Geriatric care managers: a collaborative resource to the physician practice.
Strongly independent and/or socially isolated elders with multiple health problems are often a physician's most challenging patient. These patients typically require intensive follow-up including phone calls from concerned long distance relatives, frequent and urgent same day physician visits and recurrent hospitalizations. This article will describe the role of a professional geriatric care manager (GCM). This article will discuss how a GCM can greatly assist both frail elders and physicians through comprehensive and ongoing assessment of an elder's needs, implementation of an optimal plan of care and close monitoring and management of information and supportive services.
Ferry
James L
JL
Advantage Care Consultants, P.O. Box 307, Deerfield, MA 01342, USA. jferry26@attbi.com
O'Toole
Robert
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019090:Case Management / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003142:Communication; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D005260:Female; D016330:Frail Elderly; D005853:Geriatrics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007587:Job Description; D009726:Nurses; D011216:Practice Management, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012934:Social Isolation; D012947:Social Work; D014481:United States