June 2

How to Utilize Care Managers When You Don’t Have Family Support

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Are you over the age of 50? Are you living alone without the support of family members or close friends who live nearby? Do you often worry about what will happen to you if you have a medical emergency or need help with activities of daily living due to age or illness?

Aging comes with many challenges.

  • You may find yourself unable to drive or perform simple daily tasks such as cooking, shopping, cleaning, and paying bills.
  • Medical emergencies can be disastrous if no one can take you to the doctor and care for you while you recover.
  • Age-related diseases like Dementia or Alzheimers can leave you unable to make decisions about your care and ensure your wishes are carried out.

If you find yourself worrying about issues like these, you’re not alone.

11.3 million older adults live alone, outside of nursing homes or hospitals, and women are twice as likely to live alone than men. Plus, with more and more adults choosing not to have children or get married, that number is expected to rise.

So, what are you supposed to do when your health or mobility starts to decline, and you find yourself in this type of situation — you can reach out to a Care Manager for help.

An Aging Life Care Manager is trained to help you navigate all the challenges of life after 50. They will work with you one-on-one to customize a care plan that suits your needs, and they act as your healthcare advocates.

But, don’t decide to hire a Care Manager lightly. They perform a variety of important tasks for you.

They will be coming into your home, escorting you to doctor appointments, taking you out to run errands, or taking you to social events. They’ll be talking to your doctors and other medical staff on your behalf to ensure you receive the level of care and support you require.

Take the time to research your options and understand how an Aging Life Care Manager can help you. Here are some ways that you can utilize the support of a Care Manager to plan for your future as well as manage your daily life.

1. Ask For an Assessment to Help You Determine What Level of Care You Require

Before an Aging Life Care Manager can help you, they need to know what level of care you require. Let’s take a look at a few typical needs most of our clients have.

Daily Living

Care Managers can help you with daily activities that are becoming more difficult. From grocery shopping to cleaning, they’ll help you build a plan that will make daily life easier.

Emergency Planning

Are you still in good health and only need someone to assist you in creating a plan for medical emergencies? In this case, a Care Manager can help you learn about the legal documents you should fill out — such as living wills, advanced directives, and power of attorney — and provide you with a number to call during an emergency.

Long-Term Illness Support

Have you recently been diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimer’s, and you need a care plan that ensures your needs are met as the disease progresses? A Care Manager that specializes in working with patients living with these diseases can help you plan for every potential situation you might find yourself in as your symptoms worsen.

Related Reading: Ask the Expert: Maintaining Independence

2. Utilize Them as a Resource for Referrals and Recommendations

Care Managers know the local resources like the back of their hand, and they work with service providers on behalf of their clients all the time.

Whether you need assistance preparing legal documents, recommendations for in-home care or assisted living facilities, or for local support groups, our Care Managers have you covered.

Do you live in the Sandhills Area? We maintain an up to date list of local resources and events for your area on our website. You can find a list of support groups here: Sandhills Area Support Groups, upcoming events here: Sandhills Area Events for Adults Over 50, and some useful online resources here: Web Resources for Adults Over 50.

If you’re not local to the Sandhills area, don’t worry! Contact us, and we can put you in touch with someone who can help you find the resources you need for your area.

Related Reading: Where Will You Live if You Cannot Take Care of Yourself?

3. Let Them Become Your Healthcare Advocate

Care Managers have one goal—to be your healthcare advocate. They’re going to do everything in their power to look after your needs. Your health and safety is their top priority.

You’ll never have to worry about missing doctor appointments or having to go alone when you have a Care Manager in your corner. They can escort you to appointments and make sure all your questions are answered, and that the right questions are asked.

Having a Care Manager on your side makes talking to doctors and other healthcare staff much simpler. They have invaluable experience, so they can clarify complicated instructions from your doctor when you need help understanding what they mean.

If you and your Care Manager believe your doctor should consider adjusting your treatment plan or medications, they can discuss it with your doctor on your behalf.

Request your free consultation now to find out how our experienced and compassionate Care Managers can help you get the assistance you need today.

Related Reading: How to Combat Isolation as an Elder Orphan

4. Ask For Counseling, Education, and Support When Needed

Have you recently been diagnosed with Dementia or Alzheimer’s? Are you worried about how your life is going to change as the disease progresses and your symptoms worsen?

Our Care Managers have specialized training, so they know how to care for the unique needs of patients who have been diagnosed with these diseases.

We can provide you with counseling to help you cope with the challenges you’re going to face, as well as educate you on the specifics of the disease.

Our Care Managers are here to provide the care and support you need during this time, and we’ll help you find a support group in your area.

Request your free consultation to speak with one of our experienced and knowledgeable Care Managers to find how we can help you right away.

Related Reading: Caregiver Support: The Value of Caregiver Support Services

5. Ask For Bill Paying Assistance

Do you find yourself forgetting to pay important bills like power or water? Have you had to call these companies embarrassed and begging for them to turn your services back on without charging you a fee you can’t pay?

Our Care Managers understand that memory loss can make it challenging to pay bills and manage your finances.

We offer bill-paying assistance to clients who need help, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to pay important bills again.

Related Reading: Mind Over Money: Early Signs of Cognitive Decline

6. Seek Their Support During a Medical Crisis

Medical emergencies can leave you overwhelmed and in a panic. We understand that emergencies happen at all hours of the day and night, and our Care Managers are here to help no matter what time of day it is.

When you sign up for our AOS Cares Program, you’ll gain access to our 24/7 emergency line that puts you in contact with one of our Aging Life Care Managers when you need their help the most.

“Going with AOS and having Amy Natt as our care manager is the smartest arrangement I have made regarding my husband’s and my senior years. Amy has guided us and been with me during several medical emergencies.

She knows how to operate the ins and outs of a hospital environment and is able to handle any problem. She also attends doctors’ appointments with us and keeps dots connected, so nothing falls through the cracks, which is a great comfort.

Care problems that arise in your daily home care are smoothly resolved.”

Lea Isadore, A Client of Aging Outreach Services

Request your free consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate Care Managers so you can rest easy knowing that we’ve got your back during a medical crisis.

Related Reading: Brain Health: Better Coping After a Medical Crisis

Speak to a Care Manager Today

Our Care Managers understand how difficult it is to face the challenges of life after 50 without family support. You need to know that there is someone around who can help take care of you should your health or mobility begin to decline.

Our Care Managers give you the peace of mind to live your life without fear that you’ll end up facing a medical emergency alone without assistance while you recover.

Request your free consultation and speak to one of our experienced and compassionate Care Managers today, so you can get the support you need right away.

Request a Consultation

Life over 50 is complicated. From illnesses to general aging-related difficulties, there's a lot to learn and a lot to cope with. We understand and we're here to help answer questions and provide guidance on your options.


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