What is the best way to find a Geriatric Care Manager? Our family could use someone to manage my mom’s doctor visits.

If you 'just' need someone to accompanying to appointments, a caregiver does this level of work. It depends on the services needed,

I am not officially licensed or accredited by any organization / association to offer geriatric case management per se. I am a certified massage therapist through the State of California and have a B.A. degree (and much more trainings, esp in counseling techniques.)

I used my skills and education, and developed more skills (i.e., studied dementia with Teepa Snow on-line webinars for close to two years). In addition, I offer research and organizational management, and many more services such as assisting with acquiring a DMV placard or passport.

I am in a unique position and describe myself as offering elder care management services. I do not know what is required to be licensed or certified or credentialed by an organization to be a geriatric case manager. You do not need this level of education to offer rides / transportation to appointments.

There are organizations such as Villages (where I live, its called Marin Villages). They are volunteers who offer elders a variety of services, including transportation.

I have a B.A. degree specializing in [abnormal] psychology and did an internship at San Francisco Suicide Prevention, both on their crisis lines and offering home visits to at risk elders (for two years). And, I've done decades of inner work on myself psychologically, spiritually, emotionally. I have lots of varied life experience / education; I was on an MFCC-psychotherapist track, although I didn't get licensed.

I recommend:

1- Contact college department heads: Nursing, geriatrics, social work and let them know your needs.

2 - Ask hospital social worker

3 - Depends on what 'certification' you want the person to have.
ALWAYS ALWAYS check references (both professional work and personal)

4 - Ask these types of questions "what would you do in this situation xxx" and see how they respond. Can they think on the spot? contact the appropriate persons in emergencies, i.e., 911, you? family?

5 - Ask your neighbors, church, networks. You may 'not' need an officially licenced geriatric case manager; you might find someone like me who has the skills you need.

Do create a sheet of questions that you ask everyone so you can compare.

I had to do the following to be vetted at a senior residential community:

1. criminal check (fingerprinting) at my own expense. With the government as it is now, I wouldn't necessarily recommend. You never know what list a person gets on nor for what reason.
--- Criminal records may be public records. I would check if I were you.
2. Require a copy of car insurance
3. I had to get TB tested every year.
4. Perhaps ask for Covid history / vacines.
5. Provide work and persona references.
6. Make a copy of their DL.
7. When you hire, create a contract and keep accurate records.
Offer on a trial bases for a month or so and see how it goes.

Ideally, the person you hire needs to be - or should be - accountable to someone / family member living in the area of the person needing the services, or I would strongly recommend. It would be difficult to go through an intake / hiring procedure long distance. You cannot leave this to a 93 year old person.
You might be able to relay on college department heads to provide reference(s).

Gena / Touch Matters

My Mom's doctor in Connecticut treated so many geriatric patients that his nurse was also a case manager. She kept me informed about my Mom's appointments, made sure that the specialists gave the PCP treatment notes and recommendations, and helped refer my Mom to a pharmacy that would do pill packets and deliver her meds. We hired someone to go with her to medical appointments. She was in Assisted Living and they had a van that took people to medical appointments two days weekly. Mom just had to sign up for the van ahead of time.

Lunarshine: Speak to a social worker.

One of these websites is more robust in choices depending on where she is located.
https://www.aginglifecare.org//
https://www.nahac.com/find-an-advocate#!directory/map

How to Find a Geriatric Care Manager
A geriatric care manager (also called an Aging Life Care Professional) can help older adults and their families coordinate care, manage medical needs, and plan for the future. Here are the best ways to find one:
1. Use the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) Directory
This is the professional organization for geriatric care managers.
- Visit www.aginglifecare.org
- Click on “Find an Aging Life Care Expert”
- Enter your ZIP code to see a list of nearby professionals
- You can filter by services offered and credentials
2. Ask Trusted Professionals
- Primary care doctors, social workers, or elder law attorneys often know reputable care managers.
- Local hospital discharge planners or home health agencies may also have referrals.
3. Contact the Area Agency on Aging
They may know of local care managers or nonprofit services that offer similar support.
- In California, call 1-800-510-2020 to be automatically connected to your county’s Area Agency on Aging.
4. Check Reviews and Credentials
- Look for someone who is a member of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA)
- Ask about experience with your loved one's specific needs (e.g., dementia, chronic illness, housing transitions)

I hope this helps you get started.

Let us know the general vicinity of your mom -- maybe one of us will be able to provide useful suggestions. :-)

The loved one's POA could get a login on the provider's online portal to keep informed on the doctor visits. That way the companion would only need to notify them that an appointment had taken place.

Thank you!

Go to the Aging Life Care Association
https://www.aginglifecare.org/
Click on the orange button that says "Find an Aging Life Care Expert"