What is a Personal Care Manager (PCM)?
When illness strikes, your family is suddenly faced with an overwhelming new reality. As aging becomes challenging, old tasks seem daunting. There are physical issues to deal with and emotional ones. There’s a new medical regime to follow. Ongoing specialist visits to face. Supplies and equipment may be required. At times, home modifications or help moving to an entirely new dwelling is needed. Many practical decisions and issues you must face can seem overwhelming ~ it can be stressful to keep all your responsibilities in order, especially while trying to cope with the new complications that illness brings. Registered Nurses are assigned to clients who desire case-managed care. These nurse case managers are able to be involved with patients and their families to coordinate their healthcare activities. The guidance and support they provide reduces the burden on families, allowing the family member to stay involved in a more meaningful and helpful way. Care Managers (PCMs) collaborate with the client’s physicians, hospitals and social agencies to leverage all resources available, including both public and private services, enhancing the level of care and quality of life. Clients with case managed care are also able to acquire medical equipment and supplies conveniently and at reduced prices.
Understanding your situation and having experience in determining options are paramount in being able to navigate through many issues that arise. This knowledge and efficiency comes from years of experience, practicing as a nurse to gain both social and medical expertise.
Your Personal Care Manager is capable of providing crisis intervention and is always able to provide support. With a PCM on your team, you have someone to turn to, who is compassionate and professional. You can count on individual attention, consistent care and at your request, the PCM will assume a role as your ’single point-of-contact’ to coordinate health care activities and manage the team providing care.
Personal Case Managers and caregivers are properly educated, caring people providing excellent care. They use a comprehensive evaluation and satisfaction measurement process for all caregivers on your team and consider all factors to understand the whole picture in order to set realistic and appropriate goals. Special care is focused and based on each patient’s unique circumstance.
The Personal Case Managers will help you save valuable time and energy by handling issues that arise. You can investigate options, overcome obstacles and coordinate the activities required.
Adapted from: http://www.qualicare.ca/rn-care-coordination-personal-care.aspx
Add comment January 14th, 2009
