What should caregivers in Rapid City know about the rate of elder abuse in the state?
One of your concerns when living away from your senior relative is that they may be susceptible to abuse. With nobody around to keep an eye on them, senior citizens can become victims of abuse, including neglect and financial fraud. Here are how many cases of elder abuse are reported in South Dakota, according to data:
As you can see, the number of reported cases is lower than expected. Most likely, many cases go unreported, as seniors are often afraid of speaking up. By having someone around to check up on them, they will feel less alone. A Rapid City care manager can watch out for signs of abuse and even protect your senior loved one from financial abuse by keeping an eye on transactions.
How do seniors in the U. S. and Rapid City feel about support for chronic conditions?
If your older loved one is struggling with a chronic medical condition, it can be hard for you to coordinate care when you are away. A lack of coordination can have a negative impact on your senior’s health. Here is what people with chronic conditions say about coordination of their health care issues and how it has impacted them:
An AARP survey of persons with chronic conditions found coordination of care issues
Feel that their health care providers did not communicate well with each other
Believe that this had had a negative impact on their health
Cite a lack of coordination in their care transitions
A care manager in Rapid City can step in to fill the gap when you are away. They can coordinate with different medical professionals, set up appointments, arrange transportation to those appointments, and make sure your senior’s concerns are being noted. They can also help procure the medications your aging loved one needs and ensure they are taking them on schedule.
How can I find a high-quality, compassionate geriatric care manager in Rapid City?
Finding a care manager in Rapid City can be overwhelming, but the peace of mind it will give you is invaluable. Not only can they coordinate medical care, but they can make an assessment of their physical and emotional health and discover issues that need to be addressed. If they do uncover issues, they can provide referrals and recommend medical professionals to save you time. They can also assess their home living situation and ensure they have a schedule that includes activities to keep them occupied. They can review legal issues your senior might be facing and provide counseling and advice to family members who are not experienced with caring for seniors.
Read our comprehensive guide on choosing a geriatric care manager for more information on when to hire a GCM and why you should do so.
Rapid City’s best geriatric care managers
If you worry that your senior is not taking care of themselves (for example, if they are neglecting to wash their clothes) or are not paying their bills on time, a GCM can step in and help. They can help your senior loved one age in place while maintaining their independence. Browse our free Rapid City geriatric care manager resources to get started.
