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by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image by Jenn Durfey via Flickr.com As loved ones age, their families are faced with making sure their needs are met through geriatric care. This can be especially true when those loved ones have mental or medical conditions. Sometimes it can be stressful, as well as confusing and overwhelming, to figure out what to do when an aging loved one needs geriatric care.
What are Geriatric Care Managers? Family and friends often are delegated as caregivers to aging loved ones without really knowing what is best for their long term geriatric care. Geriatric care managers can take over the responsibility of figuring out and managing those difficult tasks. Geriatric Care Management vs. Family Care Management No one solution is the magic one for all families. Each individual situation is different. In geriatric care management, geriatric care managers are assigned to be sure that loved ones are properly cared for at home, as well as in healthcare facilities. Family care management is when this responsibility is solely the responsibility of the loved one's family. What do Geriatric Care Managers do? Geriatric Care Managers perform various tasks to ensure that aged loved ones will get the care they require. This will be done according to the aging loved one's individual situation. Geriatric care managers will do this by visiting the home or long term care facility. They will meet with family members and staff to ensure that a loved one is receiving proper care. Things that might be checked upon are medicine frequency, proper hygiene, proper diet and any medical needs. How to Choose a Geriatric Care Manager When researching geriatric care managers, it is very important to look into multiple geriatric care managers. Your loved one's health and well being will be put into someone else's hand. Therefore, a wise choice is important. Ask as many questions about geriatric care as possible. Find out what types of services your loved one may need at any point in time. Make a list and be sure to cover questions on those items with each of the geriatric care managers you speak with. Also ask each to explain what they do on a daily basis for the typical client's geriatric care. Some may even allow you to observe some of their daily tasks as a geriatric care manager. The most important thing to remember in the process of choosing between geriatric care managers is the wants and needs of your loved one. by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image by a4gpa via Flickr.com Caregivers of adults with disabilities deserve a special voice to show the public all they do and Family Caregiver Alliance is helping to provide that. The first organization formed to address friend and family caregivers providing long-term care, FCA has been around since 1977. What started out as a small group of caregivers and community leaders over 30 years ago has grown significantly.
FCA has helped countless families in a number of different ways over the years, providing various resources and assistance to those offering disability care. Most recently, the FCA has developed the Family Care Navigator, which is a state by state resource for caregivers of those with disabilities. At the Family Care Alliance website, the Family Care Navigator is easily accessible. A caregiver searching for information on government, nonprofit or private programs need only click on the state of residence right on the home page. If it is services that are needed, that information is also available on the Family Care Navigator. General information and resources are also available. A list of some of the most common questions is prominently displayed for easy access. For further research and information, check the free fact sheets and publications Family Care Alliance displays on the website. Printable versions are available. Because providing long-term care in a family caregiver situation can sometimes be difficult, frustrating or otherwise straining, there is also access to support groups and organizations for long-term family caregivers from the FCA website. Family Caregiver Alliance has received various awards and grants. The organization's website is extensive and has been called an invaluable resource for long-term caregivers of adults with disabilities. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network by Lyn Lomasi, Write W.A.V.E. Media Staff  Image by OakleyOriginals via Flickr.com Taking on the caregiving role for a family member who is aging with a disability is a loving decision and can be very rewarding. A caregiver of this person might spend the majority of his or her time caring for their loved one. Because of this, the primary caregiver may need some rest or some time to do something special for themselves. That is where respite care comes in.
What is Respite Care? Respite care is when someone other than the primary caregiver takes on the caregiving responsibilities. Respite care is designed for aging individuals who may or may not have a disability. Respite care could be for a short period of time to allow for a break. It could also be for a longer period of time if the primary caregiver has decided to take a vacation or take care of other matters for an extended period of time. Respite care can be given by a family member, a friend or a licensed professional. It can occur at the patient's residence or a respite care center. Respite care for someone aging with a disability can be scheduled or unscheduled. Who Does Respite Care Help and Why Should it Be Used? Respite care can help both the patient with the disability and the primary caregiver. Caregiving is sometimes time consuming. Caring for an aging person with a disability sometimes takes up a large time slot. The primary caregiver can receive a break or simply get time to run errands through respite care. The patient benefits because when the primary caregiver leaves, there is still someone there to care for him or her. If the reason for the respite care is to give the primary caregiver some rest, the patient could benefit from having a well rested caregiver when that person returns to their caregiving duties. How to Find Respite Care Your state's local bureau on aging can provide you with information on local respite care centers, as well as other information and resources, such as what respite care Medicaid and Medicare may cover. Churches and other religious organizations may also be able to help locate respite care for someone aging with a disability. Some may even provide it. Others that can help locate respite care for those aging with a disability are the local Alzheimer's Association, social services department, Easter Seals, or a mental health agency. Also, of course, there are family members and friends that you may be able to enlist help from. If you cannot afford to pay for respite care, there may be a friend or family member who will do it for no cost, simply because they care. *I originally published a version of this via Yahoo Contributor Network Getting Paid to Care for Your Loved Oneby Lyn Lomasi, Staff Writer  If you have a friend or family member in need of a caregiver, you are likely considering many options. You may be wondering if you can provide that care yourself. If so, you may also wonder if you can get paid to be a family caregiver. Is it possible to make a liveable wage caring for your own family member?
Can I Get Paid to be a Family Caregiver? If you have a friend or loved one who is ill, you could have hopes of caring for them yourself instead of hiring someone. Can you get paid to do so? The short answer to this is yes, it is possible to become a caregiver for your own family member and get paid for doing so. However, depending on your area, the methods to do so may vary. Can I Make a Liveable Wage as a Family Caregiver? Making a liveable wage caring for your own family member is possible, but not likely for most. It will depend on how much you need for living expenses, as well as the method in which you go about establishing the caregiving. It will also depend on where you live, as some states allow for this and some do not. Also, if you are the person paying for your loved ones other expenses (such as a mortgage, prescriptions, and household supplies), will the money you make from caring for them cover that? In many cases, it will not. Even those in the nurse aid field sometimes do not make a liveable wage themselves. Most people who take on this responsibility for family members are doing so more out of love than for the possible income. However, many would appreciate it if they could get paid for their efforts. How Can I Become a Family Caregiver? One way to become a family caregiver is by contacting Medicaid. This differs from Medicare, which will not usually pay a family member who acts as caregiver. They will be looking to pay someone who is a professional in the field of caregiving. Other great sources to contact for information include local senior services, social services, and the county health department. Benefits of a Family Member as Caregiver Having a family member as a caregiver can be more comforting to a loved one. They may already be used to this person helping them. Therefore, when the situation gets to a point when they need more active care, it could reduce their discomfort surrounding it. It's hard for some people when they learn they will need someone to take care of their needs for them. It may be an easier transition when a family member is the one providing the care. Also, a family member will have the benefit of knowing personal needs and wants. They will also likely have more love for the patient than someone who is not a family member. *I originally published this via Yahoo Contributor Network |
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Lyn Lomasi is founder and owner of the Brand Shamans Content Community. Services include ordained soul therapy and healing ministry, business success coaching, business success services, handcrafted healing jewelry, ethereal and anointing oils, altar and spiritual supplies and services, handcrafted healing beauty products, and more!
Lyn is your brand healing, soul healing, marketing & content superhero to the rescue! While rescuing civilians from boring business practices and energy vampires, this awesomely crazy family conquers evil and creates change. They live among tigers, dragons, mermaids, unicorns, and other fantastic energies, teaching others to claim their own power and do the same. By supporting us, you support a dedicated parent, healer, and minority small business that donates to several causes. Profits from our all-inclusive store, Intent-sive Nature support these causes and our beautiful family! HIRE OR SHOP WITH LYN | CONTACT LYN Archives
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