Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Watch the video blog: Geriatric Care Managers

We are often asked about the background of our professional staff and I can proudly say they are all Certified as Care Managers, (CMC).  This means they have been tested and have passed an exam that says they have the knowledge to guide families with aging issues.  In order to take this test, you must have had at least 2 years of supervised care management experience and met the educational requirements.

Some professionals come to this type of work through different professional paths, such as nursing, social work, counseling, gerontology or related fields.   At Eldercare Services, we require at least 2 years in the field of elder care or senior services, but in reality, all the professional geriatric care managers on our staff currently exceed 10 years.

When families work with our agency, they not only get the care manager for their family member, but they get the experiences and wisdom of all 20 care managers.  This collective wisdom is what makes our delivery of care management attractive to families. They love the idea of knowing if their care manager is away, they have the resources of the other 19 who will know the needs and desires of their parent through our 24/7 client information system.

We are dedicated to the profession of care management and stay attuned to the latest changes in care and entitlements to older adults through on-going professional education. 

Currently, I am the President of The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM), an organization of 2000 professionals across the nation.  We can help you move a parent to the Bay Area or help you move your mom to your location if it is the value and desire of your family.   Six of our professional staff members are enrolled as members of NAPGCM.

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

When a family member is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, often little is given to the patient or the family as they all are entering a very long journey of feelings of anger, disbelief, grief, depression, fear and concern.

It would be my ideal that each family who must experience this disease is given a coach to help them find joy and peace on this path that can be filled with potholes.  The professional could help families review and update legal tools that will be needed for decisions in the future, help them look at all the options for the future and help them plan for the costs as well – enlightening them to entitlements and benefits.

The coach would get to know the family on an intimate level and know what types of interventions would work well for the patient and each family member.  How we approach a challenge will vary from person to person and from family to family – we are all unique.

When the families have the trust in one single person or a small group of people to guide them on this journey, they truly can be freed to live and find joy in the moment.

Often professional Geriatric Care Managers are experienced at Alzheimer’s family coaching and, with just one visit a month, can give families the life line then need to find peace of mind and quality of life despite having to traverse a disease that steals minds.  At Eldercare Services, we have been guiding families in this manner for many years.

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Often individuals with dementia are in denial to something as evident as incontinence, deny they have a problem and make excuses for the wetness on their clothing or furniture.  This is embarrassing to family members and presents a hygiene issue to the family member with dementia.  This could be the sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or other physical dysfunction and should always be brought to the attention to the medical provider.  Incontinence not cared for properly can lead to a UTI which frequently leads to more confusion and disorientation.

Families call us frequently thinking this must mark the time they need professional help or help in finding a retirement living setting that can accommodate their parent or spouse.  But, before such a drastic action is taken seek a consultation with an expert, a certified, Professional Geriatric Care Manager.

This is often the time when a Geriatric Care Manager can intercede and help with individualized plans of care that respect the dignity of the elder with dementia and reduce the stress on the family care providers.

Care Managers find ways, that meet with approval, for the person with dementia to use protection – but, this is usually with very creative ideas.  Each person will have a slightly different approach. Sometimes the only way is with the outside help of a professional caregiver that is prescribed by the family doctor for health reasons.  Care Managers often get the physician to team with them to reach the same goals – reduced stress for the family and good hygiene for the person with dementia.

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Do you allow Mom to smoke, despite her dementia and living alone in a senior apartment complex?   Do you respect your Dad’s right and autonomy despite his 90+ years of life?  With poor vision and beginning forgetfulness, do you allow him to drive across the state to see an old friend who is ill?

Adult children of aging parents face many challenges when concerns of safety conflict with the elder’s choices that relate to independence. At other times, adult children face “resistance” to their well meaning rationalization to the elder family member on why a different choice should be made.

In the first story above, the daughter decided, after attending a support group for adults of aging parents, to tell the property manager who then gave the mother an eviction notice.  Daughter colluded with mother and helped her find an assisted living facility that would manage the smoking and the cigarettes as part of the “rules or laws” of that new community.  Mother adjusted and daughter wasn’t the bad guy; the apartment manager was.  Mom didn’t know it was her daughter who brought this danger to the attention of the manager.

In the second story the son decided to take some time off work and told Dad he would love to drive with him and in fact they could take the son’s newer car (knowing Dad would not want to drive it).

In both stories, dignity and respect were honored and the bad choice was made manageable and without unnecessary drama.

These are examples of some creative family problem solving that respected the elder’s desires and kept them out of harms way.  It is not always easy to do this.  If you are facing one such dilemma, you might want to attend a support group for adults concerned about aging parents or schedule a consultation to talk with a professional Geriatric Care Manager who can help you with specific, creative interventions.

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

It is true that couples don’t have to spend every last dollar in order to have the cost of skilled nursing covered by governmental benefits.  Remember, Medicare does not cover the cost of custodial care in a skilled nursing facility.  Medicare only covers short periods of time for rehab after surgery, an accident or other covered pre-admission conditions.

In many states, there are benefits that allow spouses to quality for governmental support of long term care costs in a skilled nursing facility.  There are many exempt assets and in California, the well spouse, can keep up to $109,560 (2009) and still qualify to have his or her spouse in a Medi-Cal covered skilled nursing facility.

The spouse receiving these benefits, may need to cover some of the costs with his or her retirement benefits.  This will differ from couple to couple and allowances are made if the spouse who stays at home needs more income for their health and wellness.

It can be confusing to understand what is accepted and what counts towards the total allowed for the well spouse.  Consulting with a Certified Geriatric Care Manager for an hour or two is all you will need.  If you have to move assets in order to qualify, we recommend that you consult an Elder Law Attorney who is a member of The National Association of Elder Law Attorney’s (NAELA.org).

Learn all you can about your benefits.  Sit down with someone skilled in helping you make long term decisions, such as a Professional Geriatric Care Manager.  Knowing about your benefits doesn’t need to be hard.

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

This new decade will bring many of the 76 million Baby Boomers who approach retirement, with the dreams and visisons of travel, volunteerism, and enjoying family redirected and derailed, to the reality of aging parents and their increasing dependency.

 It is my recommendation that every pre-retirement class, workshop or planner cover, for the aging baby boomer generation how to find a balance between parent care and actualizing their dreams.  The later years also bring progressive chronic illnesses to baby boomers, who on the whole are healthier than their parents at retirement, but never the less have a body that is aging or a genetic package that can’t be redesigned (or at least not this year)!

 So, with our own aging and our own dreams of what retirement holds for each of us comes the question, how do I take care of my parents and still have fulfilling relationships and enjoy the “golden” years?

 It could change the course of your “golden years” to find an experienced counselor or Professional Certified Geriatric Care Manager to review a checklist of how to find balance in life.  This can go a long way toward life satisfaction.  After such a meeting, you will need to commit to self-care that will help prevent burnout, resentment and even depression.   You should also have someone, a friend, spouse or counselor who you talk with for accountability – it is so easy to be pulled into the drama and needs of aging family members.

 Remember, balance is not eliminating your ability or willingness to support and care for your parents – but it means finding that time to get out on the golf course, take a hike, play with the grandkids or learn a new language.

 If you live in the San Francisco Bay Area we are here for you.  If you live in another part of the country send us a query and we will find someone for you to talk with.

 Happy Trails to you!

Founder and Executive Director Linda Fodrini-Johnson, MA, MFT, CMC

It has been my honor, over the past 25 years, to help people make hard decisions such as giving up a home of 50 years for a retirement community or a downsized condo.  One comes to this decision from various paths; economic reasons, health concerns, loss of spouse or wanting to relocate near adult children.  Sometimes, just because home maintenance is too much and the senior wants to travel or have less of the “have to do” chores in their life.

 What I do know is that people who are socially engaged live longer and happier lives according to research.  That individuals who have purpose and meaning in their lives are healthier than their peers without purpose.  I also know that people who have had major losses through death of spouses or friends that continue to have meaningful lives live longer as well.

 So, if you or someone you love is facing this dilemma you should consider having at least one hour with a Professional Geriatric Care Manager who can help you with your list of pros and cons before making a major move.  It is often beneficial for the elder to have this conversation with an objective professional; so the end result is your decision and not influenced by family members’ or friend’s value systems. 

 More and more Baby Boomers are thinking long range and looking at options early in their “autumn” years.  Better to be prepared than have to make decisions in a crisis.

Director of San Francisco Region, Laurel Etheridge, BA, CMC

This past weekend, I got a Jitterbug phone for my dad who has early stage dementia.  They’re user-friendly cell phones for elders. It has large easy to read and press number keys as well as simple “yes” or “no” and “on/off” buttons.

 I have programmed in my phone number and labeled it with my name so all my dad has to do is open the phone and press on my name to reach me.

 When an Operator is dialed, a live “Jitterbug” operator comes on the line and addresses my dad by name.  The Operator can assist him to place calls to pre-programmed numbers by just asking, “please connect me with my son John”.

There is a stand in which it sits to automatically re-charge when not in use.  By the way, you can also order a lanyard or belt clip for seniors on the go!

Check it out!  www.Jitterbug.com