Handbook of Geriatric Care Management

ANNOTATION

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

This cutting-edge book on the management of geriatric care is designed to meet a growing area that expands across the continuum of healthcare. This is the essential reference for professionals working in the field. It gives healthcare delivery systems, private and public healthcare practitioners, business professionals, and schools of nursing, social work, and related healthcare fields the definitive book on geriatric care management. This book defines the work of the geriatric care manager and offers an overview of what geriatric care management is, defines duties and procedures, and specifies the organizations that employ a geriatric care manager. Guidelines for setting up a geriatric care management practice independently or as part of a larger healthcare delivery system or business are provided, and key elements for marketing the practice are supplied. Several case studies are also included.

FROM THE CRITICS

Doody Review Services

Reviewer: Sandy C. Burgener, PhD, MS, RNC (Indiana University School of Nursing)Description: This is a compilation of background information addressing business and clinical aspects of a geriatric care management (GCM) practice. An overview of GCM practice and future directions are included. Purpose: The purpose is to "help GCM's grow as professionals" while serving as a tool for development in the business world. The book is also intended as a practical guide for management of the clinical care inherent in GCM practices. The objectives are relevant and worthy, but in attempting to do almost too much, the authors have shortchanged some very important areas, most notably the clinical care aspects of GCM practice. Audience: The intended audience is professional care providers and business managers in the GCM field. It is most directly targeted to directors of GCM practices, in my judgment. The author appears to be an appropriate and credible resource on the management aspects of a GCM practice. Her clinical background is unknown. Features: There are three major sections, one devoted to the business aspects of GCM practice, the second addressing growth and management of GCM practices, and the third addressing clinical aspects of GCM practice. Case studies are used throughout to provide working examples of GCM practice and outcomes, which is a strength. Redundancy is a shortcoming, i.e., marketing aspects are found in three different chapters.Clinical aspects of GCM practice are suppported by few, rather old, non-research-based references that are not particularly helpful. Some complex issues (i.e., ethical dilemmas) are oversimplified and are not based on current knowledge in these areas. Assessment: This is the first book I have read addressing the particular topic of GCM practice, which is one of the strengths of this publication. Overall, however, the book attempts to do too much and in doing so, oversimplifies some very complex care issues (ethical dilemmas and dementia and the older adult). Some chapters have very few references (7-9 on average; the chapter on dementia has 14 although there is large body of literature on this area) and most references are not research-based, which is more of an issue in the chapters on clinical care. In attempting to describe various aspects of care (i.e., dementia), the authors have provided global generalizations when more specific, data-based knowledge and recommendations are available. The book would have benefited from focusing on either the clinical or business aspects of GCM practice and taking a thorough, knowledge-based approach.

Booknews

Fifteen chapters overview what geriatric care management is, and define the duties and procedures of a geriatric care manager. The book begins with guidelines for setting up a geriatric care management practice independently or as part of a larger health care delivery system, and suggestions for marketing a geriatric care practice. It then discusses the clinical aspects of working with families, geriatric assessment, dementia, depression, and incorporating a spiritual perspective into geriatric care management. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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