Aging Solutions and ALCA are excited to release new findings from research conducted by the Florida Chapter of the Aging Life Care Association. Florida researchers first studied how care recipients valued the services provided by Aging Life Care Professionals. The results from the second phase considered the value of services as viewed by the “responsible party” authorized to pay for Aging Life Care™ services on behalf of an individual.
Findings
97%
Of Responsible Party respondents felt that engaging an Aging Life Care Manager had a positive overall effect on the client.
99%
Said that engaging Aging Life Care Manager Services had a positive effect on their own lives.
Responsible Parties cited keeping them informed about the client’s status as the most common Care Manager function, followed by emergency management and medical management. All these services work together to set the Responsible Parties’ minds at ease.
The value of Aging Life Care Professional services is evident. With the increasing aging population and the emphasis on continuity of care, Aging Life Care Professionals are poised to play a larger role in coming years.
Why and How the Aging Life Care Professional was Chosen
Most respondents reported they engaged the professional because:
- Family did not live near the client so that they needed a local contact for care
- Concerned about changes in the client’s status
- Client was experiencing a crisis at the time the professional services were sought
- Seeking a professional assessment to explore options for the client’s care.
“Other” situations that led to engaging care:
- Caregiver had a crisis
- Needed guidance navigating options for dementia/Alzheimer’s care
- Family dissension
The responsible parties’ perceptions can be valuable in the field of elder care, by showing which professional services are most important to informal caregivers – in this case, often family members who live at a distance from the older adult. Since Aging Life Care Professionals may be experienced in one or more of several fields – including social work, nursing, gerontology or psychology – they can assist with a broad range of services (ALCA, 2016). The ways responsible parties use and value the Aging Life Care Professionals’ services can have a significant impact on the older clients and their families, as well as on service providers.
An unexpected finding was the extent to which Aging Life Care Professionals work outside the client’s home — in an assisted living facility or nursing homes.
According to our survey responses, many families depend on Aging Life Care Pro-fessionals even after the client has left home for a facility. In fact, almost half the re-spondents (47%) said the clients with whom they are associated do not live at home.
Services Most Valuable to Responsible Parties |
|---|
Providing me peace of mind |
Assessing client’s needs |
Preventing/managing crises |
Advocating for medical needs with providers |
Preserving client’s independence |
Navigating/recommending community resources |
Managing residential transition |
Mediating/resolving conflicts |
Providing memory care/support |
Services Most Valuable to the Clients |
|---|
Monitoring/advocating for medical needs |
Providing peace of mind by being on call |
Coordinating/monitoring service providers |
Providing counseling and emotional support |
Enhancing social and quality-of-life activities |
Making/recommending home safety changes |
Providing memory care/support |
Coordinating government assistance, insurance or other benefits |
Conclusion
Although this survey was conducted in Florida, many of our clients have shared with us the same feelings as those reported. A Geriatric Care Manager is there to help you and your family address the needs of your aging loved one. We are not only there to help care for them, but also for you. There are benefits and value to everyone involved. If you are a primary caregiver to an aging or disabled loved one, I invite you to speak with one of our Geriatric Care Managers to see how we can help.