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Geriatric Care Managers as an Advocate and Friend

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Date: 1999, Sep 24
From: Sheri D. Fanning, RN,C sheri@CareMate.com

Recently, I had a family member contact me from out of state. She had been concerned about her mother and her current health status. This older adult had been having medical problems for about two months when the family began to worry that their mother needed someone to help keep an eye on her medical problems. This older adult had not been hospitalized for her medical condition but was being treated on an out patient basis thus she was unable to get home care services through Medicare. Both the daughters lived out of state and had children and jobs they could not leave for an extended period of time.

During a visit home over the holidays the family noticed their mother was not recuperating as fast as they had hoped. The doctors assured the family it was only going to be a matter of time until their mother’s health returned. When it was time for the family to return to their homes they were concerned about who would keep an eye on their mother. Feeling a little guilty and apprehensive one of the daughters called me and asked how my services could help. I explained that I was a nurse and we reviewed her mother medical status over the phone. We set up a time when her mother and I could meet.

I visited the mother of the woman I had spoken with and we decided on how we could best use my services to meet her and her daughters needs, I then returned home and with the wishes of my client and her family, developed a plan of care. Over the next few days my client and I developed a special relationship that I also shared with her daughters.

As the days passed my client’s condition continued to decline. I made doctor appointments for her and attended them with her. The doctors were able to get a clearer picture of how my client’s medical status was changing. I kept in very close contact with the daughters with updates on their mother’s status after each contact and doctors appointment. Unfortunately, my client’s status came to a point where we had to hospitalize her. I took her to the hospital of her choice and made sure the physicians knew her current and past medical history. It took me 4 hours to convince the doctors to admit her for observation, but after my client was finally admitted we notified the daughters and together we decided when it was time for the daughters to come home. The daughters and I had not met before but when we saw each other we knew each other. My focus changed from not only meeting the needs of the mother but also the needs of the family in this very difficult time.

My client was a very courageous woman who was unable to fight her medical problems and she died a short time later. She was very grateful for the attention I gave her and made sure to let me know how important she felt my services were. The family also expressed their gratitude for being there when they couldn¹t and making their mother’s last days as comfortable as possible.

This experience convinced me that there is a need for my services and I can make a difference. The services I provide are unique and personal and are tailored to meet the needs of the client and their families. Because I am not a large agency I can offer the older adult and their family a service that is cost effective but also personal. There are many older adults and families who want and need professional medical assistance but cannot afford the enormous cost. I work with each older adult and family so we can together can meet their health care needs.

In loving memory of E.M.K.