elderly mother and daughter walking in a park

Getting Started

When Should I Use a Life Care Manager?

When You Are Planning for the Future

Life Care Managers are an invaluable resource if you are trying to decide what the best options are for an elderly relative, a person with disabilities, or for yourself. The need to talk with a Life Care Manager often arises when there is a change in circumstances such as a change in location, a change in medical or cognitive status, or the loss of a spouse.

When There Is a Crisis

The best time to call upon a Life Care Manager is before a crisis occurs. This gives the Life Care Manager time to do a thorough assessment and create a plan of care that can be implemented without the stress of an emergency.

However, if you do find yourself in a crisis situation, it’s not too late to contact a Life Care Manager. If your elderly relative has been hospitalized, had a dramatic change in health status, or is refusing care, the Life Care Manager will act quickly to evaluate the immediate problem and come up with effective and timely solutions.

When You Live Far Away

Families who live at a distance can experience great uncertainty about the future and often have a hard time engaging the elder’s local services. For the family that lives far from the elder, the services of a Life Care Manager are indispensable. You will be more prepared and less anxious knowing that you have a Life Care Manager who can act as your “eyes and ears” and provide professional, objective feedback regarding the elder’s needs.

When Family Members Disagree

An elder care crisis can trigger old conflicts and disagreements among siblings and other family members. A Life Care Manager brings a professional understanding of family dynamics and will help to negotiate and resolve family conflicts or disagreements that might interfere with the needs and interests of the elder.

What factors should I consider when choosing a Life Care Manager?

Ethics

At LifeCare Advocates, all of our Life Care Managers are members of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) and are committed to its strict code of ethics and professional standards.

Skill level

All of our Life Care Managers have advanced degrees in a health-related field such as social work or nursing. Our clinical expertise and direct knowledge of local resources make us leaders in the field.

Solo Practitioner vs. Group Practice

Some Life Care Managers practice alone, while others are part of a larger group practice or organization. At LifeCare Advocates, we utilize a team approach, and families benefit from our collective knowledge of local resources and benefits. In addition, we provide backup coverage for each other in the event of a crisis or emergency.

In-House Home Care Services vs. Referrals for Home Care Services

Some Life Care Managers offer home care services as part of their practice. At LifeCare Advocates, we have chosen not to offer home care services directly, relying instead on our long-standing relationships with independent, high-quality providers to match your loved one with the most appropriate service. We do not have any vested financial interest in any of the services we recommend. Our goal is always to recommend only those services that are truly in the best interests of our clients.

Matching Clients with the Best Life Care Manager

In addition to a Life Care Manager’s skill level, a good “chemistry” between families, the elder, and the Life Care Manager is very important. You should feel that the Life Care Manager is responsive, compassionate, and understands the concerns you are expressing. At LifeCare Advocates, we pay special attention to matching our clients and families with the right care manager who will best serve their needs.

How Do I Get Started?

We are only a phone call or email away, and the first call is free of charge! To get started, call our office at 617 928-0200, or email us at info@lcadvocates.com, and someone from our Clinical Team will respond within 24 hours. During the initial contact, we will learn more about your concerns and give you an overview of our services and ways we might be able to help.

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