Full Definition

A geriatric care manager — now more commonly called an Aging Life Care Professional (ALCP) — is a trained specialist (typically a social worker, nurse, or counselor with advanced aging-related credentials) who helps older adults and families navigate care decisions, coordinate services, and manage the complex needs of aging.

Services typically include: comprehensive needs assessment across health, cognitive, functional, emotional, and safety domains; care plan development and coordination; facility identification and evaluation; advocacy during hospital stays or transitions; family communication and meeting facilitation; and ongoing monitoring of a loved one’s wellbeing.

Geriatric care managers are particularly valuable for families who live far from an aging parent and cannot be physically present to oversee care. They serve as the “eyes and ears” on the ground, providing regular updates and intervening when problems arise.

In Texas, geriatric care managers work independently on a private-pay basis (not covered by Medicare or Medicaid). Fees range from $100–$250 per hour depending on the professional’s credentials and location. The Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) maintains a directory of credentialed professionals. A good geriatric care manager can save families money in the long run by preventing poor placement decisions and care gaps.