Care Management: When is The Right Time to Hire a Care Manager?

Many clients seek care management during a “crisis,” such as when a parent or loved one faces an urgent medical issue or hospitalization. During such emergencies, care management can play an essential role in providing calm, stability, and intervention. However, engaging a care manager before a crisis can offer benefits and improve outcomes. Often, hiring a care manager to develop a plan can help prevent or reduce future crises. 

Below are examples of when care management can provide extra support to you or your loved one outside of an emergency. We start with a relevant example that resonates with those who want to ensure a clear voice in their future care (most of us).

The desire to ensure your care preferences are known

Proactive planning helps ensure your wishes are respected in the future—before you need support. Through thoughtful conversations about your wishes, Care Managers develop a detailed, personalized care plan that can be easily implemented when needed. The planning process may include verifying that your legal documents are up to date, ensuring those involved in your healthcare decisions understand your wishes, and considering measures you might want to take now to prepare for the future, such as home safety modifications.

A new diagnosis 

A new diagnosis of dementia or a complex medical condition. can be challenging. Involving experts who understand the healthcare system, provide education, coordinate care, and advocate for the best resources helps reduce stress, enhance well-being and quality of life, and prevent caregiver burnout.

Addressing challenging dementia behaviors

As families navigate a loved one’s dementia, one of the most difficult aspects is often called “behaviors.” These behaviors are frequently seen as increased agitation, sundowning, or resistance to care. Sage’s approach to “behaviors” is based on a core principle: behavior is a form of communication. What we often label as “behaviors” are actually signs of unmet needs. (Read more about unmet needs here: Behavior is Communication: Understanding Needs in Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care.)

Care Managers help identify potential triggers for these behaviors. They instruct both formal and informal caregivers on how to adjust their approach to lessen these issues. Care managers also work with the medical team to find and address any underlying causes of these concerns.

Managing family dynamics

Complex family dynamics can affect a loved one’s care. Care managers serve as neutral professionals who help guide decisions that prioritize the client’s best interests, reduce family conflicts through collaboration, and serve as the primary point of contact. 

Hiring professional home care services when needed

Setting up care support at home when the time is right is instrumental in ensuring you or your loved one can safely age in place. Care Managers help identify the best home care setup for your needs, including determining the optimal level of care and a schedule that best meets your needs. Plus, your Care Manager will provide ongoing guidance when changes are needed. 

Furthermore, Care Managers can help vet the best care provider, develop a care plan to ensure better outcomes from the start, and provide ongoing training and supervision to the care team. As your advocate and liaison, Care Managers can manage communication with the home care agency, ensuring everyone is on the same page about care goals and needs while also sparing you or your loved one from managing the minute-by-minute, day-to-day details or issues that may arise. 

Many families wrestle with what is the best care for their loved one, especially when a parent who wants to age at home is hesitant to hire professional care.  A Care Manager can help navigate the family dynamics and recommend care options in these situations. In some cases, Sage Eldercare Solutions’ new program, At Home with Sage, may be considered. This exclusive program offers a phased introduction to home care that builds acceptance and rapport through consistent caregiver relationships and progressive coverage. Find out more here.

Considering a move to a senior living community?

Care Managers can help you understand the different types of communities and choose the best options for you or a loved one. They can also make the transition easier by coordinating logistics and developing a transition plan that positions both the client and the community for success from the start. As aging life care professionals, care managers act as a second set of eyes, offering support and advocacy to ensure the facility provides the right care and support for your loved one.

Are you ‘Solo Aging,’ or is your family living far away?

Care Managers can be vital supports for those aging alone or lacking nearby family assistance. For solo agers, Care Managers can be trusted allies, offering peace of mind by providing a dependable, caring professional to address their evolving needs. For families who aren’t close by, Care Managers can serve as the “boots on the ground,” ensuring your family member has local support to handle issues proactively, keeping you informed of changes, and reassuring you that their needs are being met with compassion and care. 

Are you a Sandwich Generation caregiver?

Yes, that might mean you’re trying to ‘handle’ it all — raise a family, excel in your career, and ensure you’re helping your parents with their increasing needs as they age. Care Managers can ease the stress by taking the lead or partnering with you to coordinate appointments, identify the right specialists, and manage communications between providers. Care Managers can help you regain time to be with family again by handling all the details involved in managing their health changes and care needs.

Want to learn more about the role of Aging Life Care Professionals? Read our blog “What do Aging Life Care Professionals Do? 8 Things to Know” here.

Sage Eldercare Solutions is here to help