By Hannah Miller, RBT, Care Management Associate/Behavioral Analyst
May is Aging Life Care Month, a time to recognize the importance of expert guidance when life becomes complex.
The Option Group’s Certified Aging Life Care Managers understand the challenges of caring for individuals who need assistance throughout their lifespan due to aging, dementia, disability, or serious illness.
Our skilled providers possess over 100 years of combined experience navigating the healthcare maze and accessing hundreds of resources. We don’t just guide you, we help you reclaim time with your loved ones while making confident, informed decisions that lead to better care.
Life doesn’t always give you time to prepare; one day everything may seem fine, and the next you are faced with what seems like an impossible decision. For example, you live a substantial distance away from your parents. Your mom ends up in the hospital, but she’s the primary family caregiver for your dad. He suffers from chronic illnesses and requires daily assistance. Suddenly, you are left asking: What do I do now? How do you manage the crisis- and prevent the next one?
The Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) is the Gold Standard for finding a geriatric care manager to assist you with caring for your aging loved ones. Aging Life Care professionals are trained to navigate the overwhelming task of putting a sustainable plan into place, prioritizing safety, finances, independence, and dignity every step of the way.
The Aging Life Care Association is the national group with stringent membership standards, including a Professional Code of Ethics that must be followed to ensure Best Practices. Members are accepted into the Aging Life Care Association only after they have demonstrated their supervised work experience, have the prior education and mandatory experience necessary to apply for the membership, and have passed a rigorous national certification exam. They are also required to complete ongoing continuing education, so you always have an expert who stays current in an ever-changing system.
This expertise translates into real support for you, including:
- Understanding and assessing federal and state entitlements, including Veterans benefits,
- Answering insurance concerns to include whether they have the correct Medicare plan,
- Guiding housing decisions based on both care needs and financial
- Advocacy for your loved one,
- Connecting you to trusted, proven local resources without the guesswork
Aging Life Care Managers must have an educational background and experience in one of the following areas to apply to become a member:
- Nursing,
- Rehabilitation,
- Social work, therapist/counselor, and
- Psychologist.
Our mission is simple: to help you and your loved ones achieve the highest possible quality of life, no matter the circumstances. When you do not know what to do next, we do!
Caring for an aging loved one, especially someone living with dementia or complex medical needs, can be overwhelming. You do not have to navigate it alone.
Having an Aging Life Care Manager means having a knowledgeable partner who can step in, reduce stress, and help you return to being a family member instead of a full-time coordinator of care.
ALCA 8 Core Areas of Expertise
Aging Life Care members practice from a knowledge base of eight core areas of expertise. They are trained to provide guidance and direction for:
- Legal Matters – Guidance on Power of Attorney, Advance Directives, and coordination with elder law attorneys
- Crisis Intervention-Rapid response and coordination to stabilize difficult situations and prevent further issues
- Health and Disability– acting as a bridge between families and healthcare providers, ensuring clarity and continuity of care.
- Financial Matters – Oversight and coordination to avoid unnecessary costs and connect to the right programs.
- Housing-Helping families navigate complex housing decisions with confidence and clarity.
- Family Support-Problem-solving, education, and ongoing communication for families near and far.
- Local Resources-Access to vetted, reliable providers tailored to your needs.
- Advocacy-Ensuring your loved one’s voice, preferences, and best interests are always prioritized.
Not all case management is the same. While many agencies offer “case management”, Aging Life Care Managers provide certified, comprehensive Care Management backed by experience, ethics, and proven results.
The truth is, life transitions will come. The question is whether you will be prepared. By choosing an Aging Life Care professional, you are taking a practice step toward stability, clarity, and the best possible outcomes for your loved one.
For more information, contact The Option Group or the Aging Life Association Mid-Atlantic Chapter.
If you or someone you care about needs additional support to help cope, The Option Group is here to help. Don’t hesitate to contact our professional care management team for assistance.
About The Option Group: Founded in 2011, The Option Group’s compassionate team of experienced Certified Life Care Managers provide services for families, their loved ones, medical professionals, and professional family advisors in Maryland, DC, Southern Pennsylvania, and Delaware. The firm understands the challenges of caring for individuals who need assistance throughout their lifespan due to aging, dementia, disability, or serious illness. Our skilled providers possess over 100 years of combined experience navigating the healthcare maze and accessing hundreds of resources. The Option Group helps families spend quality time with their loved ones, providing clear choices that lead to better care. For more information, visit www.theoptiongroup.net or call 410-667-0266 (MD) or 717-287-9900 / 610-885-8899/ 215-896-6756 (PA) / or 302-858-6449 (DE).