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So How are your Parents Doing?
Posted by: DeLila Bergan on December 06, 2007
SO HOW ARE YOUR PARENTS DOING?
When you were a young adult, your parents, like most, took on the roles of leaders, guidance counselors, authoritarians, rule makers, etc., with the goal to assist the child to develop into a productive, contributing and able adult. With that said, parents tried to protect and shield us from the unpleasantness of everyday events or from dangerous situations and, in doing so, may have limited information to us.
As our own adulthood continues, the roles can often reverse, but the mindset may not. Our parents still may limit information to us, but for different reasons. They may not want to "bother" us with day-to-day issues about their health, financial or household concerns. This may partially stem from their initial roles as parents, but, with aging, there may also be worries regarding the possible loss of independence or privacy. They may be embarrassed about the need to rely on others to help with functions that once were routine and manageable.
Health issues are on the rise in this and other countries, and often continue to increase with age -- even the best kept machinery can break down. It is difficult enough as a health care consumer to understand the medical issues related to our own health concerns. Imagine a senior who has developed some health changes which may result in being on a new medication that may or may not have side effects. In turn, this has increased his monthly financial costs and may also require more frequent visits to the physician for follow-up and monitoring. While at the physician's office, the senior has limited office visit time and the doctor may speak at a rapid pace in a language that may not be understood or possibly not even heard well if there is any type of hearing loss. This can be a confusing and overwhelming time for anyone!
As an adult child, how can you help? Due to our daily obligations and lifestyles, and even our locations, it may be beneficial to bring in an outside advocate for the older adult. The advocate can assist with assessing the senior's needs, while taking into account his or her wants, abilities and financial status. This advocate may be a geriatric care manager or a certified case manager who has experience in dealing with the senior population and who is knowledgeable about community resources as well as health issues. Typically, a case/care manager is hired on a private-pay basis and will interview your parent(s), perform medication and home safety assessments and verify treatment plans with the physicians(s). The case/care manager's key role is to help identify any issues and to offer solutions, when possible, so that the senior may age safely in the most appropriate setting. He or she can also help the senior and the family locate and put in place needed health care or household services. Ongoing monitoring by the case/care manager may be offered or needed to assure continuity of care, appropriateness of services and effective communication between the health care providers and the senior client.
The care/case manager's services are often billed on an hourly basis and, depending on the situation, may only require a few hours of work. Current rates in the DFW area range from $100 to $175 per hour, but will vary regionally. In assessing the value of hiring a care/case manager, you must consider the price of peace of mind from knowing that an expert is there to assist and provide oversight and to potentially avoid a worsening health situation with its own financial and personal ramifications. If you are an adult child who does not live in the area, you can rest more easily knowing that someone is actually observing your parent(s) face to face and obtaining an accurate and current picture of their situation. As with anyone who is "hired", you must ask about credentials and licensing during the interview process, as well as standards of practice and billing procedures.
How do you find a care manager? You may contact the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers at www.caremanager.org or the Case Management Society of America at www.cmsa.org. Another source is www.mcasemanager.com which lists independent case managers and their specialties. You also may refer to the Geriatric Care Manager section of the E-Senior Services website (www.e-seniorservices.net), or you may be able to contact a local hospital or senior center, ask the local Area Agency on Aging for a care manager, or even check with www.eldercare.gov, an offering from the Department of Health and Human Services.
Our seniors are a special population and we all must put forth our best efforts to help them maintain their dignity, safety and health status -- they did the same for us at a time when we needed them.
By Cheryl A. Acres, RN, CCM, Owner, Comprehensive Care Management, LLC
E-mail: www.txcasemanager.com
Ms. Acres has been in health care for over 28 years as an RN and, in 1998, she obtained her certification as a case manager (CCM). Her case management practice settings have included group health insurance, home health care, Workers' Compensation, disability management and consulting. Her clinical practice experience includes acute care and home health care. Her case management areas of practice include geriatrics, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, chronic illnesses, complex medical/surgical cases, wound care, oncology and transplants. She is the owner of Comprehensive Care Management, LLC, an independent case management practice. Ms. Acres' business focus is to provide advocacy to clients and their families as they transition through the health care maze.
Ms. Acres is a member of the Case Management Society of America (www.cmsa.org) and has held multiple board positions in the DFW chapter (www.dfwcmsa.com), including president, recording secretary and board member. She has served as co-chair of the Chapter's various conferences and committees. She was awarded the Chapter's Case Manager of the Year Award in 2006.
For more information on geriatric care/case managers and Comprehensive Care Management, please see the Geriatric Care Manager section of our web site.
