Care Manager
Lydia’s path through nursing and case management has woven together professional expertise and deep personal experience since 1990. This journey began with a refreshing shift from years of adolescent psychiatric nursing to embracing case management, which provided her the flexibility to raise a family and care for her mother, who valiantly faced vascular dementia until age 95. These experiences have honed her ability to navigate the intricacies of healthcare, fueling her dedication to advocating for her clients and their families with a blend of empathy and precision.
Lydia’s career is a testament to the synergy between lived experience and professional development. Early on, she embraced the evolving field of case management, contributing to the standardization of certification exams and expanding into specialized areas such as life care planning, legal nurse consulting, and catastrophic injury management. Her expertise, cultivated across hospital settings, remote telephonic, and field case management, is marked by versatility and a culturally sensitive approach, ensuring comprehensive, holistic care coordination.
At the core of Lydia’s practice is a commitment to thoroughly assess each client’s unique situation, advocate unwaveringly for their needs, and provide advice that empowers them toward enhanced healthcare outcomes. This holistic strategy includes ongoing learning to guarantee that clients and their families are supported, guided, and understood, enabling them to navigate their healthcare journey with confidence, dignity, and optimal quality of life.
Lydia’s spirit soars when forging connections, facilitating meaningful dialogue between clients, families, and healthcare systems, and championing collaborative and effective communication. Her goal is to empower each individual to make informed decisions, enhancing their quality of life and ensuring that every voice is heard and every concern meticulously addressed.
As a seasoned RN and Geriatric Care Manager, Lydia’s mission extends beyond the mechanics of care management; it’s about inspiring and empowering families through their unique narratives of love, challenge, and resilience. Her dedication culminates in crafting clear, compassionate, and comprehensive care plans that not only meet but surpass expectations, ensuring a legacy of empowered caregiving for every family she serves.
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.
