How Aging Life Care Professionals™ Help Families Navigate Eldercare Challenges

By: Batchelor Brothers Funeral Services
Friday, July 17, 2020

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.

Leave a comment
Name*:
Email:
Comment*:
Please enter the numbers and letters you see in the image. Note that the case of the letters entered matters.

Comments

Please wait

Previous Posts

Your Guide to Visitation Etiquette: Eight Basic Rules Everyone Should Know

By mastering funeral visitation etiquette, you can ensure that your presence brings comfort at a difficult time. Knowing the expectations and protocols can help you navigate these delicate situati...

A Labor of Love: How to Choose Burial Clothes for the Departed

When preparing for a loved one’s final goodbye, the choice of burial clothing becomes a heartfelt expression of reverence. The loss of a loved one is often a deeply emotional time. Amid grief, man...

Looking to Add More Produce to Your Diet? Try These Ten Simple Solutions

Take the first step towards a healthier you by learning how to effortlessly add more produce to your diet. Incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet goes beyond just meeting the dail...

The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Cremation: Seven Useful Facts Everyone Needs to Know

Understanding cremation begins with separating the facts from the misconceptions. Cremation has become increasingly popular in recent years as individuals seek alternative end-of-life options. Des...

Traditional Funeral Flowers Not For You? Here Are Six Clever, Eco-Conscious Options

As we become increasingly aware of environmental concerns, the impact of traditional funeral flowers on our planet has come under scrutiny. Amid grief and loss, funeral flower arrangements have lo...

Winter Heart Attacks Are More Common Than You Think. Here’s How to Reduce Your Risk

Amid the serene beauty of frosty settings, winter heart attacks are a chilling reality for many people. Winter is a picturesque time of year with its snow-covered landscapes and crackling fireplac...

How Heartfelt Condolence Messages Can Ease the Pain of Grief

Condolence messages are often a source of great comfort to those who are grappling with loss. This simple gesture lets you express your sympathies and lets the bereaved know they are in your thoug...

Five Inspiring Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Day 2024

In the United States, Martin Luther King Day is observed annually on the third Monday in January. The day commemorates the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Baptist minister and pr...

The Causes of Pneumonia: Five Surprising Facts Everyone Should Know

The lesser-known causes of pneumonia involve some unexpected factors that go beyond the usual suspects. Did you know that, together with the flu, pneumonia is a top cause of death in the United St...

Funeral and Estate Planning is a Smart New Year’s Resolution. Find Out Why.

This New Year, go beyond the surface-level resolutions and delve into the power of funeral and estate planning. The journey through advanced funeral and estate planning may not be fun, but it is a...