What Are the Responsibilities of Home Care Managers?

Home care managers are individuals who work in geriatric, social work, nursing and mental health industries. These individuals possess certain credentials which have given them the knowledge and experience necessary to determine patient needs and to ensure that these needs are met through the supervision of caregivers and with related support systems.

Assessment

• Many care managers are hired by family members, but their primary responsibility is to the patient. They put the needs of the patient before the support system. Home care managers assess clients and determine the extent to which the individual can function in their living environment. Managers inspect living environments and the patient to determine nutrition level and mental status. The safety of the home and medications is evaluated to determine potential hazards, drug interactions and misdosing. If a patient is capable of communicating, managers discuss values, preferences and desires of the patient in terms of their care and longevity.

Care Management

• Care managers are responsible for creating a care plan once the initial assessment has been completed. This plan is a well rounded picture of the best possible care that can be provided by the available caregivers with the financial and environmental limitations. Components of the care plan can include changes in medication, standardization of dosing and dosing schedule, drug administering plans, diet changes, implementation of physical therapy or exercise programs and improvements to the home for safety purposes.

Caregiver Oversight

• Care managers are responsible for interviewing existing caregivers and potential caregivers. They serve as a neutral third party, choosing caregivers who are willing and able to follow the provisions of the care plan. Care managers provide orientation and training to individuals who may want to be caregivers, but may lack the necessary skills. Care managers are responsible for supervising the patient and caregiver to determine if the care plan is being carried out and providing the expected outcomes. Home care managers can change the care plan or replace caregivers at any point.

Support System

• Care managers take the patient's support system into consideration. In many cases, family and neighbors are the individuals who are available to provide care and assistance to patients due to financial limitations. Care managers communicate openly and honestly with these individuals to ensure continued support and a specific standard of care. Care managers rely on the support network in order to complete medical paperwork, process insurance claims and maintain scheduled appointments. Doctors, nurses, lawyers, physical therapists and community agencies may become part of this support system on an as needed basis.