Geriatric Care Manager
Long-Term CareProfessional (often nurse or social worker) specializing in assisting elderly and families with long-term care planning. Assesses needs, develops care plans, coordinates services, monitors care, communicates with family. Private pay service. Helps families navigate complex long-term care system. Not covered by insurance.
More Long-Term Care Terms
Activities of Daily Living
Basic self-care tasks used to assess functional ability and determine need for assistance. Six standard ADLs: bathing, dressing, toileting, transferring, continence, feeding. Inability to perform ADLs independently triggers long-term care needs. Used for insurance eligibility, facility placement, care planning.
Adult Day Care
Supervised program providing social activities, meals, recreation, some health services during daytime hours. Allows caregivers to work or get respite while participants receive care and socialization. May be social model or medical model. Often private pay, sometimes Medicaid or Veterans benefits. Not covered by Medicare.
Aging in Place
Concept of remaining in one's own home and community as one ages, using services to maintain independence. May involve home modifications, assistive technology, home care services, meal delivery, transportation. More affordable than facility care. Requires adequate housing and support network. Goal of many seniors and long-term care planning.
Alzheimer's Special Care Unit
Secured unit within nursing facility designed specifically for dementia patients. Provides specialized environment, staff training, structured activities, safety features. Higher staff-to-resident ratio. More expensive than standard nursing home care. May be separate facility or dedicated wing. Also called memory care unit.
Assisted Living Facility
Residential setting providing housing, meals, personal care assistance for people who need help with daily activities but not full-time nursing care. Provides medication management, housekeeping, activities, transportation. Not medical care. Private pay, not typically covered by Medicare or most insurance. Medicaid may cover in some states.
Care Coordination
Process of organizing and managing healthcare services across multiple providers and settings to ensure appropriate, efficient care. Particularly important for elderly, chronically ill, post-hospitalization. Helps navigate complex healthcare system. Reduces hospitalizations, improves outcomes. May be provided by case managers, social workers, nurses.
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