A PGCM is a specialist who helps mature adults and families who are caring for older relatives. The PGCM is trained and experienced in any of several fields related to long-term care, including nursing, gerontology, and social work, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care. The PGCM is an experienced guide and resource for families of older adults and others with chronic needs.

When considering whether you need a PGCM, you should consider whether you have the time to manage the many aspects of geriatric care. If you are not sure, ask a trusted source, such as your physician, to help you decide.

When you place a call to Senior Matters, the staff will listen to your situation and tell you whether we can help you, and how we believe we can help you. If we do not believe our assistance will benefit you, we will refer you to someone who fits your needs more appropriately.

Services that Senior Matters Professional Geriatric Care Managers (PGCMs) can provide for you………

Finding the way through the healthcare system can be frustrating and difficult.  Senior Matters PGCMs advocate for our clients in a variety of settings including working with hospital discharge planners, physicians, elder care attorneys, bank trust officers, and financial planners.  We assist clients through the mazes of home health agencies, hospice groups, retirement communities, assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, and various state agencies. After an initial consultation, one of our PGCMs will conduct a personalized assessment of the individual, as well as the environment, to determine current and future needs.  A customized care plan will be developed that may include recommendations such as:

• Ongoing assessments to ensure safety and quality of life
• Coordination of physician care to facilitate communication between specialty physicians
• Care coordination (short-term or long term)
• Arranging for outside services such as drug delivery, meal delivery, or healthcare monitoring devices
• Non-medical In-Home caregiver / companions
• Financial Planning
• Counseling and family support
• Pre-legal assistance
• Dietary consultation
• Relocation services. 

A Senior Matters PGCM's goal is always to help the client maintain his or her independence and to assist the client in remaining in his or her own home if at all possible. A PGCM can assist the client with a single task, such as choosing a long-term community, or the PGCM can oversee all aspects of the caregiving needs of the client.