You’re worried about your mother. Since your dad passed away last year, her health has gone downhill, and you’re just not sure how long she’ll be able to take care of herself. You wish you could be there to take care of her, but you live two states away and between your job and your teenage daughter, it’s just not possible. You have the sense that she could use some assistance, but you’re just not sure how much help she needs – or where to look.

This is a situation where a Geriatric Care Manager could help. A Geriatric Care Manager (GCM) is a professional with a background in gerontology, nursing, social work, or counseling who specializes in helping with long term care arrangements. In situations where older people and their families are unsure about what options are available for elder care and assistance, a GCM can step in and help educate the family on the cost, availability, and quality of local resources.

A GCM can also help assess an elderly family member’s need for long-term care, help him or her transition into care, and monitor his or her progress, alerting loved ones to emergency situations. This can be especially helpful for families who are making long-distance arrangements for an elderly family member’s care.

If you’re considering engaging the services of a Geriatric Care Manager, it’s essential that you screen each applicant carefully. Although certification is available for GCM’s, the field is largely unregulated, so anyone can claim to be a Geriatric Care Manager. For this reason, you’ll want to check for certification and also ask for –and follow up on – references. Also, make sure you know how the GCM will communicate with you and what his or her fees will be. And, as always, get everything in writing.

To find a Geriatric Care Manager, you can check with your local hospital or senior center.

The Law Offices of James A. Miller is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.