Daniel Smerken
Geriatric Care Manager

Smerken Consulting - Eldercare Services

• http://www.smerken.com

• GTalk: dsmerken@gmail.com

I am a Certified Geriatric Care Manager who helps older adults and families manage issues related to aging, long term care, and housing.

A Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PGCM) is a health and human services expert, with a specialized body of knowledge and experience related to aging and care issues. The Professional Geriatric Care Manager (PGCM) assists older adults and persons with disabilities in addressing issues related to their health, psychological, functional and legal/financial status. In addition, the PGCM coordinates ongoing care and serves as an experienced guide and resource for families of older adults and others with chronic needs. The PGCM respects the autonomy of the individual, services with sensitivity and supports the dignity of each individual.

I bring a lot of knowledge, experience, and heart to my work with older adults and their families.

Older adults have immense value in our lives and in the community. They deserve our loving care. Caring for our elders is an education in being human, in knowing the path of life. It's a humanizing experience--though sometimes difficult.

It's important to remember that the main difference between ourselves and older adults, is time. In time, we will experience the challenges of being elderly. By providing better care for our aging loved ones, we create a better culture for all elders.

My philosophy is that older adults teach us -- to the very end of life -- about how to view what lies ahead in our own lives. This time of life calls for courage and compassion, both for the older adult, and their family and care providers.

Referrals to my no-cost 30 Minute eldercare telephone consultation promotion:

Evening and Weekend appointments available to accommodate your schedule.

Master of Arts in Social Science, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA -1997 - Organizational and Family Systems (Thesis - Home and Community Based Services for the Frail Elderly).

Bachelor of Arts, Health and Human Services, The Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA -1990 - Human Health and Behavior

Certificate of Practical Nursing (LPN), John A. Logan College, Carterville, IL - 1984

POST GRADUATE

Certificate Program in Geriatric Mental Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, June 2008

Certified Care Manager - National Academy of Certified Care Managers, October 2007

Certificate Program in Gerontology, University of Washington Seattle, WA. - 2006 - Gerontology

Graduate Certificate in Geriatric Care Management, University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl. - 2005 - Geriatric Care Management

Finance & Accounting for Non-Financial Executives, University of Washington Seattle, WA. - 2002 - Executive Financial Management and Accounting

Continuing Education

Professional Care Manager Fall Prevention Seminar Yale University School of Medicine - 1/23/2008

Helping Older Adults Cope with Grief and Loss - University of Washington School of Social Work - 01/10/2008 through 2/28/2008

Dementia: Diagnosis and Family Support - University of Washington School of Social Work - 01/11/2008 through 02/29/2008

Mood and Thought Disorders in Older Adults University of Washington School of Social Work, Spring 2008

Navigating Multiple Systems in Working with Older Adults, University of Washington School of Social Work, Spring 2008

Diagnosing and Treating Older Adults with Mental Illness - University of Washington School of Social Work - 10-05-2007 through 12-07-2007

The first 1/3rd of my career was devoted to providing personal care, social, health and recreational services for special populations including outdoor experiential education.

In the 1980's and 1990's I was a nurse, case manager, administrator, and health care executive.

I now operate my own geriatric care management practice and assist non-profits develop housing and services for older adults and persons with disabilities.