Q. I am hearing more and more about private geriatric care managers and was wondering what qualifies someone to do this kind of work?

In order to qualify for membership in the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers individuals must be professionals who hold degrees in nursing, social work, gerontology, psychology or health and human services. We are a growing network of over one thousand professionals who are experts in assessing the needs of elders and assisting them and their families in locating appropriate services and resources.

Q. I am close to my father, and am happy to help him out, but with a job and three children I am finding it hard to do it all. What kind of assistance can you provide for me?

We at Senior Support Solutions can help you decide what services would best meet the needs of your father. We can arrange for a wide range of services. For example, we can arrange for home care or legal assistance. We can arrange for individuals to do home adaptations or repairs. If necessary we make sure there is someone to monitor medication, provide transportation or accompany your father to social events. We tailor our services to meet both your needs as well as the needs of your father.

Q. As a family we are having difficulty agreeing on what's best for our mother, now that she needs more care. How can you help?

It is not always easy for a family to agree on what is best for an older family member. This can be a very challenging task for most any family. Long-standing issues are likely to resurface. Differences in personality, belief systems, and familial relationships all play a part.

Senior Support Solutions has services in place to help. As part of the services, we conduct a comprehensive assessment of our client's level of functioning and supportive care needs. We give you professional feedback regarding the care options we recommend. In addition, we provide counseling and consultation services which provide all family members with the opportunity to address their specific concerns and questions. . We are happy to help our families work through differences of opinion so that they can reach consensus and an agreed upon plan of care.

Q. My mother could really use your help. Are Geriatric Care Management services covered by insurance?

Unfortunately at this time most insurance does not cover the cost of geriatric care management services. For that reason we cannot accept Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. However for those who have Long Term Care Insurance, there are certain policies that will cover selected services. Check your specific policy to determine coverage.

Q. What should I do about my mother's house? She has not thrown out a thing since my father passed away five years ago. She saves everything from junk mail to left over food. I'm beginning to think this is a health and safety issue. She refuses all offers of help. What can I do?

What you are describing is hoarding, a behavior that is common among older people. As unsettling as this can be for you, holding on to possessions may be a source of comfort for your mother. It is important to take a close look at your own feelings about this. You may have different standards for orderliness in your own home and therefore see your mother's housekeeping as intolerable. The question you raised is a good one. Is your mother's hoarding creating a safety or health hazard for her? If so, you are right to consider a plan to improve the conditions in her home. The key is compromise. You need to work with your mother and agree on what will be cleaned up or removed and what won't be touched. There is nothing wrong with boxing up "prized possessions" and storing them where they will not be under foot but will also not be thrown away. Senior Support Solutions is available for all phases of this delicate issue, from the preparatory counseling needed to the hands on labor required.