In 2020, about 1 in 6 people in the United States were age 65 and over. Along with explosive growth in older populations, family dynamics have required a complete reimagining of retirement, aging plans, and family systems. For overwhelmed adult children trying to provide care from afar to seniors struggling to remain independent without a support system, case management is emerging as the must-have resource for families across the country.
Case Management, or Aging Life Care, is a holistic approach to helping seniors. They offer seniors customized care plans that cater to their unique needs. From quarterly check-ins to managing every detail of daily life, case managers step in to calm the chaos for aging adults who need support.
When do you need a case manager? How do you know when to get case management involved for a senior loved one – or yourself? Here are a few real-life examples of seniors who benefited from the extra support and expertise of a case manager.
Who Needs a Case Manager?
- The senior with no family.
- An older adult with family out-of-state.
- Older couple with estranged children.
1. Social networks for elder orphans must go beyond family members.
Many older adults do not have children. Whether due to choice, fertility, or the rise in cohabitation over marriage, childlessness is becoming more common. So, who supports these older childless adults?
Case Study: No Kids, No Family, Just Sweet Sue
Sweet Sue is a private woman of modest means, dedicating most of her time and attention to her four cats and one beloved dog. Sue and her husband did not have children, and, like her husband, all her family passed away long ago. Her neighbors describe her as friendly, but solitary, and Sue quietly functioned from day to day until she had a fall and was admitted to rehab for an extended period.
No Family – Now What?
Even at the hospital, Sue made it clear that her pets were her primary concern. The hospital social worker made a call to a case management firm, and they were able to help Sue immediately. Beyond help with her fur babies, Sue needed support when she returned home from the rehab center.
Care Plan for Sue
Facilitate pet care
Arrange home care for Sue
Moderate assist with life tasks during recovery
Case management is a perfect solution for Sue. Her case manager brought her pictures of her beloved pets while she was in rehab which brought peace of mind during her recovery. After she returned home, Sue was able to resume her daily activities and gradually reduce her case manager visits as she gained confidence. Currently, Sue has quarterly clinical and non-clinical visits for ongoing support, keeping a system of care in place for any incidents that may pop up.
2. Long-distance caregiving is hard.
Whether you are the primary caregiver for an aunt or the only daughter of a fiercely independent mother, managing care from another state (or country) is overwhelming. As loved ones age, their needs increase and distance becomes a greater obstacle. A case manager provides boots-on-the-ground insight and personal solutions while keeping long-distance caregivers in the loop.
Case Study: Far Away Frank
Frank retired to Florida years ago after his wife passed away. His only daughter lives up north and has two grown children of her own and grandchildren who hold her heart and attention. Frank’s eyesight is failing, causing increasing problems with daily activities like driving, paying bills, and staying social. He wants to remain independent, but macular degeneration is a serious struggle.
Care Plan for Frank
Assist with bill pay
Manage home care visits
Install safety devices that connect with out-of-town family
Attend medical appointments and report back to family
Frank’s family feels good knowing that a case manager is available to manage any crisis that may arise. With regular case management visits, Frank continues to be in charge of his care plan and remains independent. Having his financial accounts in good standing has always been important to him, so having a trustworthy case manager overseeing his bills is a high-level benefit for Frank and his family.
3. Why can’t we all just get along?
Not all families support each other in difficult situations. Whether it is a lifetime of miscommunication or recent estrangement, some seniors find themselves in need of assistance after a family fallout. It can be hard to understand why family members would turn their back on an aging loved one, but the truth is everyone has a story, and the senior still needs help. A case manager can be a surrogate family member to the aging adult, providing the support needed and helping to create a custom care plan that fits their needs and budget.
Case Study: Complicated Family Dynamics for Estranged Esther
Esther and her second husband, Phil, married against the wishes of all their children. Though that happened years ago, the family has never recovered. As Esther and Phil have gotten older, none of the adult children have stepped up to offer consistent support. Esther’s youngest daughter got involved for a time, even helping financially with expenses for in-home care, but after yet another falling out, the daughter took her money and called it quits on the whole relationship.
Care Plan for Esther and Phil
Connect clients with Public Benefits attorney
Manage finances
Assist with medical needs
Evaluate senior living options and expenses
A referral to a reputable care manager from their primary care doctor was the best prescription for their troubles! Esther and Phil needed help creating and executing a plan that would provide them the care they needed and public benefits to help defray the costs. Families can be complicated. Thankfully, there are professional experts prepared to help without judgment.
Real Life Reasons for Case Management
Life happens. There are many reasons why people reach old age alone, far away from family, or no longer involved with their family. No matter the family dynamics, a case manager can quickly assess the situation and access resources that can help.
Whatever your circumstances or family relationships, a thoughtful aging plan can be developed with an Elder Law Attorney to include case management. No one knows what the future may hold, but we can be confident - seniors will have reliable advocates. With the continued growth of case management, older adults – with or without families – can create a solid aging plan that includes a dependable advocate to help execute it when the time comes.
No one needs to age alone. Learn more about Case Management and how these holistic, senior care experts can assist seniors in the Legal and Financial Section of our Blog.
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