Working With Professionals Who Refer to Us
We are licensed clinical social workers and aging life care managers serving northern New Jersey and Rockland County, New York. Attorneys, trust officers, financial advisors, physicians, discharge planners and senior living staff refer clients to us when someone needs more help than their role allows. We respond quickly, keep you informed and respect the work you are already doing.
Who refers to us?
- Elder law and guardianship attorneys who need an independent care professional to assess, oversee and report on a client's care.
- Trust officers and financial advisors whose clients' needs are changing and who want an objective view of what care is required.
- Physicians and medical practices with patients who are struggling at home, missing follow-up or without family support.
- Hospital and rehab discharge planners working with patients whose transitions are complicated.
- Assisted living and senior community staff when a resident's needs are changing or a family needs more guidance than staff can give.
What we do for your clients and patients
We start with a thorough in-person care assessment, usually 3 to 5 hours, wherever the person lives. From there we write a care plan with specific recommendations. Families can carry it out themselves or ask us to stay involved through ongoing care management.
Depending on the situation, that can include:
- Regular visits, monitoring and medication oversight.
- Accompanying the person to appointments and advocating with doctors, hospitals and facilities.
- Screening, arranging and overseeing in-home care.
- Recommending and helping with moves to assisted living, nursing homes or specialized communities.
- Discharge planning and follow-through after a hospital or rehab stay.
- Crisis intervention, including psychiatric hospitalizations.
- Help with paperwork, bills and benefit applications, and watching for signs of financial exploitation.
- Family meetings and mediation when relatives disagree.
- Regular updates for family members who live far away.
The cases we handle best
Our team is experienced with complicated situations: dementia with behavioral changes, serious mental illness and addiction, developmental and other disabilities, multiple chronic conditions, and families in conflict. We also provide guardianship care management, overseeing care and reporting to guardians, attorneys and trustees.
Who will be working with your client?
Connections Care Management was founded in 2015 by Lisa Kolton, LCSW, C-ASWCM. She leads the practice with co-owner Kimberly Hamilton, LCSW, LMSW, C-ASWCM. Each has more than 30 years of experience in social work, mental health and care management. Kim is frequently relied upon by guardianship attorneys throughout New Jersey to oversee the care of vulnerable individuals with complicated medical, psychiatric and personal needs. Lisa serves on the Board of Directors of Connections at Home, a nonprofit for low-income and homebound seniors.
Your client or patient will work with an experienced care manager on our team, with Lisa and Kim leading the practice. Our care managers include licensed clinical social workers and specialists in dementia, behavioral health, aging services and discharge planning. Our Lead Care Manager previously directed social services at a subacute rehabilitation facility. Read more about our team.
How to make a referral
There is no form to fill out and no formal process. Just reach out:
- Call Lisa Kolton at 973.747.5571
- Call Kim Hamilton at 845.480.1561
- Or send us a message
Tell us what you can about the person and what concerns you, and what role you would like us to play. You can also simply give the family our number and let them call when they are ready. The first conversation with the family is free. We will tell them honestly whether care management makes sense, and if it does not, we will try to point them to something that does.
What you can expect from us
- A prompt response. We know referrals often come at a hard moment, and we get back to you and to the family quickly.
- Clear updates. With the client's or family's permission, we keep you informed in the way that works for you, whether that is a short call, an email or a written report.
- No conflicts of interest. We never accept commissions or payment for referrals from any provider, facility or agency. Our recommendations are based only on what is right for the person.
- Collaboration. We work alongside the people already involved, including doctors, therapists, facility staff and fiduciaries, and share information that helps you do your job well.
- Respect for your role. We do not give legal, financial or medical advice. An attorney's client stays the attorney's client. A physician's treatment plan stays the physician's. We fill the gap between your work and the person's daily life.
A note on payment
Medicare and standard health insurance do not cover private care management. Many long term care insurance policies do, and in trust and guardianship cases services are often paid from the person's own funds as the fiduciary directs. Our guide on how to pay for care management is a helpful resource to share with families.
Where we work
We do not have an office. We go to the client, at home, in the hospital, in rehab or in a care community, throughout Essex, Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Union, Hudson and northern Middlesex counties in New Jersey, and Rockland County, New York.
Questions from referral partners
Do you pay or accept referral fees?+
No. We never accept commissions or payment for referrals from providers, facilities or agencies. That independence is what lets us give families and referring professionals an honest recommendation.
Will you keep me updated on a client I referred?+
Yes, with the client's or family's permission. We agree at the start on who gets updates and how often, whether that is a phone call after key visits or written reports for an attorney or trustee.
How quickly can you see a new client?+
We respond to referrals promptly and understand that many come at urgent moments, like a pending hospital discharge. Call Lisa or Kim directly to talk about timing for a specific situation.
Can you work with a client who does not have family involved?+
Yes. Many of the people we serve have no family nearby or are estranged. In those cases we often work with the attorney, guardian, trustee or physician as the main point of contact.
Have a client or patient who needs help?
Call Lisa or Kim to talk through the situation. We respond quickly and keep you updated with the family's permission.