Home repairs, maintenance, upkeep, and modifications help older adults live in their homes for as long as possible. Modifying an older adult’s home not only makes it safer, but reduces fall risks, prevents accidents, and increases one’s independence.
Some are familiar with my role as a geriatric care manager – but many still ask, “What is it that you do?” My vocation is working with older adults who have limited-to-no local family or support. As a result, I advocate on behalf of the senior, but also oversee most all aspects of his/her life.
While I don’t do any home repairs myself, my position as geriatric care manager requires that I constantly assess the older adult’s home environment. I scan the home not only for safety but consider if there are home modifications that could be put in place to make the house more accommodating to the older adult’s needs.
Since home maintenance falls under my job description, it’s imperative that I have a trusted pool of resources to pull from to meet the older adult’s needs. In an effort to keep clients safe and living at home, I’ve called on various professionals ranging from oven repair, HVAC installation, putting in security gates, and, as pictured, plumbers. I work with trusted and vetted third party contractors.
As a geriatric care manager, I’m also knowledgeable of various organizations that offer home repair assistance for older adults. The scope of my practice requires that I am familiar with a wide array of resources to better help older adults.
As mentioned, I don’t do the handy work myself, but maintaining a safe living environment is an equally important part of my job as tracking one’s health. While certain medical conditions make aging in place no longer an option, there are many benefits for those able to age at home. Staying at home preserves one’s independence. Aging in place allows the older adult to maintain a sense of control over his/her daily routine, thus preserving a sense of autonomy. The ability to manage one’s life plays a significant role in his/her emotional well-being and empowers the older adult to live life on his/her terms.
Also, we mustn’t overlook the significance of the home itself. Home is a place full of cherished memories and familiar surroundings. If I can pull from my Rolodex of service providers to keep an older adult safely at home, I’m on it!
To address the frequently asked question of, “What is it you do?” The answer is: there’s not much I don’t do. My job as a geriatric care manager is always evolving to meet the increasing needs of my clients.