The best way to find an Aging Life Care Professional is to use our Find an Aging Life Care Expert search tool. You can search by city and state or zip code.
Aging Life Care Professionals® belong to the Aging Life Care Association® (ALCA); an organization dedicated to providing expert assistance to aging individuals and their families. While care managers may call themselves consultants, managers, advisor, or something else, only members of ALCA can use the terms Aging Life Care Professionals®, Aging Life Care Manager®, Aging Life Care Specialist® or use the trademark term Aging Life Care™.
ALCA members are committed to maximizing the independence and autonomy of aging adults while ensuring the highest quality of health and human services. Through education, advocacy, counseling, and service delivery, ALCA members assist older persons and their families in coping with the challenges of aging.
ALCA promotes the highest standards of practice and membership is open only to qualified individuals. Requirements include specialized degrees and experience in human services, including, but not limited to, social work, psychology, gerontology, nursing, or therapy.
Advanced Professional members hold a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree, are primarily engaged in a paid position in the direct practice, administration or supervision of client-centered services to the elderly, has several years of post-degree supervised experience in the field of Aging Life Care™, and holds a current ALCA-approved certification. Some Advanced Professional members are considered Fellows, due to their significant experience in the field.
Professional members hold an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree, are primarily engaged in a paid position in the direct practice, administration or supervision of client-centered services to the elderly and has several years of post-degree supervised experience in the field of Aging Life Care™.
Associate members hold an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s or Ph.D. degree OR an Associate’s or diploma in Nursing OR an LPN, PTA, or OTA license and is primarily engaged in a paid position in the direct practice, administration, or supervision of client-centered services to the elderly.
A member who is designated with an orange ALCA All In belongs to a three or more care manager practice/agency where all care manager employees are ALCA members. ALCA All In recognizes the company’s commitment to ALCA’s ideals and providing clients with the highest standards of care in the Aging Life Care™ field.
What Does an Aging Life Care Professional Do?
Aging Life Care Professionals primarily work with older adults and have an expertise in geriatrics. They bring knowledge of aging issues to help dispel myths and focus on the problems at hand. They bring experience of working with resources in your community and are aware of real-life problems, health and otherwise, that emerge as persons age. They know the tools that are available and are connected to a community of social workers, nurses, psychologists, elder law attorneys, advocates, and other professionals.
Questions to Ask
It is important to ask questions. Some of these include:
- What is your experience and what professional credentials do you hold? Aging Life Care Professionals have diverse experience, education, and backgrounds. Many are licensed in their state in specific fields (such as nursing or social work).
- What are your areas of expertise and what are the primary services provided by your agency/business? While knowledgeable in eight core areas of Aging Life Care™, individual professionals may have specific areas of expertise. You will want to hire someone who regularly handles clients with similar needs to yours.
- How many Aging Life Care Professionals are in your agency/business? Some Aging Life Care Professionals are Solo Practitioners and some work within a larger practice.
- Is there a fee for the initial consultation and, if so, how much? And how much does continued care cost? Rates vary by location and experience, and may not be covered by insurance. Fees should be provided to the client/responsible party in writing prior to services starting.
- How long have you been providing Aging Life Care management services?
- Are you available for emergencies?
- Does your company also provide home care services?
- How do you communicate with your clients and families?
- Can you provide references?
The answers to your questions will help you determine if a particular Aging Life Care Professional and agency/business has the qualifications for a successful relationship with you. If you have an issue that needs immediate attention, be sure to inform the Aging Life Care Professional during the initial conversation.