Ethics and Professionalism for Care Managers

Those who have contracted for the services of a professional whose specialty is service to older individuals and their families may or may not be aware that the senior service arena is seen as a major business opportunity.  This is not a bad thing in itself.  It IS, however, cause for prudence and care when making deciions for yourself and your relatives.  The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and its members adhere to a strict CODE OF ETHICS:

Provision of service:  We provide on-going service only after your needs have been assessed, you or the person designated to act for you, understand and agree to a plan, the results that can be expected from it and the cost of service.

Self-determination:  Our plan of service for you will be based on your defined goals and which enhance the decisions you have made concerning your life.

Loyalty: Our first loyalty is to YOU. We will always provide service based on your best interest, even if this conflicts with our interests or the interests of others.

Termination of Service: We will end service only after a reasonable notice and a recommended plan for you to continue receiving service as needed.

Substitute Judgement: We will not substitute our judgement for yours unless we are acting in the role of guardian , appointed by a Court of law, or with your approval or the approval of someone designated for you.

Referrals/Disclosures:  We will refer only to services and organizations we believe most appropriate  and of good quality.  We will fully explain any business relationship we have with any service we propose, and give you information on alternatives so an informed deciion can be made.

Cooperation:  We will strive to assure cooperation among all the professionals involved in providing service for you.

Qualifications:  We are fully qualified in our profession to provde the services we undertake.  We continue to improve our skills and knowledge by participating in professional development programs and maintaining certification and licensing.

Discrimination: We will not promote or sanction any form of discrimination.

Professional geriatric care managers work for the client and the client family.  They take their direction from the client, are partners with the client, and are inetrested only in the well-being and comfort of the client.