I know a few weeks ago we were discussing this topic and now I cannot find it. I just fired our first one for "padding" his bill and I don'tknow if it's necessary or not. What say all of you more knowledgeable ones out there?
Can you share what the job description this person had and how he "padded" the bill with? Some of us are new to this and are not clear on what they do.. or are supposed to do?
http://www.caremanager.org/index.cfm You can find out all you need to know at this website.
The fellow who came to our house a couple of times did a "baseline" evaluation on my hubby, gathered casenotes from our various doctors (with our approval), and did some research on geriatric physicians in our area. He mostly asked questions and observed hubby's condition. He was very poor at feedback and following up with us with any useful information. He charged us $120/hour (seems to be the going rate) for a personal visit, travel to and fro, phone calls, emails, etc. On top of $120/hour for the travel back and forth to our house, he also charged us .55/mile for mileage (which I refused to pay). What I did is I recorded the moment he drove into our driveway and the moment he left, so I knew exactly how long he spent with us. We live about 1 hour from the metropolitan area so I granted him an hour coming and going; still he padded his hours and his mileage. I didn't pay him for the padded hours. I sent him a letter listing the proper time spent, refused to pay mileage and dismissed him.
They are supposed to be the patient's advocate and guide out there in the world of getting help and services. I don't know about you, but everything connected to this disease and hubby's care is overwhelming to me and a guide seemed like a smart thing to do - just not at this particular time in his progression. A baseline seemed like a practical thing to do, though. I think it's extremely easy for anyone to take advantage of the patient and caregiver in this circumstance, especially the elderly because this disease is so overwhelming and we need so much help and advice. It's big money and you should be very careful when hiring anyone like this.
I had a discussion with a case manager yesterday about her work and charges (not for me, but in general). She charges $75 for the initial evaluation, and then $60 per hour for any follow-up. I'm not sure about mileage, but she covers all of Hancock County, Maine, which is fairly large and mostly rural. She has just started work and is still getting to know the area and resources in it.
I have a geriatric care manager for AD spouse. Not all care managers have the same skill sets and you should interview a few before engaging one. I learned this the hard way. The first gcm charged $250.00 for the baseline evaluation (going rate here in NJ). She determined that it was unsafe for me to have DH at home and recommended placement in a dementia facility. Charged me $800.00 for her time in researching facilities and only recommended 1 facility (which was too far) who wouldn't take him anyway. I refused to pay her because she did not place him. The gcm we have now was instrumental in convincing drs to keep DH at home with a live-in aide. She was also very helpful when DH was in the hospital in representing our interests, challenging the doctors when appropriate, etc. This gcm charges $110.00/hour and $55.00/hour travel time. I accept the travel expense because it means when she is traveling to see us she is not seeing another client.
I, too, accept the travel time for the same reason. However, mine charged mileage in addition - over-kill if you ask me. My dh has just been diagnosed this year. Although, I see him failing rapidly this year in the memory dept and judgment dept - it's like living with an 80 year old toddler. I'm just not sure when it makes sense for us to engage a gcm for his care. At the rates they charge here, I'll be broke very quickl just paying them . I read on this subject just a few weeks ago that the Alz Assoc. provides most of the same services free. Free sounds real good to me as almost everything relating to AD costs way too much.
At one time I engaged a Geriatric Care Manager thinking that they had some "inside" information. Well, I found out all the same stuff on the internet. She was a nice lady but I felt like I knew as much as she did.....in her defense, she was used to working with much older clients and my husband was only 54 so his need was entirely different. I researched in home care, day care facilities and eventually found the AD home on my own and never needed to contact her again. Back in 2001 I was charged $85.00/hour and I think the charge was the same for travel time.
mothert, call your alz asso and find out what services they provide. Our local chapter will send me lists of facilities, elder law attorneys, but will not recommend or endorse anyone because they say they do not have the ability to evaluate the providers. When I asked for a refferal to a neurologist who specializes in dementia, the alz asso told me to contact the local hospital for a list. Our chapter basically provides the same info I get off the web. Sandi, some gcm's do have "inside" info depending on their experience and network. DH was 58 when dx'd and I have the same problems you did because of his age. Our current gcm identified some dementia facilities which had a younger, more functional client base with at least 4-6 males at the facility. We haven't needed to place DH yet but it was the "best" in terms of having a population more my husband's age and functionality. I would not have found it on my own. I guess it just depends on your specific needs.