How to Become a Geriatric Consultant
If you enjoy working with senior citizens and are motivated to protect the rights of the aging, geriatric consulting work may be a good career choice. Geriatric consultants, also known as geriatric care managers, are professional health and human services experts who help families care for their elderly relatives by offering guidance and solutions to the medical and life issues faced by senior citizens. Geriatric consultants are often trained in the fields of social work, psychology, law, nursing, and medicine. Here is a general guide on starting a career in geriatric consulting.
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Things You'll Need
- Advanced degree in a health or human services field
- Knowledge of the aging and elder care issues
- A desire to advocate for the rights of the elderly
- Experience working with senior citizens, preferably in an human service or health care position
Instructions
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How to Become a Geriatric Consultant
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Obtain an advanced degree in a health or human services field. Geriatric consultants come from many fields of expertise. Many nurses, doctors, social workers, psychologists, and attorneys who specialize in aging and elder care become geriatric consultants.
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Learn everything possible about aging, elder care, and issues affecting the elderly. Become an expert on senior citizens' rights. You need to be familiar with the best medical options for the elderly and how that care should be facilitated. You will also discover if you have a true passion to advocate for the elderly.
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Work with senior citizens in a human services or health care setting. Practical working experience in a gerontology field will allow you to develop an expertise on how to best serve the elderly. You will understand what recommendations best serve your clients and their families based on your work experiences.
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Get certified in the geriatric field. The National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers requires that all members be certified. Certification is not required to be a geriatric consultant but it can help increase your expertise and knowledge of the field. Certifications available include certified case manager and certified advanced social worker in case management.
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Join a geriatric consulting practice in a staff position to enter the field. You can learn from other geriatric consultants and receive guidance on how to work with elderly clients and their families. Once you gain more experience, you may even consider opening up your own practice in the future.
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Tips & Warnings
Join a professional association for geriatric consultants or geriatric care managers to gain more knowledge of current issues and network with others in your field.
Work with individuals and groups in a variety of economic and social settings to develop skills to handle elderly clients of various needs and situations.
Attend elder care seminars to learn more about your field.
