Frequently Asked Questions
Who would benefit from a geriatric assessment or a geriatric care manager?
Often specific health problems are not as important as the problems people encounter when they experience a decline in the ability to manage their daily activities. However, some specific health/social problems that would warrant a geriatric assessment or the involvement of a geriatric care manager may include: depression, inability to manage simple tasks, memory loss, confusion, frequent falls, weight loss, safety concerns, change in behavior, wandering, medication management, self care concerns, isolation.
How will I know the results of the geriatric assessment?
After the complete assessment is conducted, the care manager will meet with you and your family to review our findings. Recommendations will be outlined for you on a care plan designed specifically for you to meet your needs.
Will you share information with my Doctor?
Your primary care physician will receive a full report from the geriatrician following the assessment.
Why is part of the assessment done in the home?
Observing the client in their own home and seeing how they function in their day to day activities gives us important information that can not be obtained in the doctor’s office. We want to be able to make recommendation that will fit into the client’s lifestyle and habits. By seeing them at home, we are better able to make the appropriate recommendations to allow them to live as independently as possible in their own home.
Is a geriatric assessment covered by Medicare or other insurances?
The clinical portion of the assessment, where the client is seen by the geriatrician, is covered by Medicare and other insurances. The home visit and the care plan development are not covered by any insurance’s.
Who could benefit by using a geriatric care manager?
Individuals who need care or are planning for their own car
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- Families
- Accountants
- Financial Planners
- Banks & Trust Officers
- Conservators/Guardians
- Physicians
- Attorneys
- Social Service Providers
- Senior Housing Communities
- Hospital Discharge Planners
Are Geriatric Care Managers licensed?
There are no licensing requirements for geriatric care managers however; The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers has endorsed certification requirements that all members maintain a certification in care management.
How are Geriatric Care manager’s paid?
The only insurance that may cover geriatric care manager’s is long term care insurance policies. Each long term care insurance policy must be looked at individually to check for coverage. Otherwise, geriatric care managers bill privately for services most often on an hourly basis.
How would I know if I or a family member may need a Geriatric Care Manager?
You may need one if;
- A person has limited or no family support
- Family has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction about available services.
- A person has multiple medical issues.
- A person is unable to live safely in their current environment.
- Family is either burned out or confused about care options
- Family has limited time or experience in dealing with chronic care needs.
- Individual may require an advocate.
- Family needs education and/or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with dementia.
Why would a family voluntarily choose mediation?
The way in which families and siblings negotiate the challenges of care giving and all the surrounding issues of aging parents may determine their future relationships in the dynamics as a family. Mediation can gently lead a family to come to a mutual agreement.
What kinds of issues can be mediated?
- Health/medical care decisions.
- Financial decisions
- Living arrangements
- Communication Issues
- Family relationship issues
- Decision making authority
- Autonomy
Would my elderly Mother attend the mediation?
A goal of elder mediation is to support self determination. As long as your Mother is able to understand the process and the issues under consideration and can give voluntary consent to an agreement, they are encouraged to participate.
How successful is mediation?
Mediation has a very high success rate because the solution is designed by the parties themselves.
Who pays for the mediation?
Mediation fees are covered by the parties involved privately.
Dr. Losos began his medical profession in 1993. He is board certified in Internal and Geriatric Medicine. A graduate of Medical University in Lublin
, Poland, Dr. Losos completed his residency at Wood Hall Medical Center in New York City, an affiliate of New York University, and his fellowship at Our Lady of Mercy Medical Center in Bronx, New York. Dr. Losos is licensed to practice medicine in both Connecticut and Rhode Island.
Rose is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and the Masters Program in Education at Eastern Connecticut State University. S
he also holds a Certificate in the Fundamentals of Geriatrics from the University of Connecticut Health Center. Rose has more than 20 years experience in elder care, both in residential dementia care and as Eastern Regional Director of the Alzheimer’s Association.
Lisa has more than 15 years experience in the long term care continuum. She is a certified case manager and a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. She is also a licensed Nursing Home Administrator in both Connecticut and Massachusetts. Lisa has worked in private practice as a Geriatric Care Manager for several years prior to developing ElderEval and very active in state and local agencies dealing with seniors and the issues of aging.