Frequently Asked Questions

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 individual’s 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.  

 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 Disabilities
• Developmental Disabilities, (e.g. Intellectual Disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, Autism, or Asperger’s Syndrome)
• Brain Injury
• Mental Health Problems
• Chronic or Serious Illnesses of any type

Aging Life Care Professionals can often help parents who are concerned about a young adult or middle-aged adult child with disabilities. 

These aging life care professionals have the experience and credentials to work with all ages. The aging life care professional conducts an initial consultation with the option to provide a comprehensive assessment to help the family plan for the current and future needs of their adult child. 

The expertise of Aging Life Care Professionals can be summarized into eight knowledge areas. Let’s 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 client’s 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 client’s wishes with health care and other providers, ensuring that client’s 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 often 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. Check to see if this service is available in your area.

Local, cost-effective resources are identified and engaged as needed.

A care plan tailored for each individual’s circumstances is prepared after a comprehensive assessment. The plan may be modified in consultation with client and family, as circumstances change.

 When caregiving for an aging family member becomes overwhelming, it may be time to contact an Aging Life Care Professional for a consultation.

You may need an Aging Life Care Professional if the person you are caring for:

• has multiple medical or psychological issues
• is unable to live safely in their current environment
• is not pleased with current care providers and requires advocacy
• is confused about their own financial and/or legal situation
• has limited or no family support

Or if your family:

• has just become involved with helping the individual and needs direction about available services
• is either “burned out” or confused about care solutions
• has limited time and/or expertise in dealing with the individual’s chronic care needs and does not live close by
• is at odds regarding care decisions
• needs education and/or direction in dealing with behaviors associated with dementia

If you are looking for an Aging Life Care Expert in your geographical area, The Aging Life Care Association includes a searchable directory here.

 Most Aging Life Professionals bill privately for services.  An initial assessment can range from $125 to $300 per hour depending on the geographical region. In addition to fees, most Aging Life Care Professionals will charge for out-of-pocket expenses, such as charges for mileage, caregiving supplies, long-distance telephone calls, etc. Find out if there will be any other incidental costs. Ask for a copy of their fee list.

Whether families are 5 miles away or 5,000 miles away, consulting with an aging life care specialist is the solution for the overwhelming decisions that have to be made. With an independent aging life care specialist, you can be confident that a knowledgeable and compassionate professional is at your side.  

We serve the needs of our clients by providing:

• Personalized and compassionate service — focusing on the individual’s wants and needs.
• Accessibility — care is in many cases, is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week depending on the location and staff availability.
• 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 Professionals follow ALCA’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.