Case Managers Are Key to Long Term Care in Massachusetts

When a loved one transitions from the hospital to home or to a new healthcare center such as a long term care center, the most important expert for families to communicate with is the case manager. Each hospital and healthcare center has a case management team. This team is responsible for their patients’ medical success, compliance and smoothly transitioning from one care setting to another. Case managers often work behind the scenes, arranging care, medical equipment, transportation and even providing patient education.

In order to have open communication about their loved one’s care, families can schedule a time to meet with the case manager.  If families are out of state, conference calls can be arranged. When a case manager knows the unique needs of your loved one, this will help them make the best decisions for a successful discharge plan from one setting and help set the stage for a well rounded care plan going forward. If a patient does not have a support system at home, the case manager can arrange home care services to assist him until he is healthy enough to care for himself at home.

Mass Care Link is one of the few home care agencies in Massachusetts to have a team of nurse case managers working in assisting caregivers. To learn more about Mass Care Link home care support, go to www.masscarelink.org