strategies for Dealing with Unexpected Loss

The jarring reality of dealing with unexpected loss can make it difficult to cope, but you're not alone in your grief. Losing a loved one is always difficult, but when a death is sudden and unexpe...

Wondering About the Importance of Obituaries? Eight Important Things to Know

The importance of obituaries lies in their ability to publicly share a loved one’s journey and the qualities that define them. Obituaries play a vital role in commemorating and remembering departe...

How Much Do You Know About Medical Alert Systems for Seniors?

A medical alert system is one of the best investments you can make for the safety and security of an aging loved one. Falls are a leading cause of injury among older adults, with one in four senio...