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older adult, 
concerns about 
driving safety or 
a move to a safer 
environment, 
says Lynn Breuer, 
LMSW, CDP, who 
is senior director 
of community outreach and 
wellness at JFS. In such situ-
ations, a one-time consulta-
tion may be sufficient. 
In many cases, outside 
help is sought when there is 
a crisis — a fall or sudden 
illness requires hospitaliza-
tion, and the older adult isn’t 
able to return home alone 
safely. Tobias says that she 
can advise family members 

on how to “buy some time 
after discharge, maybe at a 
rehabilitation facility.”
When there is an urgent 
issue, Tobias will meet with 
individuals or families quick-
ly in person or on Zoom. 
Jewish Family Service has 
an ElderCare Solutions of 
Michigan service with a 24/7 
phone number staffed by 
social workers to help with 
immediate needs.
Whether their title is geri-
atric care manager, health 
care navigator, geriatric 
social worker or senior advo-
cate, these trained profes-
sionals help assess an older 
individual’s mental and phys-
ical health status and suggest 
options for housing and care. 
For example, Tobias will rec-
ommend a company that can 
make a house safer for senior 
adults who want to remain in 
their homes. 
Sometimes assistance is 
needed for daily living, such 
as bathing, medications and 
meal preparation. Caregivers 
or home health care aides are 
available through agencies 

and from personal referrals; 
geriatric care managers can 
help with options. Caregiver 
agency fees usually start at 
$25 per hour or more.
Individuals with dementia 
may need special assistance. 
Cognitive stimulation ther-
apy or cognitive training 
classes at JFS can help indi-
viduals with early or mod-
erate dementia, Gaydayenko 
says. 
Tobias, who is a certi-
fied dementia practitioner 
through the National 
Council of Certified 
Dementia Practitioners, 
points out that there are 
different kinds of dementia 
and a variety of interven-
tions. “Dementia is a family 
disease,” she says, which 
impacts more than just one 
family member.
Typically, an hourly fee is 
charged for geriatric consult-
ing and care management. 
According to Breuer, in the 
Detroit area, the fee is usu-
ally $110-$175. Long-term 
care insurance policies may 
cover some costs, although 

not all agencies and indi-
vidual practitioners accept 
insurance. Some individual 
practitioners may charge an 
upfront retainer as well as an 
hourly fee.
At Jewish Family Service, 
their JFS Elder Care 
Solutions Department pro-
vides three levels of service: 
one-time consultations, com-
prehensive assessments and 
ongoing case management 
that can include accompany-
ing older adults to medical 
appointments. Low-income 
individuals are eligible for 
some free services and subsi-
dies for additional care. The 
hourly rate for those who can 
afford the full cost is $110 
depending on the specific 
assistance provided. JFS also 
offers workshops and health 
coaching for older adults 
to help them manage their 
health and support groups 
for caregivers.
Tobias provides a free 
initial consultation, as do 
some other private senior 
care managers. Her return 
sessions cost $125, but she 
will adjust her fees based on 
the family’s income level and 
need. Tobias also speaks to 
groups about aging and care 
strategies.
Breuer points out that 
some older adults may not 
recognize that they need 
help. “They think that need-
ing help is a foreign concept 
that doesn’t apply to them. 
They also fear losing inde-
pendence, although taking 
help can help maintain inde-
pendence.” 

The overall goal, 
Gaydayenko says, is to deter-
mine “How do I keep my 
quality of life?” 

Senior Care Specialists 
Can Ease Life Transitions

RICHARD SAGREDO IZIERUIWJWO/UNSPLASH

How to Choose a 
Geriatric Care Manager or 
Senior Health Advocate

There are currently no standardized qualifications for 
professional senior care managers. Some are members 
of the Agency Life Care Association (AgingLifeCare.
org), which provides information about the field and 
professional development for practitioners. Breuer, who 
is active in this organization, recommends some criteria 
for choosing a senior care manager:
• Professional qualifications
• Areas of particular expertise, such as dementia
• After-hours capabilities
• Are they part of a team, preferably multi-disciplinary?
• Length of time in practice
• References
• Family communication policies
The care manager should be “person-centered with 
the clinical skills to assess your unique needs and sug-
gest services that can help improve quality of life. They 
can empower people to make decisions,” Breuer says.

Make your aging plan while 
you are still healthy .

Lynn 
Breuer