In looking for assistance for an elderly parent, spouse or other loved one, locating a capable Geriatric Case Manager is the first important step to take.

The Geriatric Case Managers and Caregivers at Innovative Healthcare Consultants (IHC) take pride in the true authenticity of the valuable work they perform.

Entering its 12th year in business, IHC has established itself with an extraordinary reputation.

Unlike other organizations who bring social workers on board as case managers, at IHC, all Geriatric Case Managers are Registered Nurses. They possess excellent assessment skills, a nursing background related to the geriatric population and are certified.

"This gives our organization credibility," said Colleen Van Horn, owner of IHC. "Our Case Managers have compassion, knowledge and are medical advocates."

When dealing with the geriatric population, medical issues and needs are at the forefront, so having a registered nurse "in charge" is vital to an individual’s wellbeing.

The responsibility of a Geriatric Case Manager, explained Van Horn, is to help coordinate care for the elderly person. Through a consultation, needs are assessed and a plan is tailored to fit. Obtaining the right help for the elderly person is achieved and/or referrals to resources are provided.

Case Managers present options for individual care based on specific medical needs.

"We can take care of those options or steer them in the right direction where they can do it themselves," Van Horn she said.

What IHC provides are comprehensive solutions and peace of mind for the elderly and their loved ones.

One of the alternatives offered to the elderly who need assistance are professional caregivers. IHC has experienced caregivers with certifiable experience working with the elderly, explained Van Horn. Only compassionate caregivers with great observational skills are accepted by IHC.

Van Horn opened IHC after working in the medical field. She was employed as a registered nurse with Advertisement

Youngren Construction Inc. Fallbrook Hospital for 22 years.

Her areas of focus at the hospital included intensive care, coronary care and case management.

"I saw how discharge planning was to get people out of the hospital as fast as possible," said Van Horn, noting that many elderly patients aren’t prepared for transitioning back home and, in many cases, rebound to a hospital within 24 hours.

"That’s when I started looking at how I could help these people and I found there was an organization called Geriatric Care Managers," she said. Van Horn joined the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and eventually became a board member.

Van Horn realized this area of work also involves being an advocate for a person’s needs and respecting their wishes.

In addition to assessing healthcare needs, her staff members are trained to look at psychosocial issues and home safety.

At IHC, the case managers also escort their patients to doctor’s appointment(s). This provides great communication between the doctor, patient and family members. Case managers are able to relay important information to the doctor and can easily translate what occurred during the visit with family members.

Coordinating medical and medication information with all physicians is done with ease, as the Case Manager oversees everything. The Case Managers at IHC often hear that they are a pocket private nurse.

Doctors have been thoroughly impressed with the case managers at IHC, Van Horn said. "Physicians have referred their own family members to us," she stated.

IHC serves the elderly throughout San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County. They have a gift of offering individuals true peace of mind for the ones that they love.

For more information on IHC, call (760) 731-1334 or visit their Web page at www.innovativehc.com.

Office locations: 557 East Alvarado, Fallbrook; 1501 Front Street, Suite 434, San Diego.