Care Management
 A innovative approach to living independently
Everyone treasures his or her independence. Most individuals view independence as the ability to successfully live at home. But when decline in health, possible mental confusion or the maze of medical treatments start to threaten independence, it can create complex problems for the individual and their loved ones. Compass Care Management can assist individuals who desire to continue living at home by offering coordinated access to a wide range of community resources.
Creating a personal care plan
Care management is much more than a referral service. We work directly with our clients, their family members and health care professionals to implement and monitor a personal care plan to meet an individual's needs.
How the program works
A social worker experienced in health care or geriatrics makes a home visit to determine areas in which a client might need assistance. The social worker draws on their training of evaluating the client in their environment to assess all aspects of a person's functioning. This includes, but is not limited to, physical capabilities, mental health issues and everyday activities such as cooking, cleaning, socializing, and handling personal finances. The social worker then identifies and can implement services to help achieve maximum independence and security. Some examples could include arranging for transportation services, a home health aid and possibly respite services for family members. Following are the most frequently cited reasons for care management-services:
- Assist family members in assessing appropriateness of current living situation
- Assess and assist family with home safety monitoring
- Help select alternative living arrangements if desired or required
- Monitor services regularly and make changes as indicated
- Assist responsible caregivers who live at a distance
- Assess the need for managing daily financial obligations
- Assess the need for and implement appropriate community resources
Ongoing Care Management
Ongoing management puts the recommendations from the care plan into action. The care manager unravels the maze of community resources available to an individual and arranges the right service to ensure that a person's needs are met with the highest quality of care. The care manager monitors both the level and the appropriateness of service in order to respond to the changing needs of the individual. Care management is available on a short-term or a long-term basis.
Assessment
With a care management assessment, a social worker implements a home visit and makes an in-depth assessment of physical health, mental health and activities of daily living. This assessment usually requires three to four hours. It may include: an evaluation of the safety and appropriateness of the current living situation, communication with the physician, family member or any other involved agency when indicated, consultation with a geriatrician written care plan with recommendations to meet a client's short and long term needs; the care plan will include appropriate community resources available to access.
Care Management Services
Care management services can be selected according to need. Services can be arranged on a short-term basis or as part of an ongoing care program. Some families who need to sort out options may only want an assessment. If assistance is needed putting a plan into place, ongoing care management can be the best solution. Consultation is also available for individuals who are unsure what type of services would be fit their situation.
Family Consultation
Our care manager is an invaluable resource for families who need to come to a better understanding of a loved one's disease, the aging process or the implications of change. Families who need assistance in reaching an agreement about the future of an aging parent or loved one have found this service extremely helpful. |
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Letter of Appreciation
Dear Cheryl,
Thank you SO much for sending someone to help us during our ' health crisis' with Don's mom! Michelle is a great care manager and really put our minds at ease regarding the future plan. We now have a plan! Michelle was very professional, courteous and extremely knowledgeable about what would work best for our needs.
We learned so much through this journey with an aging parent. From Michelle and your company we have realistic goals and a plan to achieve them. Opal is stabilized, safe and most importantly...happy and empowered.
The service you offer is truly amazing.
Thank you!! Thank you!! Thank you!!
Warm Regards,
Lisa and Don Johnson
Flower Mound, TX |
Letter of Appreciation
February 24, 2006
Cheryl,
"I don't know what I would have done without Melinda's help. She is truly a loving, caring person who gives unstintingly of her time. I will never be able to adequately express my sincere appreciation and thanks for all she has done and continues to do on my father's behalf."
Sincerely,
Christine B.
Wilmington, DE |
Letter of Appreciation
February 12, 2007
"My sister was a retired schoolteacher for the Dallas Independent School District and had planned well for her retirement. Unfortunately, her physical health declined and it became necessary for her to have assistance in her daily routine. A licensed caregiver company was employed to provide this care.
Upon a routine visit by a supervisor of the company an order list was discovered for one of the caregivers. It was a very expensive list and the supervisor became suspicious. Michelle Osentowski, a social worker who had recently done work for the company, was called in to investigate as a disinterested third party.
Michelle discovered my sister had been financially wiped out and had a credit card debt of over $50,000.00, checks had been forged and a house had been bought with my sister's name on the deed.
I live over five hundred miles from Dallas and was unable to travel to Dallas to look into my sister's affairs. Michelle became my sister's advocate and actively pursued avenues of restitution. She worked tirelessly with the police and District Attorney's office trying to bring charges against the caregiver. They investigated but brought no charges because my sister was unable to testify effectively against the caregiver.
Michelle was instrumental in moving my sister to a wonderful Nursing Home and continued to visit and attend to her needs until her death. She knew what needed to be done, handled all paper work, applied for available benefits and virtually became an extension of our family in the caring of my sister.
Words fail to define the dedication of Michele to my sister and I am certain to all of her clients. I am confident no one could do a better job.
"
Sincerely,
Martha S.
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