Extreme Heat Or Flooding Puts Elders At Risk

Main Category: Seniors / Aging
Article Date: 14 Jun 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Heat affects elders more than it does younger people. Dehydration could lead to cardiac or other medical crises. Sudden flooding or impending flooding stresses frail, older adults. Elders with impaired judgment caused by mild dementia could be more at risk than their healthy peers as the weather threatens their well-being.

Adult children of aging parents at a distance are stressed and worried. Calling a skilled professional in the area where aging parents live could be the difference between life and death. A geriatric care manager is a skilled professional who can assist aging family members struggling amidst treacherous weather conditions. Geriatric care managers are able to help to ensure the safety and well-being of elders and to relieve the concerns of adult children living at a distance.

A geriatric care manager is a health and human services expert, such as a social worker, counselor, gerontologist or nurse, with a specialized body of knowledge and experience related to aging and care issues. A geriatric care manager assists older adults and persons with disabilities in addressing issues related to their health, psychological, functional and legal/financial status. In addition, the geriatric care manager coordinates ongoing care and serves as an experienced guide and resource for families of older adults and others with chronic needs. The geriatric care manager respects the autonomy of the individual, services with sensitivity and supports the dignity of each individual.

About the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

NAPGCM was formed in 1985 to advance dignified care for older adults and their families in the United States. The association currently boasts a membership of over 2,200 care managers. Geriatric care managers are professionals who have extensive training and experience working with older people, people with disabilities and families who need assistance with care giving issues. They assist families in the search for a suitable nursing home placement or extended care if the need occurs. Geriatric care managers who are members of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) are committed to adhering to the NAPGCM Pledge of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The practice of geriatric care management and the role of care providers have captured a national spotlight, as generations of Baby Boomers age in the United States and abroad.

Individuals may obtain the free brochure "Questions and Answers When Looking for a Geriatric Care Manager," on the NAPGCM web site at: http://www.caremanager.org and then click on "Learn More About Geriatric Care Management," and "Find a Care Manager." Individuals looking for a Professional Geriatric Care Manager in their local area may visit www.caremanager.org and may use the searchable directory that is located in the "Find a Care Manager" section.

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
http://www.caremanager.org