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Here at Gilbert Guide, we are constantly urging family caregivers to seek respite so that when they are on-duty, they can give out the best adult care to their loved one. One of the toughest jobs we can think of is taking care of an aging loved one, which is the reason why each of our Guides has sections on Caregiver Support, Counseling and Support Groups and Crisis Lines. But as one of our readers recently pointed out, what resources are available for the professional caregiver, especially those who provide live-in care and assume a huge amount of responsibility?

The reader also asked if there was forum in which to discuss wages and other issues in regard to providing professional home health care. Her comments have brought up a point recently discussed in the Medical News Today that there were reports that wages for caregivers are some of lowest in the country. And this fact is coupled with the aging population of baby boomers could spell trouble for the industry if it is unable to keep up the supply with the demand.In my honest opinion, we were unsure as to how to really help her out, so we would like you to weigh-in, please let us know which organizations, including anything from advocacy with home care to support groups, you have found useful.

Do you have any luck with contacting the National Organization for Homecare and Hospice to find out what they recommend?
With critical care insurance, you are paid a lump sum after you have been diagnosed with a critical illness. The whole idea is that auxiliary expenses that tend to grow up when a diagnosis occurs, even if a person is insured. With the help of a critical care insurance plan, the beneficiary can decide where his/her benefits will do the most good;whether it goes toward skilled nursing care in the home, or lost wages for family caregivers, or other expenses of daily living that are difficult to meet when one is financially disabled.

Which point of direction were you pointed in, and most importantly, do you feel that what you have to say are being heard? P.S. Thanks to Nurse Heather for bringing up this important long term care issue.

A Geriatric Care Manager is a professional worker who you can approach when it comes to expertise and knowledge in senior care health issues. They can also be referred to as case managers, elder care managers or service coordinators. Ideally, they have advanced degrees in fields like psychology, nursing, gerontology, and other related human and health services.
A geriatric care manager can recommend a care plan that best serves the needs of your senior family member. They can also help you arrange for services, and also monitor your senior family’s health care needs. One advantage that they offer is that they can also show you alternatives for your loved one’s care plan based on their knowledge and experience.
A geriatric health manager’s services can also be put to excellent use if you are new to elder care programs or if you need help with things such as a health crisis. If you are also dealing with complex legal or social issues, for instance, regarding these programs, you can also solicit for their help.
You may also seek their assistance if you need connections to a wide selection of service providers. This includes attorneys and social workers. Your geriatric health care manager can serve as your intermediary and advocate and can also give you helpful advice. You can also obtain information regarding homecare or health care facilities from them. In order to find a geriatric care manager, scour the broad spectrum of resources online and offline like yellow page listing and senior care organizations.
A geriatric health manager’s services can also be put to excellent use if you are new to elder care programs or if you need help with things such as a health crisis. If you are also dealing with complex legal or social issues, for instance, regarding these programs, you can also solicit for their help.