FULL SERVICE CARE MANAGEMENT COMPANIES

CayCare, Inc
PO Box 1477
Orting, Washington, 98360
(866)337-1176 www.caycareplacement.com
contact@caycareplacement.com
Referral Agency and Geriatric Care Managment Company

Elder Assessment and Referral Services
9422 Rock Row
University Place, WA 98466
Office Telephone: (253) 756-7800
Cell Phone: (253) 222-6192
Fax: (253) 756-0893
Email Address: elderassessment@comcast.net
Owned and operated by mental health professionals.

Elder Pathways, Ltd.
8113 Mercer Ct. NE
Lacey, WA 98516
(253) 370-3886
www.elderpathways.com
Owned and operated by registered nurses.

Sound Options, Inc.
3518 6th Ave. Suite 300
Tacoma, WA 98406
(253) 756-5007 or 1-800-628-7649
www.soundoptions.com
Owned and operated by Registered Nurse with mediation training and a Certified Life Care Planner.

The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care managers (GCM) is an organization of practitioners whose goal is the advancement of gentle and dignified care for the elderly and their families. GCM is committed to maximizing the independence and autonomy of frail elders while striving to ensure that the highest quality and most cost-effective health and human service are used when and where appropriate. Through education, advocacy, counseling and the delivery of concrete services, GCM members assist older persons and their families to cope with the challenges of aging.

GCM promotes the highest standards of practice. Full membership is open only to qualified individuals with a graduate degree in the field of human services (social work, psychology, gerontology) or a substantial equivalent (i.e., R.N.), who are certified or licensed at the independent practice level and who are experienced in the delivery of services to the elderly and their families.

Since its inception in 1986, GCM has become a recognized leader nationally. GCM members participate in national coalitions and at professional meetings around the country. Articles about caregiving and GCM and its services appear regularly in publications and in broadcast media. Major businesses and professional societies seek out GCM services.

What is a Geriatric Care Manager?
A geriatric care manager is a professional who specializes in assisting older people and their families with long tem care arrangements. GCMs have Master's degree level training in gerontology, social work, nursing, or counseling.

GCM members can help:

• Conduct care-planning, assessments to identify problems, eligibility for assistance, and need for services;
• Screen, arrange, and monitor in-home help or other services;
• Review financial, legal, or medical issues and offer referrals to geriatric specialists to avoid future problems and conserve assets;
• Provide crisis intervention;
• Act as a liaison to families at a distance, making sure things are going well and alerting families to problems;
• Assist with moving an older person to or from a retirement complex, care home, or nursing home;
• Provide consumer education and advocacy; and
• Offer counseling and support

Some GCMs also provide family or individual therapy, money management, and conservatorship or guardianship assistance. GCMs have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of services in their community. One call to GCM will connect you with the services an older person may need.

Benefits of Care Management Services
Care management services are offered in a variety of settings. We believe the model utilized by GCM members best serves the clients and their representatives. Practitioners can offer:

• Short-term or ongoing assistance for long-distance caregivers.
• Personalized, gentle services specifically to meet the client's wants and needs.
• Accessibility since many GCM members are available after hours and on weekends.
• Continuity of care management to reduce miscommunications, time, stress, and costs to clients.
• Efficiency and flexibility because GCM services are streamlined and client-centered, not complicated by bureaucratic red tape.
• Cost-control. GCM members strive to reduce inappropriate institutional care and overuse of services. They match the service to the client's needs and help contain costs. Ongoing monitoring can prevent costly crises and unnecessary hospitalizations.
• Quality control. GCM has adopted standards for practice for all its members. In addition, all full members are reviewed for educational and experience requirements prior to acceptance.