You may have heard of geriatric care management and wondered whether it’s right for you.
And if you’ve heard of Kendal at Home, you might be asking how our services compare. There are some similarities, but also very important differences. Like care coordinators, geriatric care managers are advocates for older adults who help them navigate health care decisions. However, some of the biggest differences between geriatric care managers (GCMs) and care coordinators have to do with the nature of the relationship, the framework for providing care, and the financial model.
Here’s a closer look at the role of the two different
What Is a Geriatric Care Manager?
Geriatric care managers offer one‑to‑one advocacy and guidance for older adults and families: assessments, care plans, arranging/monitoring services, referrals, and family communication.
Many have a background in nursing, social work, OT/PT, gerontology or psychology and may hold credentials from bodies such as NACCM (CMC), CCMC, NASW or ICHCC (CGCM).
Independent practice is common, with a national professional association of 2,000 members, according to the ACLA. This model is especially prevalent in Massachusetts, with more than 149 geriatric care managers listed in one statewide directory.
Their services are typically paid hourly and out-of-pocket. Rates range from approximately $150 to $350/hour, according to Guardian Life.
Medicare/Medicaid generally do not cover geriatric care management, though some long-term care insurance may reimburse coordination.
Why There’s Growing Interest in Geriatric Care Management
More people want to age in place.
The preference is clear: AARP’s latest Home & Community Preferences research finds about three‑quarters of adults 50+ want to stay in their homes as they age.
At the same time, many older adults aren’t fully confident their children or relatives can step in to care for them on a full-time or even part-time basis.
Successfully growing older at home requires planning for support as health needs change. More than 70% of adults 65 and older will eventually need some form of care, and those with chronic needs will need care for at least three years.
Care isn’t confined to in-home nursing.
It can include everything from preparing someone for a smooth recovery after a hospital stay and driving them to follow–up visits to managing appointments and medications and helping them update their home to reduce the risk of falling.
Care needs are bigger and more complex.
In 2025, 63 million Americans—about one in four adults—are caring for family members, according to the latest report from the AARP and National Alliance for Caregiving.
The share of people juggling care for both children and aging parents (the “sandwich generation”) continues to grow. Many caregivers now perform high‑intensity, clinical tasks at home, such as treating wounds, giving injections, and managing equipment such as oxygen tanks.
Yet only about one in five caregivers report receiving training, which raises safety risks and stress. Without guidance, families learn by trial and error, and what starts as a “few hours a week” can quickly become round‑the‑clock coordination, missed work, and preventable crises.
Navigating the healthcare system is challenging.
Even the most proactive families run into barriers, such as persistent caregiver shortages, agency closures, and rising costs of care that outpace inflation. Home health and personal care job openings are projected to climb 17%, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while home health spending is expected to nearly double by 2033, according to the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
Yet pay and policy constraints make staffing difficult.
A Commonwealth Fund review found that about one‑third of patients referred to home health in 2022 never received it.
Without a support network, finding vetted caregivers, covering shifts, and navigating Medicaid/Medicare rules can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Caregiving places additional stress on family members.
Of those who care for family members, more than two-thirds say they struggle to balance jobs with caregiving.
Geriatric care managers can be a valuable advocate, especially during a crisis or when relatives live far away.
As older adults have increasing support needs, however, the costs of a geriatric care manager will continue to increase. And because care managers often work independently, they may also have limited availability.
If a caregiver they’ve arranged is unavailable and you can’t reach your GCM, you may not have a backup.
Kendal at Home: An Investment in Independence
Kendal at Home is a different model for older adults who want to stay healthy and independent with the confidence they’ll receive the care they need when the time comes.
When you join Kendal at Home, you’re paired with a dedicated care coordinator who builds a relationship with you. They get to know your family, goals, hobbies and routines so they can provide support when you need it. They’ll focus on making sure you have what you need to stay healthy and in your home, whether that’s an annual assessment or referrals for home maintenance services.
If you have an injury or an illness, they’ll work with you to help you heal at home if at all possible, with the goal of reducing the length of time you need care.
If you do need care for a chronic condition, they’ll make arrangements with vetted providers and ensure someone will always be available to step in if needed.
Our care coordinators are part of a larger team, with someone on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and supported by professionals with backgrounds in physical therapy, psychology, nutrition and more, so they can address small issues before they become crises.
Kendal at Home’s membership includes lifetime coverage for long‑term care services per your plan, giving you predictability and no waiting periods when you need help.
This is a key distinction from traditional long‑term care insurance, which often has a 30–90‑day elimination period before benefits start.
Differences between geriatric care managers and Kendal at Home care coordinators
Take the Next Step Toward Planning Your Next Chapter
Our members often describe their care coordinators as trusted partners who know them well.
They become an extension of your medical team and may encourage you to get a second opinion or additional testing if something doesn’t seem right.
Our care coordinators have identified serious issues or illnesses in members before physicians have because they know them so well and know what’s typical for them when they’re in good health.
While geriatric care managers can be a great option if you want an hourly, consultative partner to help you navigate appointments, a crisis, or a short‑term transition, consider Kendal at Home if you value a long‑term partnership that blends care coordination, proactive wellness, and lifetime care coverage.
Kendal at Home makes aging what it should be—planned, supported and entirely your own, in the home you love.
Join us for a virtual seminar to learn more about membership, coverage, and costs.
