What do you do if you're a case manager specializing in working with the elderly or children?

Educate yourself on the signs of elder abuse and neglect. Educate yourself on all of the appropriate community resources for the elderly in your area.

As a case manager for the elderly or children, you assess needs, create and implement care plans, connect clients with resources, advocate for their rights, monitor progress, support families, and handle crises.

Educate myself on local, statewide, and national resources, try to be competent in their culture, and respect their norms and tradition. Educate my Consumers on how to maintain their independency that best match their needs, how to seek for resources, make sure they understand their rights and continue to show respect to their wishes / decisions. Not only tell them but show them how to get these services. I lay out as much information, and they are free to choose what resources they want. With the children, who are my heart, I want them to always know they are important and that they feel special for just who they are. That I am here to listen to them.

You need to be particularly aware of adult or child protection legislation, procedures and policies. A Care Act or Childrens Act assessment must be carried out to ascertain need. A risk and hazard assessment is also critical. You must listen to the needs and wishes of the client in order to produce a client centred assessment.

From a nursing standpoint, I have to understand both are vulnerable. I must be a good listener and gain trust. I must look for different cues in their words and actions. Often observing one's physical appearance , whether suddenly disheveled appearance or sudden weight loss. Encourage independence by giving choices which gives a sense of control. Not complete control, but a say in how to live their life. Keeping their best interest at heart. But by all means, say what you mean and mean what you say.

It is essential to consider the voice of the child at the centre of any work you complete with them. It is important to recognise the importance of working in partnership with partner agencies and not in isolation. This is to ensure that there is a holistic, inclusive but most importantly joint work so that the child’s welfare will continue to be paramount.

Effective case management begins with assessing clients' needs, strengths, and limitations, but often with limited initial information. Case managers can’t fully gauge the home situation, and for many patients, this may be their first encounter with a loss of independence, creating an overwhelming search for a safe discharge plan. For patients suitable for home care, selecting the right home health company is essential. A reputable provider conducts in-home evaluations to accurately assess a patient’s activities of daily living (ADLs). Home health is often underutilized and should be more of a key focus for patients who qualify.

In my experience, there is an endless stream of people offering services in healthcare settings, which can be disruptive. However, this interaction is crucial for a Case Manager's growth. In my previous role as a CM leader, we designated a specific day for 15-30 minute informal in-services, enhancing conversations for both CMs and service providers. I facilitated these sessions, ensuring the information presented was relevant and useful to CMs' daily work. Despite the busyness of case management, gathering resources and tools made the job easier and more satisfying for CMs and patients. These connections enabled us to provide comprehensive care and advocate effectively for clients.

I completely agree that strong communication skills are vital in case management. Clear, compassionate explanations help demystify complex information for clients and their families, fostering understanding and trust. With 75% of a Case Manager's day spent communicating with all parties involved, effective communication is essential. Leadership plays a crucial role in simplifying and streamlining other aspects of the job. Without this support, Case Managers can get bogged down in paperwork or other assigned duties, losing focus on what matters: to send texts, make calls, answer emails, or update patients and families at bedside. Seamless communication ensures both client satisfaction and efficient care. Always advocate for your staff!