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What Does a Care Manager Do? A Common Question!

Karen McPhail, RN, MSN, CDP

Sep 20, 2019
3 min

What Does a Care Manager Do? A Common Question!

I had to provide clarification several times to an attorney this week on my role in managing client needs. Care Management can be a little confusing or even fuzzy at times as we are professionals with a broad area of coverage and expertise. So it is common for individuals to ask me often what exactly a Care Manager does over the course of a day. My day is always different! However, that being said I wanted to give an overview of a typical day for me at work... 5:46 am Receiv

Creative Options for Aging in Place

Karen McPhail, RN, MSN, CDP

Sep 8, 2019
5 min

Creative Options for Aging in Place

Due to the high cost of care and retirement communities many older adults are opting to age in place for as long as possible! Aging in place is a viable option under the right conditions and if done properly it has many obvious positives. However, living potentially alone and lacking socialization is often a downside. So how can one balance cost, preferences, and have some daily socialization support? Remember the Golden Girls? Well many older adults are now following in

The Need for Education and Understanding of End of Life and Comfort Care

Karen McPhail, RN, MSN, CDP

Aug 24, 2019
6 min

The Need for Education and Understanding of End of Life and Comfort Care

As many of you know, I usually write about the events of my week and this week I feel the need to express my thoughts on end of life care. I find that in many care communities individuals do not have a clear understanding or grasp of how to effectively manage individuals at the end of their life. Even with hospice in place care community and private duty staff members often do not understand and respond to terminal agitation and discomfort in the correct or appropriate manne

Lewy Body Dementia - Frequently Missed and Under Diagnosed

Karen McPhail, RN, MSN, CDP

Aug 10, 2019
3 min

Lewy Body Dementia - Frequently Missed and Under Diagnosed

Happy Friday! As usual, I am blogging about what I have experienced throughout my week! Lately I have had several new patients with undiagnosed Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). I am finding that LBD is sadly often misdiagnosed, missed, or mismanaged in the healthcare community. Many health care providers sadly do not even understand the disease process or proper care considerations. Education is key in this area and why I try to provide frequent community education programs for

Power of Attorney's and Guardianships

Karen McPhail, RN, MSN, CDP

Aug 5, 2019
4 min

Power of Attorney's and Guardianships

As many of you know, I generally blog about what I have experienced during the course of my week. This week is about Guardianships and Power of Attorney's. To me, a Durable Medical and Financial Power of Attorney IS vital and the most important legal documents, as everyone needs to have these in place outlining their expressed wishes. It is therefore always surprising to me how many individuals do not have a valid medical and financial power of attorney in place. Seeking g

Care Management a Benefit for Children With Complex Care Needs

Karen McPhail, RN, MSN

Dec 28, 2018
2 min

Care Management a Benefit for Children With Complex Care Needs

It is well known that Care Management can significantly impact overall quality, outcomes, and cost for those with chronic or complex conditions at any age. Studies indicate however that children with the following conditions especially benefit from care management services: Asthma ADHD Lupus Transplant (renal, liver, small bowel, heart, lung, pancreas) Major Depressive Disorder, anxiety and other mental health disorders Transgender and intersex health Epilepsy Chronic kidney

Can a Care Manager Really Help Me?

Karen McPhail, RN, MSN

Dec 17, 2018
2 min

Can a Care Manager Really Help Me?

No matter what your age or situation may be a care manager can make things easier! Whether your family member has complex care needs, is resistant to care, needs to find the right assisted living community, needs an advocate, has memory impairment or behavioral issues, is having coordination of care issues or problems accessing care, or is having difficulty with tasks such as maintaining their home or bill payment - a Care Manager can help to get all resolved in what will s

Local Outings to Beat the Summer Heat!

Karen McPhail, RN, MSN

Jul 13, 2018
2 min

Local Outings to Beat the Summer Heat!

The summer is a terrific time to vacation and enjoy the sun! However, once the July heat and humidity sets in, we are often struggling and desperate for some relief! We are fortunate that, even in the summer heat, there are endless activity options for seniors in the DC metro area! So approach the heat as an opportunity to try something new or encourage a loved one to do the same. Try some indoor classes such as water aerobics or enjoy a relaxing swim in a lap pool. Tai

Nursing Home Care Challenges

Karen McPhail, RN, MSN

Jul 9, 2018
2 min

Nursing Home Care Challenges

One of my clients shared with me a recent New York Times Article, "Its Almost Like A Ghost Town, Most Nursing Homes Overstated Staffing for Years". This article sadly does not provide any information that I am surprised about as a care manager. I work very hard to help my clients to live fully and avoid needing nursing home skilled care. I refer primarily to assisted living when possible and more recently I also like the options in many of the smaller personal care homes.

Care Management 2.0!

Karen McPhail, RN, MSN

Apr 24, 2017
1 min

Care Management 2.0!

Virtual Care Management I have many clients who need immediate answers, are in crisis, or would love to discuss client management or coordination of care face to face without having to coordinate and attend another meeting. Virtual Care Management is therefore something that I have started offering many clients. The advantage of this is that you can still have personal, face to face interactions that are often times really vital, but in a more convenient, cost effective, an