By the ElderTree Care Team
Once you decide to get help with a loved one’s care, the next choice is how much help, and in what form. Some families want a care manager at every appointment. Others live two states away, or are doing fine and want an experienced person to talk things through with.
We offer three ways to work with us: in-person care management, virtual care management (sometimes called remote care management) and Care Compass coaching. Here’s how they compare.
The three side by side
| In-person care management | Virtual care management | Care Compass coaching | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | Your care manager and our team | Your care manager and our team | You do, with a senior care manager advising |
| How you work together | Home visits, appointments, hospital and facility visits | Phone and video, with your loved one, your family and their providers | Phone and video |
| Where | Virginia, DC and Maryland | Wherever your loved one lives | Wherever your loved one lives |
| Day-to-day coordination | We handle it | We handle it, by phone and video | You handle it, and we help you plan |
| When something goes wrong | A care manager on call, day or night | A care manager on call, day or night | Someone to call between sessions |
| Often a good fit when | Care is complex, there’s a crisis or a move is coming | Your loved one wants to stay put, or family lives far away | You want to stay in charge, with advice when you need it |
In-person care management
Your care manager, with our team behind them, takes over the day-to-day. We go to appointments, visit your loved one at home or in their community, and stay in touch with doctors, agencies and pharmacies so they call us first. In an emergency, a care manager is on call day or night and can meet you at the hospital.
It’s usually the right choice when a lot is happening at once, like a new diagnosis, a hospital stay or a move, or when your loved one needs someone at appointments to ask questions and take notes.
Virtual care management
This is care management by phone and video. Your care manager gets to know your loved one, talks with the family and the doctors, keeps the care plan up to date, and finds and oversees local services like home care.
Families often choose it when they live far away and are still the one everyone calls. It also works for people who don’t want to move and mainly need someone to keep their care organized. Some people use it to plan ahead for themselves. They live on their own and want a plan, and a person who knows them, in place early.
Read more about virtual care management
Care Compass coaching
Care Compass is for families who want to keep doing it themselves. You talk decisions through with a senior care manager by phone or video: which level of care makes sense, what to ask on a tour, whether a contract looks right. Afterward we write up what we discussed, so you have a plan to share with the rest of the family. If you start to need more than advice, we’ll say so.
Is virtual care management as good as in person?
For many families, yes. Most of a care manager’s work is coordination: talking with doctors and agencies, keeping the family informed, updating the plan and acting quickly when something changes. Almost all of that works by phone and video.
In person is the better fit when your loved one needs someone with them often, for example at frequent appointments, or when things are changing week to week. If we think that’s your situation, we’ll tell you.
How to choose
Perhaps one of these sounds familiar.
- “Something just happened and we have to decide things this week.” Start with in-person care management. See what to do now.
- “My dad lives two states away and won’t hear of moving.” Virtual care management is usually the place to start.
- “I live alone and want a plan before I need one.” Virtual care management, or Care Compass if you’d rather run things yourself.
- “I’m handling it, but I’d like someone to check my thinking.” Care Compass coaching.
- “I’m not sure.” Take our two-minute quiz, or call us. We’ll tell you what we think you need, even if that’s someone else.
When needs change
A family might start with Care Compass and move to care management after a hospital stay. Another might start in person during a crisis and switch to virtual once things settle down. How you work with us can change as your situation does.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between remote and virtual care management?
At ElderTree they’re the same thing: care management by phone and video. Different companies use different names.
Can you help if my loved one lives outside Virginia, DC and Maryland?
Yes. Virtual care management and Care Compass coaching work wherever your loved one lives. In-person care management covers Virginia, DC and Maryland.
What’s the difference between coaching and care management?
With coaching, you do the work and we advise. With care management, in person or virtual, we take the coordination off your plate.
Do you take referral fees?
No. No facility, agency or vendor pays us, so nothing but your family’s situation shapes what we recommend.
Not sure where to start?
You don’t need to know which option fits before you call. The first conversation is free, and there’s nothing to sign. Find the situation that sounds most like yours or call us at 703-424-7575.
Talk to a care manager
Or call us now on (703) 424-7575. A care manager is on call, day or night. If this is a medical emergency, please call 911 first.
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