Geriatric Care Management Serving Rockwall Rowlett & North Texas
Benefits of Working With A Gerontologist & Geriatric Care Manager Call 949-346-5960
Yolanda Lawler, MASM RCFE
Gerontologist
My Journey
I fell in love with Gerontology and the elderly population while attending Cal State University, Fullerton (CSUF). At the time I was experiencing many challenges with my aging mother; It was not easy navigating the difficult role reversal that many of us experience with our aging parents, as well as being the sandwich generation (caring for my child and my mom). I was starting to resent being my mom’s caregiver.
Thankfully during my studies of Gerontology, I had the opportunity to understand the challenges my mother and I were experiencing. I put into practice what I was learning and helped my mother and my siblings with our journey. We were able to have a dialogue about difficult topics such as; finances, physical changes, decline, spiritual beliefs, the stigma of aging, and end of life wishes. This led my family to have a better experience helping our mother embrace aging and feel understood and supported through her journey.
I then decided to further my knowledge, experience, and education in Gerontology. After graduating from CSUF with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Gerontology, I pursued a Masters of Aging Services Management (MASM) from the University of Southern California (USC). I’ve been blessed to work with the elderly population as Case Manager in a special program for isolated older adults to support community reintegration.
Assistance from a Geriatric Care Manager or Gerontologist in Rowlett, Rockwall or North Texas with ongoing monitoring can prevent costly crises and unnecessary hospitalization. Geriatric Care Managers can be especially helpful when family members live far apart or when there are family dynamics and a facilitator is needed. Sometimes seniors are fearful of losing their independence and they don’t feel comfortable sharing their fears and concerns with their loved one. A Geriatric Care Manager will act as a liaison with families to help maintain good communication with families and other support systems to build or maintain important links between seniors and their families and, with permission, to alert families to problems areas that they may be able to assist with.
Geriatric Care Managers can reduce inappropriate institutional care and overuse of services as well as reduce miscommunications, time, stress, and cost to clients.
