Questions families ask about care management

No. We work with older adults, adults living with mental illness, and people with developmental or other disabilities. With every client we work to preserve dignity and self-determination by involving the client and family throughout the process.

We start with a family meeting or call to learn the medical history, social history and main concerns. Then we meet with your loved one, which usually feels like a friendly visit. Afterwards we explain the options, write a care plan and make specific recommendations.

An assessment typically takes 3 to 5 hours, depending on the situation.

Medicare and standard health insurance do not cover private care management. Many long term care insurance policies do cover our services.

Some families take our recommendations and put the plan in place themselves. Others, especially those who live far away or work long hours, keep us on for ongoing support: making sure services are working, going to appointments, staying with clients in the ER, fighting insurance denials and keeping the family updated.

A first psychiatric hospitalization can overwhelm a family. We explain the treatment goals and what to expect, advocate for the best possible care, work with hospital staff on a solid discharge plan, and stay involved afterwards to connect your loved one with community resources. Most importantly, we build a strong rapport with our clients based on respect and valuing them as human beings. We have an ongoing relationship with them, so they can turn to us as their advocate, a trusted person in their life and someone they can count on.

A geriatric care manager, also called an aging life care manager, is a licensed professional, often a social worker or nurse, who helps families plan and coordinate care for an older or disabled loved one. We assess needs, build a care plan, arrange trusted services, advocate with doctors and hospitals, and keep the family informed.

Many families call after a fall, a hospital stay or a new diagnosis like dementia. Others call when they notice a parent struggling at home, when siblings disagree about next steps, or when they live too far away to check in. You don't need to wait for a crisis. An early assessment often prevents one.

Yes. Long-distance caregiving is a big part of what we do. We act as your eyes and ears locally, go to appointments, check on care at home or in a facility, and give you clear, regular updates by phone or email so you always know what is going on.

It depends on their health, safety, finances and wishes. We look at all of it during our assessment, then explain the real options, from in-home care and home modifications that help someone age in place to assisted living, memory care or a nursing home. If a move makes sense, we recommend communities we know and trust.

We serve families throughout northern New Jersey, including Essex, Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Union, Hudson and northern Middlesex counties, as well as Rockland County, New York. We meet clients at home, in the hospital, in rehab or in their care community.

No. We come to you. We meet clients and families at home, in the hospital, in rehab or in their care community anywhere in northern New Jersey and Rockland County, NY.

Never. We do not accept commissions or payment for referrals. We only recommend home care agencies, communities and professionals we know and trust, so our advice is always about what is best for your loved one.

Yes. We help with applications for state and private benefits and with the paperwork, bills and forms that pile up. For legal or financial decisions we work alongside your elder law attorney or financial advisor. See our benefits and paperwork page.

Think of us as the daughter you can count on. We check in, go to appointments, notice changes, celebrate birthdays and holidays and show up when something goes wrong, looking after your loved one as if they were our own. Learn more.