NAPGCM certification programs for geriatric care management

As the aging population continues to grow, the need for qualified geriatric care management standards is increasingly critical. To evolve industry standards and ultimately improve profession-recognized qualifications, the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) introduced new membership categories, including the official "Certified Geriatric Care Manager" category which requires specific higher education levels, supervised work experience and one of four industry-sanctioned professional designations.

The new NAPGCM membership categories and profession-recognized certified membership take effect January 1, 2010. (For details on the education, work experience and certification requirements, visit www.caremanager.org/certification and click "Categories of membership.")

With the massive Baby Boomer population actively challenged with caring for their parents in addition to life planning for their own longer-term care management needs, NAPGCM's newly recognized certified member category comes at a pivotal time for consumers wishing to get help in caring for aging loved ones as well as professionals looking to enter the booming field.

From its founding in 1985 with 50 members to its current membership exceeding 2,000, with the new designations, NAPGCM took a leadership role in recognizing members who have attained the profession-sanctioned requirements to be called a Certified Geriatric Care Manager.

"We began this process three years ago, when we recognized four certification programs as quality standards for the profession. Now, in addition to the education and work experience, we are recognizing those that have attained this level while inspiring other care managers - who aspire to the high standards of personal and professional excellence," said Phyllis Brostoff, president of NAPGCM.

Members who do not hold one of these certifications, but who meet all other education and work experience requirements, can maintain their membership as an Associate Geriatric Care Manager.