The Importance of a Letter of Competency

Aging Life Care / geriatric care management is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for older adults or others facing ongoing health challenges. What is an Aging Life Care Professional? An Aging Life Care Professional, also known as a geriatric care manager, is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults. The Aging Life Care Professional is educated and experienced in any of several fields related to aging life care / care management, including, but not limited to gerontology, nursing, social work, psychology or occupational therapy. The Aging Life Care Professional assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential. The individuals independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality and availability of resources in their communities. Aging Life Care Professionals are members of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) and differ from Patient Advocates, Senior Advisors, Senior Navigators and Elder Advocates. ALCA members must meet the stringent education, experience and certification requirements of the organization, and all members are required to adhere to a strict code of ethics and standards of practice. What Services do Aging Life Care Professionals Provide? Aging Life Care Professionals provide guidance to help families ensure quality care and an optimal life for those they love through: Assessment and monitoring Planning and problem-solving Education and advocacy Family caregiver coaching Long-distance caregiving Aging Life Care Professionals are engaged to assist in a variety of areas, such as: Housing helping families evaluate and select the appropriate level of housing or residential options. Home care services determining the types of services that are right for a client and assisting the family to engage and monitor those services. Medical management attending doctor appointments; facilitating communication between doctor, client and family; and if appropriate, monitoring clients adherence to medical orders and instructions. Communication keeping family members and professionals informed as to the well-being and changing needs of the client. Social activities providing opportunities for the client to engage in social, recreational or cultural activities that enrich quality of life. Legal referring to or consulting with an elder law attorney; providing expert opinions for courts in determining level of care. Financial may include reviewing or overseeing bill paying or consulting with an accountant or clients Power of Attorney. Entitlements providing information on Federal and state entitlements; connecting families to local programs. Safety and security monitoring the client at home; recommending technologies to add to security or safety; observing changes and potential risks of exploitation or abuse. Long-distance care coordinating the care of a loved one for families that live at a distance, including crisis management. Local, cost-effective resources are identified and engaged as needed. A care plan tailored for each individuals circumstances is prepared after a comprehensive assessment. How do you know that you need an Aging Life Care Professional? You may need an Aging Life Care Professional if: The person you are caring for has limited or no family support. Your family has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction about available services. The person you are caring for has multiple medical or psychological issues. The person you are caring for is unable to live safely in his/her current environment. Your family is either burned out or confused about care solutions. Your family has limited time and/or expertise in dealing with your loved ones chronic care needs. Your family is at odds regarding care decisions. The person you are caring for is confused about his/her own financial and/or legal situation. Your family needs education and/or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with dementia. You live at a distance from your loved one. Contact Elder Maze Solutions, an Aging Life Care provider, to learn more.

What is Aging Life Care?Aging Life Care management is a holistic, client-centered approach to planning with and caring for aging adults, dependent adults, or others facing ongoing health or disability challenges. As experts in aging well, Aging Life Care Managers help older adults navigate the challenges of aging and make positive, informed decisions and plans. Their guidance leads people to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for themselves or those they love, thus reducing worry, stress, and time off of work for family caregivers through:Assessment and monitoringPlanning and problem-solvingEducation and advocacyFamily caregiver coachingAging Life Care Professionals - The Experts in Aging WellThe expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals can be summarized into eight knowledge areas. Lets take a closer look:Health and Disability. From physical problems to mental health and dementia-related problems, Aging Life Care Managers interact with the health care system effectively and frequently. Aging Life Care Professionals attend doctor appointments and facilitate communication between doctor, client, and family. These professionals help determine types of services such as home health and hospice that are right for a client and assist in engaging and monitoring those services.Financial. Services may include reviewing or overseeing bill paying or consulting with a clients accountant or Power of Attorney. Aging Life Care Professionals provide information on Federal and state entitlements, connecting families to local programs when appropriate. They also help clients and families with insurance concerns, claims, and applications.Housing. Aging Life Care Professionals help families and clients evaluate and select appropriate level of housing or residential options.Families. Aging Life Care Professionals help families adjust, cope and problem-solve around long-distance and in-home caregiving, addressing care concerns, internal conflicts and differences of opinion about long-term care planning.Local Resources. Aging Life Care Professionals know the specifics of the local resources in their communities and know how services are accessed.Advocacy. Aging Life Care Professionals are strong and effective advocates for clients and their families, promoting the clients wishes with health care and other providers, ensuring that clients needs are being adequately addressed.Legal. Aging Life Care Professionals refer to legal experts, like elder law attorneys, estate planners, and Powers of Attorney. Some Aging Life Care Professionals provide expert opinion for courts in determining level of care and establishing client needs.Crisis Intervention. Aging Life Care Professionals offer crisis intervention when it is needed, helping clients navigate through emergency departments and hospitalizations, rehabilitation stays, and ensuring that adequate care is available to the client. For families that live at a distance, this can be a much-needed 24/7 emergency contact.Local, cost-effective resources are identified and engaged as needed.A care plan tailored for each individuals circumstances is prepared after a comprehensive assessment. The plan may be modified, in consultation with client and family, as circumstances change.What is an Aging Life Care Professional?An Aging Life Care Professional is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults. The Aging Life Care Professional is educated and experienced in any of several fields related to Aging Life Care management, including, but not limited to counseling, gerontology, mental health, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, or social work; with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.The Aging Life Care Professional assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential.  The individuals independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals are able to address a broad range of issues related to the well-being of their client. They also have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their communities.Aging Life Care Professionals become the coach and families or clients the team captain. Search for an Aging Life Care Professional near you.Aging Life Care Professionals are members of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) and differ from Patient Advocates, Senior Advisors, Senior Navigators, and Elder Advocates. ALCA members must meet stringent education, experience, and certification requirements of the organization, and all members are required to adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. For more information on membership requirements, please click here.What other services do Aging Life Care Professionals provide?While the majority of Aging Life Care clients are older adults, many also assist younger adults who face the challenges of disability or serious illness.Aging Life Care Professionals may help people who have:Physical DisabilitiesDevelopmental Disabilities, (e.g. Intellectual Disabilities, Downs Syndrome, or Autism)Brain InjuryMental Health ProblemsChronic or Serious Illnesses of any typeAging Life Care Professionals can often help parents who are concerned about a young adult or middle-aged adult child with disabilities. These life care professionals have experience and credentials to work with all ages. The life care professional conducts a comprehensive assessment and helps the family plan for the current and future needs of their adult child.How Do You Know When You Need an Aging Life Care Professional?When caregiving for an aging family member becomes overwhelming, it may be time to contact an Aging Life Care Professional.You may need an Aging Life Care Professional if the person you are caring for:has multiple medical or psychological issuesis unable to live safely in their current environmentis not pleased with current care providers and requires advocacyis confused about their own financial and/or legal situationhas limited or no family supportOr if your family:has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction about available servicesis either burned out or confused about care solutionshas limited time and/or expertise in dealing with the individuals chronic care needs and does not live close byis at odds regarding care decisionsneeds education and/or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with dementiaIf you are looking for an Aging Life Care Professional in your area this website includes a searchable directory of our members.Back to TopWhat are the benefits of using an Aging Life Care Professional?Aging Life Care services are offered in a variety of settings. Professionals can serve the needs of their clients by providing:Personalized and compassionate service focusing on the individuals wants and needs.Accessibility care is typically available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Continuity of care communications are coordinated between family members, doctors and other professionals, and service providers.Cost containment inappropriate placements, duplication of services, and unnecessary hospitalizations are avoided.Quality control Aging Life Care services follow ALCAs Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

 Right at Home of Grand Junction Named 2025 In-Home Care Provider of Choice Right at Home of Grand Junction, CO received the 2025 Best of Home Care Provider of Choice Award from Activated Insights, formerly Home Care Pulse, an independent satisfaction research firm for post-acute care. Right at Home of Grand Junction has earned the award for the 5th time. Right at Home of Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs provides in-home care and assistance for seniors and adults with disabilities who want to continue living independently in their homes. Owners Dave and Meshelle McKendry are honored to receive this award. They joined the Right at Home network in 2017 and are grateful to be involved in the local community and provide much-needed support and peace of mind to families and aging loved ones.We are proudly fulfilling our mission! By delivering exceptional care, we are making a meaningful difference in our community. This dedication is why we chose this path."The Right at Home franchisor team partners with Activated Insights to gather comments from clients and caregivers of Right at Home locally owned franchise offices. Because Activated Insights is a third-party company, it is able to collect unbiased feedback via live phone interviews. The Provider of Choice Award assures consumers that Right at Home of Grand Junction is among a select few home care providers across the country that have proven their ability to provide outstanding care. The Right at Home franchisor team is thrilled to learn that Right at Home of Grand Junction has received the Provider of Choice Award, said Margaret Haynes, President and CEO of Right at Home. This prestigious Best of Home Care Award highlights the commitment of the dedicated team at Right at Home of Grand Junction to improve the quality of life for families in the local community. Right at Home had 252 local offices receive 2025 Best of Home Care Awards, topping four of the five award categories. Right at Home ranked No. 1 for Provider of Choice, Employer of Choice, Leader in Experience, and Leader in Training, and No. 2 for Top 100 Leader in Experience. To learn more about Right at Home of Grand Junction and Glenwood Springs commitment to excellence, please visit www.gjhomecare.com or phone 970.697.1331 Email: care@gjhomecare.com ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME OF GRAND JUNCTION/GLENWOOD SPRINGS:The office of Right at Home is a locally owned and operated franchise office of Right at Home, LLC, serving the communities of Mesa, Pitkin, Garfield and Eagle.  ABOUT RIGHT AT HOME:Founded in 1995, Right at Home offers in-home care to seniors and adults with disabilities who want to live independently. Most Right at Home offices are independently owned and operated and directly employ and supervise all caregiving staff. Each caregiver is thoroughly screened, trained, and bonded/insured before entering a clients home. Right at Homes global office is based in Omaha, Nebraska, with more than 700 franchise locations in the U.S. and five other countries. For more information about Right at Home, visit rightathome.net or read the Right at Home blog at rightathome.net/blog. ABOUT ACTIVATED INSIGHTS:Activated Insights enables long-term care and post-acute care providers to optimize every interaction with employees and clients. By offering comprehensive capabilities in recruitment, training, retention, and experience management, we enable organizations to enhance care quality and boost employee engagement. Our data-driven approach, including industry benchmarking and recognition programs, helps providers improve satisfaction, reduce turnover, and achieve operational excellence. Activated Insights is dedicated to elevating the care experience across the continuum of home-based care, senior living, to post-acute care. For more information, visit: https://activatedinsights.com/.