Why Care Managers are Essential in this Post-COVID world
The COVID pandemic hit the Senior Care industry hard, and the recovery we’re looking at is not a quick one. Senior care facilities are running low on staff and resources while simultaneously facing an increased demand for their services. Seniors aren’t receiving proper care, important information is being missed, and families are left in the dark about what’s happening with their loved ones. This is a recipe for disaster, one that could make the transition into a post-COVID world even more difficult. If these are issues that you or a loved one are facing, a care manager is a great solution. They’re dedicated to your loved one’s wellbeing, as an extension of the family, and they make sure nothing slips through the cracks. Here are just a few ways you can benefit from hiring a care manager as you navigate these tumultuous times:
- A unique, personalized care plan. Senior care is not a one-size-fits-all operation. A huge point of tension for seniors this year has come from decisions made from necessity and confusion, unable to meet the senior’s personal needs because options are limited when there isn’t a plan in place. A care plan crafted by a care manager is tailored to their specific and unique needs, prioritizing their comfort to provide the highest quality of life. In times of uncertainty or emergency like these, your care plan also provides answers, support, and a guideline to follow so everyone is on the same page and moving in the same direction.
- Undivided attention for your loved one. Adult children, who are caregivers, often struggle with balancing all of the plates they have in the air, and the most common complaint is feeling like they can’t focus energy and time to any one of them. A care manager can step in to help you maintain that balance, whether it’s finding the resources and answers you’re looking for but don’t have time to research, accompanying your loved one to appointments and providing you with updates, or even monitoring your loved one for signs of distress, emergency, or red flags that signal a larger developing problem. With a care manager picking up the slack and providing a safety net so nothing slips through the cracks, you can make sure your time spent with your loved one is stress-free and relaxed.
- Avoid feeling confused and overwhelmed. With a care manager, you have access to someone who is familiar with all policies, procedures, and processes related to senior care. This is someone who has connections with professionals in many fields and access to resources that may not be well known. Senior care can be difficult to navigate without experience, and you don’t want to be caught off guard without their experience available to you. A care manager acts as your expert guide, adding peace of mind to an often confusing and overwhelming journey. This was especially true when the pandemic hit. In a time of panic and uncertainty, care managers were able to give families moments of clarity and peace by giving the latest updates and connecting families separated by visitation restrictions.
Don’t wait for the next crisis to strike. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, confused, or uncertain about your loved one’s care, contact us today to find out more about how a care manager can help you and your loved one.