Services Provided

CONSULTATIONS/ASSESSMENTS
Take place in the elderly client's home, the office of GERICARE ASSOCIATES or over the telephone. A consultation involves discussion of issues, problems and concerns. However, an assessment is an extensive evaluation of the individual's physical, mental, emotional, financial, and psychosocial conditions. Following an assessment, a report is often given to the family with recommendations for services.

HOME VISITS
Home visits provide GERICARE ASSOCIATES the opportunity to observe the client's functioning and to note changes in the client's abilities - physical or mental. Good indicators of change are the physical condition of the home or the appearance of the client. Is there sufficient food in the refrigerator and cabinets, and has the garbage been properly disposed of?

SET UP HOME CARE
Depending on a client's needs, GERICARE ASSOCIATES will contact home care agencies and assist in setting up the type of care needed - home health aides, nursing care, companions, volunteers, shoppers, etc. GERICARE ASSOCIATES can interview and monitor the home care services, or the client's family can be involved in that capacity.

RESIDENTIAL PLACEMENTS
If a client needs residential placement, GERICARE ASSOCIATES - with input from the client, client's family, and other professionals - can first assist in choosing the appropriate level of care - Independent Living, Senior Housing, Assisted Living Facility (ALF), Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) or a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC or Life Care Community). Then GERICARE ASSOCIATES can either recommend specific facilities only or assist throughout the complete application and placement process.

ON-GOING CARE MANAGEMENT
On-going care management includes the initial set up of services and then on-going coordinating and monitoring of those services. This can be accomplished through phone calls to the client, family or community agencies or through visits to the client in their home or facility. On-going care management can include taking a client to medical appointments or attending meetings or conferences as an advocate for the client or client's family. This service is particularly helpful and reassuring for family members who live at a distance from their relative or who have other professional or personal obligations.

ASSISTANCE WITH BUDGETING, BILL PAYING, CHECK WRITING, RECORD KEEPING, MEDICAL INSURANCE , FILING
At times, an older person can take care of some of their personal needs but may have difficulty handling daily cash management. GERICARE ASSOCIATES can assist the older adult set up a monthly budget and then monitor the client's bill paying and check writing. This is an opportunity to observe whether the client has been a target of increasing instances of elder abuse or fraud by telephone or mail solicitations. GERICARE ASSOCIATES can also assist the client with filing of monthly records and receipts, processing medical insurance claims or keeping records of expenses for yearly tax return information or, if required, refer to outside service providers. (See below.)

REFERRALS WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS AND AGENCIES
GERICARE ASSOCIATES receives referrals from attorneys, probate courts, bank trust officers, financial advisors, accountants, community agencies such as city or town social services departments, home care agencies, employee assistance programs, physicians, psychologists and through the Internet. GERICARE ASSOCIATES refers to each of these professionals or agencies to best meet the client's needs. Appointments can be arranged and GERICARE ASSOCIATES can accompany the client to the appointment and interpret the meeting to the client and discuss its content with the family as required.

COUNSELING AND MEDIATION
GERICARE ASSOCIATES assists families and the older adult with difficult decision-making issues by being a liason or mediator. Conflicts among family members as to what is best for the aging parent or relative can be discussed with an objective professional.

CRISIS INTERVENTION
Support and advice can be provided if a crisis situation occurs. Often, on-going care management sets up support networks and services which monitor situations before they become crises.

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GERICARE ASSOCIATES, LLC
400 MAIN STREET, STAMFORD, CT 06901
PHONE: 203-912-7222
E-MAIL: bettebonne@optonline.net