Geriatric Care Managers

You might find it informative to talk to your parents about the current and future needs of older relatives. These matters are best approached with some sensitivity, as you may encounter reluctance to discuss the topic. Being able to express empathy and compassion is another key characteristic of a successful geriatric care manager, so this is an important area to explore.

It is always valuable to talk to an experienced professional in the field you are considering. Your school's career services office, a local business directory, or the Aging Life Care Association may be able to provide you with leads in locating a geriatric care manager who would be willing to talk with you about the job.

You may also find value in speaking to professionals in related fields, such as lawyers in elder law, nurses and doctors in geriatric medicine, managers of nursing homes, physical therapists, and so forth.

An excellent way to explore this field is to volunteer at a geriatric program or facility. Working with the elderly can be very rewarding, and you will have the opportunity to talk directly with many older people. Being able to relate to those of a different generation is a key skill of this job.

You can also volunteer at a nursing home or extended care facility. This work can be more challenging, but it will afford you the opportunity to discover your ability to work with those with failing mental and physical capacities in the context of their living environment.