A Care Manager is a professional who is duly trained and experienced in the assessment, coordination, monitoring, and direct delivery of services to the frail, elderly, disabled and their families. CareSource has several trained Care Managers on staff (see About Us).  Each care manager carries a "caseload" of several clients (ranging between 15 and 25) and manages each client's case individually with the support of the rest of our staff. The initial assessment is generally completed by one of the company Directors. A Care Manager is then matched to the individual based on the client's specific needs, preferences and geographic location.

In-home Assessments and Ongoing Care Management
Assessments can be completed in either the private home or facility and are normally made within three days of the initial referral.

In order to complete an individual assessment of the client's needs and prepare a plan of care, we will:

• Complete an individual assessment of the client's needs
• Screen the client for depression, cognitive impairments and general capacity levels (physical, mental and spiritual)
• Assess the home environment for safety
• Make recommendations as needed

Upon completion of the assessment, we will review our findings and recommendations with the requesting party and, if desired, supply a list of referrals and resources.

Should you desire our assistance with implementing our  recommendations, a contract for our services would then be executed. Some of the services we can complete and/or coordinate are:

• Prepare a written plan of care
• Implement and oversee personal care services
• Arrange for and supervise medical treatment
• Implement and direct social services
• Arrange for and implement changes in residential placement
• Arrange for and supervise quality care and Home Health Services

Some direct services that we do not offer but can coordinate are:

• Medical Alert System
• Purchase or Rental of Medical Equipment
• Short-term Medicare Home Health Services
• Long-term Private Home Health Services
• Meal Delivery
• Outpatient or In-home Therapies (Physical, Occupational, Respiratory and Speech)
• Transportation
• Adult Day Care
• Individual Counseling by a trained therapist
• Assessment for Hospice Services
• Housekeeping Services

Home Visits
Our Care Managers visit clients in their homes, whether they are private dwellings or institutions. They identify any services the client needs and supervise any caregivers rendering assistance to the client.

During the visit, the Care Manager will complete a professional observation as to the client's changing abilities, environmental safety and additional needs. Our Care Managers document their case notes and then enter them into our computerized case management program. A regular written report of these visits can be provided on a monthly basis to the agreed upon individual(s).

Home visits by our Care Managers also allow for assistance in getting through the mail, organizing appointments and coordinating other services such as transportation, shopping and medical appointments.

Should the client reside in an institution, the Care Manager will also review their chart and current needs with the facility staff. Our Care Managers are excellent advocates and will assure the client receives the proper and dignified treatment to which we are all entitled.

Placement Assistance
Sometimes living at home is not the best option. Perhaps the client requires round-the-clock care but cannot afford the cost. (Costs in South Florida for private caregivers range from $140 - $315 per day.) Maybe the individual is highly social but unable to move comfortably about their home or neighborhood any longer. Possibly your loved one can be reclusive or is depressed and would benefit by the company of others with similar backgrounds. Regardless of the reason, moving into an assisted living facility (ALF,) group home or skilled nursing facility (SNF) takes a tremendous amount of coordination.

Fortunately, CareSource arranges and completes these types of moves all the time. We can help with decisions as to the best facilities, assist the client in touring the chosen locations and then coordinate the actual move. We can arrange for a short-term companion to help with the transition, supervise the packing, moving or liquidation of personal belongings and help to arrange for the transfer of medical records and any changes in medical providers, if necessary.

• Supervision of the packing and moving of personal belongings
• Emergency or non-emergency transportation
• Specialized air travel
• A companion to help with the travel
• Transfer of all medical records
• Opening or closing of the home for seasonal living
• Coordination of any other services needed

CareSource belongs to the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, the Florida State Guardianship Association, the American Association of Daily Money Managers and the National Guardianship Association and can arrange for a corollary member to assist with similar services in the new location.