Coaching Caregivers LLC
Member: Jim Ferry
Title: Founder/ President
Specialty: Geriatric Care Manager
Degreed: MSW
Licensed: LICSW
Established: 1993
P.O. Box 307
Deerfield, MA 01342
Areas Served: Western Massachusetts
Phone: 413-775-4570
Fax: 413-773-5926
Email: jim@coachingcaregivers.com
Website: http://coachingcaregivers.com
General Comments:
In addition to caregiver coaching and consultation I also provide geriatric care management services to elders in the four counties of western Massachusetts (Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire counties).
My interest in geriatric care management evolved from my work as a social worker and discharge planner in an acute rehabilitation hospital. As a social worker in a rehabilitation setting, I worked with numerous families struggling in crisis when their aging family member experienced what was often a life changing illness or injury. I found that many caregivers found the stress and strain of managing the resulting changes from the medical crisis overwhelming. This was particularly true for caregivers who lived at a distance and who had families and jobs of their own. While I had limited time to help patients and family members in the hospital setting, I clearly saw how many of these families would benefit from the assistance of a professional who could manage the care for the elderly person over the longer term. Particularly given the demands of providing and managing care and also learning new information necessary to make informed decisions. So while still working as a hospital social worker, I started my private care management practice.
The mission of geriatric care management services through Coaching Caregivers LLC is to assist caregivers in obtaining the objective information needed for good decision making around acquiring optimal resources and services. Secondly, to implement a plan of care and then provide the regular monitoring, advocacy and trouble-shooting required for the client to remain safe, healthy and enjoying as independent of a lifestyle as possible.
Professional Organizations/Affiliations:
- National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
Services:
Formulating and implementing a plan of care:
In collaboration with the client and the care circle (i.e., family members and others such as friends or other professionals close to the client) a short-term and longer term plan of care is formulated. A written version of the assessment findings and recommended care plan is available.
With my health care and social work background, I utilize my professional expertise to put the care plan in place. The typically involves the following activities:
- Consulting with physicians and other health care providers on the client's behalf.
- Making the arrangements for facility admissions, transfers, or discharges.
- Dealing with insurance companies for needed eligible services.
- Arranging for needed in-home evaluations, modifications, equipment and services.
- Arranging for comprehensive medical monitoring of frail clients.
- Acting as a surrogate in the absence of family or for long distance family caregivers.
Ongoing GCM role
- Once the plan of care has been in place my role turns more toward providing routine monitoring of the client. Performing client advocacy and ongoing problem solving to caregiving staff or with physicians and other health care providers is pretty regularly needed. I often attend care plan meetings for clients residing in nursing homes or assisted living facilities.
Office Policies:
My office is home-based so I typically meet clients and family members in their own homes or other residential settings such as an apartment in an assisted living facility or a nursing home. I do however have access to a private office where I can conduct meetings.
