The Professional Geriatric Care Manager’s Blog

Getting to know ____a week in the life of a Geriatric Care Manager

As a Geriatric Care Manager I often reflect on my visits to my clients at the end of the week.  I am quite fond of all of them.  There are one or two who seem to dominate my thoughts at one time more than another and A is on my mind this week.  She is a wonderful 94 year old who has led an adventurous life and now feels tired and saddened by her aging.  Her family is present via photos, phone calls, and occassional visits for lunch at her home.  A is very quiet about her feelings, however she  nods her head at me when I identify what is visible to me.  She is always receptive to my visit but does not want the assistance of our geriatric counseler.  “I used to talk to someone years ago, but I did not find them helpful”. In spite of this A states “I know that I am very lucky to be living in my home and have such a wonderf ul family”.  I concur verbally and by nodding my head.  We smile and I wonder what A was like as a young woman.  How quickly time passes and steals youth away.  For A I imagine a beautiful blonde haired aristocratic demeanor with a sterness yet a softness in dealing with others.  I imagine that she knew how to get things done and probably did just that.  I will make a point to ask A more about herself, her life, and who she was.   Last week I told A that she was special and meant it.  I suspected that she does not think this about herself anymore.  It is important to me that I make certain that she knows it to be true once again.