Geriatric Care Managers

Geriatric care managers spend a significant amount of time with their clients, both in their homes and in nursing facilities. The quality of these environments can range from pleasant to disturbing, depending on the condition of the client. Typically, however, managers work in quiet, indoor environments. Managers frequently need to communicate with other professionals while coordinating a client's medical, legal, and everyday needs, so much telephone work is involved. Depending on the size of the business or organization, managers may supervise and help out with the work of others. Schedules may be quite busy one day with unexpected emergencies, such as a client falling and going to the hospital, and quiet the next day with recordkeeping, phone calls, and paperwork. Many geriatric care managers are on call, available to their clients at all times for sudden needs.

This line of work can be emotionally challenging. A successful geriatric care manager will need to be able to handle anger, grief, frustration, and confusion. Conflict and stress can also occur, as care managers have to defend the rights of their clients, sometimes against the wishes of the clients' families and friends.