How Aging Life Care Professionals™ Help Families Navigate Eldercare Challenges

Dealing with the needs of elderly parents can be challenging at best. In addition to the stress and emotion involved, tending to the many facets of their lives is often complicated and frustrating. 

And life doesn’t stop simply because aging loved ones need additional care. The demands of children, spouses, and jobs all continue to require time and attention, so the extra responsibility can easily become overwhelming. To successfully navigate this new and complex territory, it can be helpful to engage an Aging Life Care Professional™.

Turn to the experts in aging well.

Also known as Geriatric Care Managers (GCM), Aging Life Care Professionals™ are trained and certified to provide families with guidance on many critical aspects of senior care, including health care, financial services, housing, legal services, advocacy, and more. They possess credentials and experience in any of several fields related to care management, including areas such as nursing, gerontology, social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and eldercare. As members of the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA), Aging Life Care Professionals™ must pass and maintain rigorous certifications and commit to adhering to the industry’s strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. They can access deep resources about medical, housing, and financial needs that the general public may not know existed. They also have experience coordinating between these various aspects of life to ensure that the older adults in their care enjoy the highest quality of life possible. Read on as we explore the many ways that Aging Life Care Professionals™ can be invaluable to those who are grappling with how to best look after the needs of an elderly loved one.

When crises strike, experienced guidance leads to better results.

Many times, becoming responsible for the care and decision-making for a parent is not something adult children are skilled in or prepared for. It often happens quickly as the result of a health emergency or other acute occurrence. When this happens, family members may inadvertently make hasty decisions that are not in their loved one’s best interests due to stress, fear, or a lack of information.  The experienced guidance of an Aging Life Care Professional™ can make the transition much smoother, leading to better outcomes down the road.

Unbiased expert advice is particularly helpful in stressful situations.

Taking on the role of caregiver to an aging parent is typically an emotional time for adult children. The role reversal can be sad and unnerving, and coordinating care among multiple siblings can make the situation even more challenging. The senior may also be resistant to giving up control even though self-care is no longer possible. Under these tense and troubling circumstances, it can be hard to make the right decisions for the aging loved one. Having an Aging Life Care Professional™ present serving as an impartial third party can provide valuable guidance as to the best course of action.

In cases of geographical restriction, having a local advocate is invaluable.

Many adult children do not live close enough to their elderly parents to attend doctor’s visits or meetings with care facilities. These important appointments can often be joined via phone or conference call, but sometimes they must be handled in person. An Aging Life Care Professional™ can be a vital ally in situations like these, standing in for the adult children and advocating for the senior when necessary. Having these experienced, local “eyes and ears” provides enormous peace of mind for concerned family members who live a distance away.

Aging Life Care Professionals™ provide answers during times of uncertainty.

They lead families to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and the best possible lives for their elderly loved ones. Their compassionate guidance and advocacy can produce better results for everyone in the family. To find an Aging Life Care Professional™ in your area, please visit this searchable directory of ALCA members.

The prospect of coordinating care for an aging parent can be stressful, worrisome, and overwhelming. Batchelor Brothers Funeral Services has an extensive network of quality elder care resources at our disposal. If you need assistance, please reach out to us anytime.

About Batchelor Brothers Funeral Services: As a leading African American-owned and operated funeral and cremation organization serving three states, Batchelor Brothers Funeral Services has provided a ministry of care to thousands of grieving families. We promise to provide our highest level of distinguished service and respect to families who entrust us to honor their loved one. In all aspects of the funeral process, we strive to be the absolute best and are honored to help preserve our clients’ legacies for future generations. With two convenient locations serving North and West Philadelphia, as well as Drexel Hill, it is always our pleasure to be of service. Please visit our website for more information.