Frequently Asked Questions
Who are your clients you are providing consultations for?
Many of my clients are older adults who reside in Montgomery County, Maryland and are experiencing changes and challenges related to their aging process and whose adult children or other involved relatives reside locally or out-of-town. GCC receives requests for consultations to explore concerns from family members of an older adult locally or from out of the area. Sometimes the adult children wish to explore whether their parent (s) should consider a relocation to Maryland. GCC also consults with adults who themselves are considering moving out of MD to be closer to other relatives at a certain stage of life. GCC takes a pro-active approach in providing guidance, resources, the desire to age in place, or recommendations for senior living settings. GCC can recommend other certified Aging Life Care Managers in other parts of the USA as desired.
How do you keep abreast of the resources in your area?
Margi has made it a priority to keep up -to-date on resources in Montgomery County, MD area as part of a network of aging services. She maintains contacts with a variety of professionals and meets new providers of services to seniors on a regular basis. She also makes a point of updating on new assisted living settings, adult retirement communities, and other providers of services to seniors on a regular basis. She also revisits assisted living settings that have made changes, new programming, upgrades, and new administrative staff over time.
What are your fees?
An initial free 15-20 minute phone call as an intake will determine if she can assist you for further guidance in your particular situation. Consultation and home-visit assessment fees are charged at $200/hour (pro-rated). Additional future consultations are based on $185/hour (pro-rated). Written reports are available if requested. Services are flexible and tailored to meet the individual needs of each client served. Feel free to contact to discuss your situation:
(301) 320-5380 or email gercarecounseling@gmail.com
Are Geriatric Care Management Services covered by insurance?
Some Long-Term Care Insurance policies will reimburse for
initial assessments and a written report by a clinical social worker/certified care manager.
Check your specific policy to determine your coverage.
What are other resources you can recommend?
Aging Life Care TM Association, www.aginglifecare.org, (520) 881-8008; the Mid-Atlantic
Chapter, www.midatlanticalca.org
Alzheimer’s Association of the National Capital Area, www.alz.org, (1-800) 272-3900
Caregiver Action Network, www.caregiveraction.org, (202) 454 3970
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, www.cms.gov, (1-800) 633-4227
Dementia Action Alliance, www.daanow.org, (732) 212-9036
Dementia Society of America, www.dementiasociety.org, (1-844) 336-3684
Eldercare Locator, www.eldercare.org, (1-800) 677-1116
Jewish Council for the Aging, www.accessjca.org, (301) 255-4200
Mental Health Association, www.every-mind.org, (301) 424-0656
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc, (NAELA), www.naela.org
National Alliance for Caregiving, www.caregiving.org, (202) 918-1013
National Alliance on Mental Illness, www.namimc.org, (301) 949-5852
National Council on Aging, www.ncoa.org , (571) 527-3900
National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization, www.nhpco.org, www.caringinfo.org,
(703) 837-1500
National Institute on Aging, www.nia.nih.gov, (1-800) 222-2225
Sourcebook-Guide to Retirement Living, Positive Aging- www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com,
(1-800) 394-9990
U.S. Govt. Site for Medicare, www.medicare.gov, (1-800) 633-4227
Well Spouse Association, www.wellspouse.org, (732) 577-8899
I look forward to hearing from you! – Margi
Tel. - 301-320-5380 Email Margi
“Margi was available over the past years, pointed us to an independent living apartment in a senior setting and helped us in assessing alternatives for memory care facilities at a later time. She was concerned and compassionate towards our mother and us, her sons, and was well informed concerning strategies for our mother’s pending moves. We will turn to GCC again, and recommend her to everyone with aging parents.”
Sons from Maryland“Need help finding the right type of housing for your aging parent? Look no further than Margi Helsel-Arnold of GCC. I needed to find housing for my elderly dad. Going about this task would not be easy. I knew I needed a certified professional to perform an evaluation and a recommendation of housing options for my dad. Hiring Margi was the best move I made to get dad into a well-regarded assisted living facility. Her knowledge of the different styles of senior communities in MCounty is very extensive. Margi is credible, knowledgeable, detailed, and offers very personalized service. I am happy to say I am working with Margi as I started the process of visiting senior communities for myself.
Daughter from Olney, MD