Contact Info
570-285-8001 info{at}davidhage.com
Counseling & Learning Associates
Daniel J Flood Tower
230 Wyoming Ave Kingston, PA 18704
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Certified Geriatric Care Management for Individuals & Families
The face of the world is rapidly changing. Soon the United Sates “will have more older people than children and more people at extreme old age than ever before. “1 According to the CDC’s most recent report, The state of Aging in America 2013, “longer life spans and aging baby boomers—will combine to double the population of Americans aged 65 years or older during the next 25 years to about 72 million.”2 Greater than 25% of All Americans, and 2/3 of older Americans are facing chronic health conditions.2 Facing these challenges can seem daunting or even impossible at times. Having a trusted helping professional on your team, like an Advanced Aging Life Care™ Professional who can guide you through many of these transitions and challenges can relive a great deal of stress for older adults and their families.
Having worked in skilled nursing facility (SNF), Personal Care (PCH), and an acute care hospital inpatinet rehab facility (IRF) environments, David Hage is well versed in a variety of elder care environments. He is familiar with in home health care, out patient therapy, private duty aide services, and a wide range of educational and material community support services (including durable medical goods, medical alert, PDA Waiver, Aide & Attendance, certified elder law attorneys, etc.), which can help your or your loved one maximize their independence and quality of life.
Available Geriatric Care Management Services
- Advocacy
- Individualized Assessment
- Care Management
- Consultation
- Counseling
- Crisis Intervention
- Education
- Entitlement Evaluations
- Guidance for Adults with Disabilities
- Home Care Information/Referral
References:
1. National Institute on Aging
http://www.nia.nih.gov/sites/default/les/global_health_and_aging.pdf
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/aging/pdf/state-aging-health-in-america-2013.pdf
Managing care for an elderly parent is a task for which one is never prepared. Even after spending over 45 years as a health care professional, I found that I had limited knowledge of the available resources and management options for my elderly parents once they required assistance with their daily care. David Hage, was able to provide a road map of the resources available through each step of the decline of my parents’ health and their increased need for assistance. He is a knowledgeable professional who was able to provide support and guidance about the complex issues of geriatric care.
FAQ
WHAT IS AGING LIFE CARE™ (GERIATRIC CARE MANAGEMENT)?
Aging Life Care / geriatric care management is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. Working with families, the expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals™ provides the answers at a time of uncertainty. Their guidance leads families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love, thus reducing worry, stress and time off of work for family caregivers through:
- Assessment and monitoring
- Planning and problem-solving
- Education and advocacy
- Family caregiver coaching
- Long-distance caregiving
Aging Life Care Professionals are engaged to assist in a variety of areas, such as:
- Housing – helping families evaluate and select appropriate level of housing or residential options
- Home care services – determining types of services that are right for a client and assisting the family to engage and monitor those services
- Medical management – attending doctor appointments, facilitating communication between doctor, client, and family, and if appropriate, monitoring client’s adherence to medical orders and instructions
- Communication – keeping family members and professionals informed as to the well-being and changing needs of the client
- Social activities – providing opportunity for client to engage in social, recreational, or cultural activities that enrich the quality of life
- Legal – referring to or consulting with an elder law attorney; providing expert opinion for courts in determining level of care
- Financial – may include reviewing or overseeing bill paying or consulting with accountant or client’s Power of Attorney
- Entitlements – providing information on Federal and state entitlements; connecting families to local programs
- Safety and security – monitoring the client at home; recommending technologies to add to security or safety; observing changes and potential risks of exploitation or abuse
- Long-distance care – coordinating the care of a loved one for families that live at a distance; including crisis managementLocal, cost-effective resources are identified and engaged as needed.A care plan tailored for each individual’s circumstances is prepared after a comprehensive assessment. The plan may be modified, in consultation with client and family, as circumstances change.
WHAT IS AN AGING LIFE CARE PROFESSIONAL (GERIATRIC CARE MANAGER)?
An Aging Life Care Professional, also known as a geriatric care manager, is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults. The Aging Life Care Professional is educated and experienced in any of several fields related to aging life care / care management, including, but not limited to gerontology, nursing, social work, psychology, or occupational therapy, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.The Aging Life Care Professional assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential. The individual’s independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals are able to address a broad range of issues related to the well-being of their client. They also have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their communities.
Aging Life Care Professionals become the “coach” and families or clients the “team captain.”
Aging Life Care Professionals are members of the Aging Life Care AssociationTM (ALCA) and differ from Patient Advocates, Senior Advisors, Senior Navigators, and Elder Advocates. ALCA members must meet stringent education, experience, and certification requirements of the organization, and all members are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice.
WHAT OTHER SERVICES DO AGING LIFE CARE PROFESSIONALS (GERIATRIC CARE MANAGERS) PROVIDE?
While the majority of Aging Life Care clients are older adults, many also assist younger adults who face the challenges of disability or serious illness. Aging Life Care Professionals may help people who have: Physical Disabilities Developmental Disabilities, (e.g. Intellectual Disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, Autism, or Asperger’s Syndrome) Brain Injury Mental Health Problems Chronic or Serious Illnesses of any type Aging Life Care Professionals can often help parents who are concerned about a young adult or middle- aged adult child with disabilities. These life care professionals have experience and credentials to work with all ages. The life care professional conducts a comprehensive assessment and helps the family plan for the current and future needs of their adult child.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING AN AGING LIFE CARE PROFESSIONAL (GERIATRIC CARE MANAGER) ?
Aging Life Care services are offered in a variety of settings. Professionals can serve the needs of their clients by providing:
- Personalized and compassionate service — focusing on the individual’s wants and needs.
- Accessibility — care and support available on a flexible basis to fit your individual scheduling needs.
- Continuity of care – communications are coordinated between family members, doctors and other professionals, and service providers.
- Cost containment — inappropriate placements, duplication of services, and unnecessary hospitalizations are avoided.
- Quality control – aging life care services follow ALCA’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.