Geriatric Care Management in California and Texas
Geriatric Care Management California & Texas
The Way to Aging provides geriatric care management services for older adults and families throughout California and Texas. Led by gerontologist Yolanda Lawler, our personalized approach helps families understand changing care needs, coordinate services, manage senior-care crises and make informed long-term care decisions.
A geriatric care manager evaluates an older adult’s physical, cognitive, emotional, social and environmental needs. Based on that assessment, the care manager develops a personalized care plan that may include support at home, medical coordination, caregiver assistance, dementia care or relocation to assisted living, memory care or a board-and-care home.
For families who feel overwhelmed or live far from an aging parent, The Way to Aging provides knowledgeable guidance, ongoing communication and a clear path forward.
A well-trained care manager can help individuals remain as independent as possible by assessing the alternatives, whether it’s living at home with assistance or in other situations, such as supportive housing or assisted living facilities. Geriatric Care Managers have special training in Gerontology, Social Work, Nursing, or Counseling. Call 949-278-6181
What Is Geriatric Care Management? Call 949-278-6181
Geriatric care management is a professional service that helps older adults and their families plan, coordinate and monitor care. It brings the different parts of senior care together—including health concerns, personal care, housing, safety, family communication and community resources.
A geriatric care manager does not replace a physician or other healthcare provider. Instead, the care manager helps families understand their options, communicate with appropriate professionals and coordinate the services needed to support an older adult’s safety, independence and quality of life.
How The Way to Aging Helps Families in California & Texas Can Help with:
Our geriatric care management services may include:
- Comprehensive assessments of an older adult’s needs
- Personalized care planning
- Home visits and safety evaluations
- Coordination of in-home caregivers and community services
- Assistance communicating with healthcare providers
- Dementia and memory-care guidance
- Crisis intervention and stabilization
- Family meetings and care discussions
- Long-distance caregiving support
- Assisted living, memory care and board-and-care placement
- Referrals to legal, financial and healthcare professionals
- Ongoing monitoring as care needs change
When Should You Contact a Geriatric Care Manager?
Consider speaking with a geriatric care manager when:
- An older adult is experiencing falls, confusion or medication problems
- A parent is no longer safe living alone
- Memory loss or dementia symptoms are increasing
- Family members disagree about the appropriate care plan
- You live far from the person who needs assistance
- A hospitalization creates an urgent need for care
- Caregiver stress is affecting your health or family
- You are unsure whether home care, assisted living or memory care is appropriate
- An older adult’s needs have become too complex for one family member to coordinate
Early planning can help families understand available options before a preventable situation becomes a crisis. The National Institute on Aging also provides families with research-based information about caregiving and supporting older adults.
Geriatric Care Management for Dementia
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia can become increasingly complicated. Changes in memory, judgment, behavior, mobility and communication can affect both the individual and the entire family.
The Way to Aging helps families evaluate safety concerns, understand changing care needs, coordinate dementia support and determine whether care at home or a specialized memory-care setting may be appropriate. The goal is to create a practical care plan while preserving the older adult’s dignity and supporting the family.
Why Families Choose The Way to Aging
Yolanda Lawler combines education in gerontology with operational experience in assisted living and memory care. Her perspective extends beyond finding a senior community. She understands resident care, staffing, family communication, dementia support and the realities of operating senior-living environments.
This experience helps families compare options based on care needs, safety, services, staffing and long-term suitability—not simply appearance or availability.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking, reasoning, and the ability to perform everyday tasks. It is the most common cause of dementia and typically develops gradually over several years.
Dementia is a general term for a decline in memory and thinking severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for approximately 60–70% of dementia cases.
Early symptoms often include:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Repeating questions or stories
- Difficulty planning or solving problems
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble finding the right words
- Misplacing items frequently
- Changes in mood or personality
If these symptoms become persistent, it’s important to seek a medical evaluation.
Researchers believe Alzheimer’s develops from a combination of age, genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. While the exact cause remains unknown, abnormal protein deposits in the brain (amyloid plaques and tau tangles) are associated with the disease.
There is currently no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. However, maintaining regular physical activity, controlling blood pressure, eating a heart-healthy diet, staying socially engaged, getting quality sleep, and keeping your mind active may help reduce the risk or delay cognitive decline.
Doctors diagnose Alzheimer’s using a combination of:
- Medical history
- Physical and neurological examinations
- Memory and cognitive testing
- Blood tests
- Brain imaging (MRI or PET scans)
- Sometimes spinal fluid testing
Early diagnosis allows families to plan care and explore available treatments.
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, medications and supportive therapies may help manage symptoms, slow progression for some individuals, and improve quality of life. Early treatment often provides the greatest benefit.
The greatest risk factor is age, particularly after age 65. Other risk factors include family history, certain genetic factors, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and lifestyle habits such as smoking and physical inactivity.
Occasional forgetfulness is a normal part of aging, but frequent memory loss that interferes with daily activities, affects judgment, or causes confusion should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Early diagnosis can help individuals and families access treatment and support sooner.
A gerontologist can help families understand the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, evaluate care options, coordinate medical and community resources, develop a personalized care plan, and guide families through decisions about home care, memory care, assisted living, and long-term planning. Early guidance can reduce caregiver stress and improve quality of life for both the individual and their family.