Questions and answers
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Geriatric Care Managers reduce family burdens, facilitate communication and assist with finding cost-effective services. A care manager gives personalized compassionate advice, advocating for the individual’s wants and needs. They are experts in dealing with the continually changing challenges of aging. They assist with your care plan, medical oversight, family communication, and education.
As a general rule, a geriatric care manager begins by doing an assessment. This involves meeting with the client over the course of a visit or two to the home. They discuss the client’s priorities and values, any concerns they might have, and what activities and interests are most important to them. Over the course of the visit, the geriatric care manager will observe physical and mental capabilities. The assessment is as much about identifying strengths as it is about addressing problems, since building on existing strengths is key to promoting independence and quality of life. Other assessments may include a review of the home for safety hazards and a review of insurance and financial resources. This will help the client and family maximize the use of any social service programs that may be available. Following the visit, an individualized care plan will be recommended. The client and family then have the option to proceed with this plan independently or retain the services of the geriatric care manager to assist with the plan’s implementation.
Some elders resist geriatric care for fear of losing control over their lives. They cherish the independence they have enjoyed and see the idea of geriatric care services as an intrusion rather than a help. Our Professional Geriatric Care Managers can meet with you and your elder family member to discuss how care services can make things easier, safer, and less stressful for the elder, rather than being viewed as a loss of their personal freedom.
Families are often concerned about loved ones who reside in assisted living or skilled nursing settings and want to add to their quality of life. They will enlist our services in finding a “friendly visitor/companion” who can add meaning and pleasure as well as advocacy to the client’s life. This is frequently requested by busy professionals, families that live at a distance, or families traveling who need oversight when they are away, as well as those who just want a mom or dad to have a higher quality of life.
A care manager helps you understand your loved one’s needs, compare options, and put a practical care plan in place. Reflections coordinates resources and supports decisions that respect the person’s preferences, safety, and independence.
They serve different needs. Care management focuses on assessment, planning, advocacy, and coordination. Reflections’ care management service can help you find caregiving resources; it does not itself replace a hands-on caregiver.
Yes. Reflections can provide a local point of contact for families managing care from a distance. We help coordinate support around your loved one and discuss the communication and involvement that suit your family.
Visits depend on the person’s needs and the agreed care plan. We discuss an appropriate schedule with you and adjust it as circumstances change. There is no single visit schedule for every family.
Care management can help identify resources and plan support around the person’s preferred living setting. Remaining at home depends on individual needs and available help; the care plan should consider safety as well as independence.
Care coordination is part of our service. We help families connect appropriate resources and organize support around the individual’s needs. The specific providers and arrangements depend on the person’s care plan.
Yes. Reflections offers a separate assessment service with a written report and recommendations. It can help your family understand current needs and decide which support makes sense next.
Our assessments consider physical, mental, and psychosocial needs. The written report helps identify concerns, explain available resources, and recommend support for living as safely and independently as possible.
Yes. An assessment is a one-time service, but it can be repeated when a person’s health or circumstances change. We can discuss whether an updated assessment would help your family make the next decision.
Yes. Reflections provides a written report with findings and personalized recommendations. We can also discuss the report with the client and family so you understand the options available.
A Patient Review Instrument (PRI) and SCREEN are assessments used in New York’s skilled nursing admission process. They help evaluate the person’s condition and care needs so facilities can review an application.
Reflections uses nurses who are trained and licensed to perform these assessments. Contact us to discuss the assessment needed for your loved one’s application.
Yes. Reflections can complete an assessment in the person’s home. We discuss the situation with you and arrange the appropriate next step.
These assessments are generally associated with skilled nursing admission rather than independent or assisted living. Check the admission requirements with the specific facility before arranging an assessment.
The completed assessments support the skilled nursing application. Reflections can help explain the results and next steps. Each facility reviews applications and decides whether it can meet the person’s needs.
Reflections helps assess care needs, evaluate living options, and coordinate the transition. We do not provide the moving crew. We can help arrange suitable moving resources as part of the relocation plan.
Yes. Relocation Management can include help with downsizing and organizing the transition to a new residence. We discuss what needs to happen before and after the move so the plan reflects the person’s needs.
A licensed RN works with the client’s physician and pharmacist on prescribed medications. Support may include an in-home assessment, a tailored plan, reminders, medication devices, and refill coordination.
Some long-term care insurance policies will cover the costs of care management. We can help you determine if there are other options, such as Veterans Aid and Attendance, to help defray the out-of-pocket expense.
Absolutely, along with time and headaches. With effective planning, monitoring, and prevention, we can help you avoid expensive and painful crises such, as a fall or hospitalization. We have a knowledge of community resources and eligibility requirements that allow you and your loved one to avail yourselves of existing free or low-cost services that may mean the difference between staying at home or having to move to an expensive facility. We also have a thorough understanding of Medicare, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance. This ensures that the proper billing occurs and that all covered medical, hospital, and facility expenses are paid to the fullest extent allowable. Our extensive experience working with seniors and their families helps you avoid common and emotionally/financially costly mistakes.
GUIDE stands for Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience. It is a Medicare model that supports people with dementia and their caregivers through care coordination, caregiver education, and access to support. Eligible families may also receive respite services.
A participating provider must confirm dementia and Medicare eligibility. Current rules require Medicare Parts A and B as the primary payer and an eligible residence. Hospice enrollment, a long-term nursing home or memory care unit residence, and enrollment with another GUIDE participant affect eligibility.
Current CMS rules exclude Medicare Advantage and PACE beneficiaries. Ask the participating provider to check the person’s coverage and explain available alternatives.
No. CMS explains that GUIDE adds dementia care support alongside existing healthcare providers. A participating provider can explain how coordination would work for your family.
No. Participating providers cannot charge patients for covered GUIDE services. This does not make all private care management or home care free; confirm which services are included.
Eligible caregivers may receive approved respite support, subject to program rules and an annual limit. The participating provider confirms eligibility, available services, and the applicable benefit.
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