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Correction
The following information was omitted from the March 1 seniors column on elder care. The Sun regrets the error.
The professional geriatric care manager might be a consultant in a private practice, like Sally Hedman, R.N., or may be connected to one of the social services agencies or a private home-care agency, such as Laurel Home Care or Lifespan, who provide geriatric care management services as well as in-home care, bill payment or other services.
The Council on Aging of Santa Clara County (COA) offers a variety of support services for older people, including a nurse/social worker team approach to case management.
For information about these and a variety of other services, call 408.
296.8290 or their information line, 800.510.2020. Blue Shield of California, 800.445.2520, has a free resource line staffed with geriatric care managers for its Medicare members. These consultants conduct assessments by phone, suggest appropriate local services, and answer questions about senior care. Older veterans can obtain case management services through the Palo Alto Veteran's Administration, 800.455.0057.
For Santa Clara County residents who prefer the do-it-yourself approach, Information and Referral Services Inc., 408.345.4532, is a good local resource. The Older Adult Resource Center in Cupertino, 650.988.7622, will conduct a rudimentary assessment by phone or in person, discuss eldercare issues and services and lend informational books and tapes.
The U.S. Administration on Aging provides Eldercare Locator at 800.677.1116. Anyone in the United States can call for the phone number of an area Agency on Aging and Information and Referral service for any county in the country.
Help is available online at www.extendedcare.com, which offers an online questionnaire assessment tool and lists local resources. At www.careguide.com, assistance in locating and paying for services is provided.
There are many choices for those who want to go the self-help route. Book stores and libraries have a variety of books and tapes on aging. How to Care for Aging Parents by Virginia Morris is a steady seller. The best way to make a start may still be to make an appointment with a social service agency or a private case-management professional.
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Sunnyvale, California Since 1994
