What does a geriatric care manager do?
Think of a geriatric care manager as the general contractor for an older or disabled adult's wellbeing. You would never build a house by texting the plumber, the electrician, and the roofer separately and hoping they meet in the middle. The same rule applies to aging or living with a serious disability — and that is what a geriatric care manager is trained to hold together.
- Assessment. A comprehensive evaluation across medical, cognitive, functional, safety, and psychosocial dimensions.
- Planning. A written care plan with priorities, next steps, and a clear division of labor for the family.
- Coordination. Keeping primary care, specialists, home care, pharmacy, therapy, and transportation aligned.
- Monitoring. Regular check-ins that catch subtle changes early — a new fall pattern, a medication side effect, a caregiver who quietly stopped showing up.
- Advocacy. Translating medical decisions into plain language and pushing back when a discharge plan doesn't add up.
- Family guidance. Moderating hard sibling conversations and being the neutral third party in the room — and much more.
What is a certified geriatric care manager?
A certified geriatric care manager is a trained professional — typically with a background in nursing, social work, gerontology, or a related human-services field — who has met the education and supervised-experience bar of a recognized certifying body such as the Aging Life Care Association. Certification signals ongoing continuing education and adherence to a professional code of ethics. It is not the same as being a home care aide, a placement agent, or a physician.
Signs it may be time to hire a geriatric care manager
Families call us at three moments, whether they are supporting an aging parent, an adult child with a disability, or another loved one in need:
The crisis. A fall, a hospitalization, a new diagnosis. You need someone in the room today, not next month.
The crossroads. Aging in place vs. assisted living. Selling the house. Adding a caregiver. Someone who has seen these decisions play out for hundreds of other families.
The distance. You live in another city — or another time zone — and cannot be there for every appointment. A geriatric care manager becomes your eyes, ears, and voice.
How much does a geriatric care manager cost?
Private geriatric care management is billed hourly and paid out-of-pocket. Total cost depends on complexity and the scope of the care plan — assessments, ongoing coordination, and crisis work each carry different time commitments. Because most of our work is done remotely, geography does not drive price.
We don't publish rates because engagements vary so much. The right next step is a free consultation — you can also read our geriatric care manager cost overview for how we structure engagements.
How to find a geriatric care manager
You have three practical options:
- Work with Alenta Service. We serve families across the United States — most coordination happens by phone, video, and secure messaging, so proximity isn't a requirement.
- Search the Aging Life Care Association directory for certified members in your region.
- Ask a trusted physician, elder-law attorney, or hospital discharge planner for a referral.
Private geriatric care manager vs. waiver-funded coordination
A private geriatric care manager is hired directly by the family and paid out-of-pocket. That is what most families outside Pennsylvania use, and it is available nationwide.
If your loved one qualifies for a Pennsylvania-based waiver, Alenta Service also provides waiver-funded service coordination across 14 PA counties at no cost to the participant. Same company, different funding path.
Geriatric care manager FAQ
What does a geriatric care manager do?
A geriatric care manager assesses an older or disabled adult's medical, cognitive, functional, safety, and psychosocial situation, builds a written care plan, coordinates the providers involved, monitors changes over time, advocates on the family's behalf, and translates hard medical decisions into plain language.
What is a certified geriatric care manager?
Certified geriatric care managers — often credentialed as Aging Life Care Professionals through the Aging Life Care Association — are trained professionals with clinical backgrounds in nursing, social work, gerontology, or related fields. Certification signals ongoing continuing education and adherence to a professional code of ethics.
How much does a geriatric care manager cost?
Private geriatric care management is billed hourly, and total cost depends on complexity and the scope of the care plan — not geography. We provide a custom quote after a free consultation. See our detailed cost overview for how engagements are typically structured.
Does Medicare or Medicaid pay for a geriatric care manager?
Medicare does not cover private geriatric care management, and most private long-term care policies don't either. Families in Pennsylvania who qualify for a state-based waiver may receive service coordination through Alenta Service at no cost to the participant; everyone else pays privately.
How do I find a geriatric care manager near me?
Alenta Service works with families nationwide — most of our coordination happens by phone, video, and secure messaging, so proximity isn't a requirement. You can also search the Aging Life Care Association directory for members in your region.
What's the difference between a geriatric care manager and a home care agency?
A home care agency provides hands-on personal care — bathing, dressing, meals, transportation. A geriatric care manager oversees the whole picture: they hire and supervise the agency, coordinate with doctors, and step in when the plan needs to change. When you don't yet have care in place, we help you find the right providers and get them started.
How do you become a geriatric care manager?
Most geriatric care managers hold a clinical or human-services degree (nursing, social work, gerontology, psychology) and gain years of direct experience with older or disabled adults before certifying through a body such as the Aging Life Care Association.
Ready to hand this to someone who does it for a living? Schedule a free consultation.