What Is Case Management, and Why Is It Important To Seniors

Case Management Week

Happy Case Management Week! Case Management week was celebrated nationally between October 11th and 17th. The purpose of National Case Management Week 2020 (NCMW2020) is to recognize, acknowledge, and show appreciation for case managers, caregivers, and other care centered professionals throughout the united states.

The theme of this year’s National Case Management Week was Transitions Through Care, Expertise, and Integrity. In honor of National Case Management Week 2020, step2health aims to educate individuals on the crucial role case managers play in seniors’ daily lives.

What Is Case Management, and How Does It Concern Me or Seniors?

As seniors age, many go through physical and mental changes that make life different from how seniors lived in their younger years. While there are many pros of aging, one of the cons of aging is that completing everyday tasks in the home can become increasingly challenging.

In fact, many seniors struggle to transition into older adulthood, and getting through everyday life and completing what was once mundane tasks can become frustrating and discouraging. Tasks like driving, cooking, cleaning up around the house, and even hygiene may become painful chores for some seniors.

Seniors that are struggling to overcome the transition to older adulthood may hire individuals who act almost as personal assistants to a senior, and help with daily tasks a senior may struggle with for a couple of hours a day. However, some seniors may need more care and require special medical attention, in cases like this, case management is ideal.

Case managers act as an advocate and right-hand man or woman who helps plan services, medical and nonmedical, for a senior. The case manager’s sole job is to make sure seniors’ needs are cared for completely, whether that be cleaning, transportation, hygiene, or special medical needs.

What’s The Difference Between a Caregiver and a Case Manager?

Typically, case managers are tied to a larger company or institution. That likely means that they operate around the standards of the company or institution.

Case managers typically follow a more medical heavy model compared to caregivers as well. Case managers also may have a shorter relationship with the senior as they there to help seniors transition, but may not be there once the senior has their needs taken care of if their needs don’t require long-term attention.

Caregivers are less “medical” and tend to help out seniors in all non-medical aspects of life. Caregivers may work closely with case managers to make sure their senior’s needs are fully taken care of. While caregivers tend to leave the “medical” needs to the case manager, they are equally as important in the senior’s life.

Why Consider Case Management?

There are plenty of reasons why a senior may benefit from having a case manager. Seniors who live far from their loved ones or don’t have loved ones to turn to for help can especially benefit from case management as a case manager will be incredibly helpful to the senior’s needs. Even if the senior has a family, some families may have trouble making sure their loved one is cared for and is getting access to their needs.

Family members may also feel stressed or obligated to help out a senior in need and not all families are willing to or have the time to put in the care a senior may need, some families may not even know the best practice or how to care for a senior in need. Case managers can help ‘reduce the load” off of families back and make sure the senior has the proper care.

Seniors who need more care than the average individual would also benefit from case managers. Those who have extra medical, emotional, psychological, and physical needs can get immense support from case managers. This includes seniors who may be at risk to themselves or other people.

Is Now The Time for a Case Manager For Myself/a Loved one?

Coming to terms that you or your loved one is in need of case management services may be difficult to accept, and investing in a case manager may be initially an uncomfortable and unfamiliar investment. It is normal to feel uneasy about bringing a stranger into your own or your loved one’s home, but it’s important to keep in mind that case managers are trusted, licensed individuals who’s whole career is dedicated to helping those in need. Case managers are amazing support systems and want their clients to thrive.

I Want To Get a Case Manager For Myself or My Loved One. How Do I Go About Doing That?

Thanks to the internet, it is relatively easy to find a case manager in your area. Caring.com is a great resource for those looking for case managers near them, but don’t have any connections.

I Want To Get a Case Manager For Myself or My Loved One, But I’m Worried I Can’t Afford A Case Manager

Finances are a real and valid concern when it considering if having a case manager for a senior or yourself is a viable expense. According to Caring.com, certain government agencies or charities may offer consulting costs at no fee at all or will have individual pay based on their income. Generally, though, case managers will charge between $75-250 per hour for their services.

Unfortunately, caring.com mentions that many private case management services won’t be covered by Medicare or Medicaid, or some private insurance companies. Despite this, there is still potential value in hiring a case manager. Family members of a senior working with a case manager are able to reduce the amount of time spent — and therefore money in terms of working hours lost — taking on the responsibilities that a case manager now takes on.

Finally, case managers could be a worthy investment as they are paid and dedicate their job to making sure their clients are safe, happy, and cared for. If a senior you know or a loved one lives far away, case managers can offer the necessary help and added peace of mind to a family isn’t close by.

A Note To Case Managers

To all case managers, thank you. Despite unprecedented times, case managers and other health care professionals have continued to give their all to seniors, adapt and overcome to challenges, and constantly be an ally for the individuals they care for. Without case managers, many individuals would not be where they are today, and at step2health we are so incredibly grateful for case managers across the country and across the globe.