Care Manager
Born and raised in Houston surrounded by multiple family members in nursing, Jana’s orientation toward healthcare was strong and nurturing. As a lifelong learner, she has honed nursing skills and related technology to not only provide bedside care but also share her passion as an educator and community leader. She learned early in her career how to appreciate the diverse perspectives of both the care and business sides of healthcare and how to maximize effectiveness.
After nursing school at Houston Community College, she began her career obtaining a broad range of hands-on experience in the fields of pediatric oncology, rehab, orthopedics, dementia care, immunology and long-term care. She later added hospice operations, home health coordination and medical chart auditing to her list of accomplishments. Jana’s work as a nurse educator to patients and families in the field of immunology was a particularly fulfilling experience.
Jana has an associate degree in nursing from the Houston Community College and is credentialed as a registered nurse. While no case is exactly alike, a common goal among families is to learn to make better decisions for – and with – their loved ones. Jana’s approach is to provide important information that is meaningful and understandable to all. In addition, her collaborative management style with staff and professional colleagues fosters good outcomes and care for client and family alike.
According to the Aging Life Care® Association website, An Aging Life Care Professional, also known as a geriatric care manager, is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults. The Aging Life Care Professionals® is educated and experienced in any of several fields related to Aging Life Care / care management, including, but not limited to counseling, gerontology, mental health, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, or social work; with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.The Aging Life Care Professional assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential. The individual’s independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals are able to address a broad range of issues related to the well-being of their client. They also have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their communities.
Patients we accept include:
- Older adults with or without the support of nearby relatives.
- Older adults who need help with everyday tasks, but don't require nursing care.
- Patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
- Older adults struggling with complex medical needs.
Care Managers can be nurses, social workers, physical therapists, psychologists or other related professionals and are typically licensed in their specialty.
Our geriatric care management (GCM) services are private-pay. Medicare/insurance does not cover GCM services, and we do not accept Medicaid. Depending on individual policies, some long-term care (LTC) policies will cover the cost (in part or in whole) of GCM services. Please check with your LTC company regarding your policy prior to scheduling an appointment.
A care management client assessment is a comprehensive psychosocial tool that care managers utilize to evaluate an individual’s medical, emotional, mental and physical health in order to develop a coordinated plan to maximize overall health with aging.
Aging Life Care Association is the professional organization for professional care managers.
