Frequently Asked Questions

When care giving for an aging or incapacitated family member or loved one becomes overwhelming it may be time for a professional Case Manager. Other instances where a Case Manager may be needed are:

• There is limited or no family support.
• Your family has become involved with helping the individual and needs guidance regarding available services.
• The person you are caring for has multiple medical or psychological issues.
• The person you are caring for is unable to live safely in their current environment.
• Your family is either “burned out” or uncertain of care solutions.
• Your family has a limited time and/or expertise in dealing with your loved ones’ chronic care needs.
• Your family is at odds regarding care decisions.
• The person you are caring for is dissatisfied with current care providers and requires advocacy.
• The person you are caring for is confused about their financial and or legal situation.
• Your family needs education and/or direction to deal with behaviors associated with dementia.

A Case Manager is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for persons who care for elderly or disabled family members or loved ones. Case Managers are educated and experienced in any of several fields related to care management. These include nursing, gerontology, social work, or psychology, with a specialized focus on issues related to special needs care, aging and elder care.

Case Managers help clients to attain their maximum functional potential. Individual’s independence is encouraged, while assessing their safety and security concerns. Case Managers address a broad range of issues related to their clients’ well-being. They have extensive knowledge of costs, quality, and availability of resources for their clients.

Professional case management is a holistic, client-centered approach to caring for vulnerable individuals who face ongoing health and other challenges. Working with families, Case Managers provide answers in a time of uncertainty. Their guidance allows families to secure recourses that ensure quality care, safety and relevance. Case Managers use a variety of tools to:

• Assess and monitor
• Plan and problem solve
• Education and advocate
• Coach families and caregivers

Sterling Case Management & Fiduciaries of Arizona is happy to refer local experts. Give us a call.

A vulnerable adult is a person who is eighteen years of age or older who is unable to protect themselves from abuse, neglect or exploitation because of a physical or mental impairment.

A person is determined by the court to be incapacitated when they lack sufficient understanding or “capacity” to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning their daily living needs.

Arizona Revised Statutes §14-5101 1. “Incapacitated person” means any person who is impaired by reason of mental illness, mental deficiency, mental disorder, physical illness or disability, chronic use of drugs, chronic intoxication or other cause, except minority, to the extent that he lacks sufficient understanding or capacity to make or communicate responsible decisions concerning his person.”

This determination is made by the court in conjunction with a statement from a qualified physician.

A conservator is appointed by a probate court to manage the financial affairs of someone who is determined by the court to be unable to manage their own finances and property.

A private fiduciary is a non-family member who is certified by the Arizona Supreme Court Fiduciary Certification Program to serve clients professionally, for a fee. A private fiduciary may be appointed by the court to serve as guardian, conservator or personal representative of an estate if the fiduciary is not a beneficiary of that estate. Private fiduciaries may also serve, by agreement, as trustees, representative payees, or as agents under powers of attorney.

A fiduciary serves in a role of trust to be responsible for the care of another person’s needs and/or property. Fiduciaries are court-appointment as guardians, conservators or personal representatives of estates. They may also serve, by agreement, as trustees; representative payees for Social Security or other income benefit plans; as agents under powers of attorney.