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There are 22.4 million family caregivers in the U.S. today--that means one in every four households. Surveys show that about a third of them care for their loved ones long-distance. So, an increasing number of families are turning to a specialized group of licensed professionals, known as "care managers," to help them in their efforts to care for frail elders.
Typically, geriatric care managers are social workers or nurses who have training and experience in assessing what services are needed, arranging services (such as home aides, residential housing), developing and monitoring a care plan, financial planning, and finding a nursing home.
Geriatric care managers are familiar with the maze of aging services in the community and eligibility requirements that need to be met, and are trained to address family relationships and special concerns. They can relieve caregiver stress by helping locate the most suitable services for the family member.
Fees generally range from $200 to $350 for the initial assessment, then hourly rates go from $30 to $150, depending on the geographic location and the range of services that are provided.
To locate a care manager, call your local Area Agency on Aging, hospital discharge planner, or a care management agency.
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