Aging Care Choices

• Facilitate communication among family members, medical, financial and legal professionals
• Develop a specialized care plan keeping the elder's interests, health condition, and finances in mind
• Locate and recommend appropriate housing options such as independent and assisted living facilities, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes
• Advocate on behalf of elders in hospitals and other community settings
• Serve as a liaison to out-of-town family members during medical crises
• Facilitate communication among family members, medical, financial and legal professionals
• Provide in-home safety evaluations
• Assist with finding and arranging for home care services, medication management, and other needed  services
• Educate and guide family members through the aging process
• Determine and help access Veterans, Long-term Care Insurance Benefits, and other entitlements
• Make referrals to qualified legal, financial, and medical professionals and services
• Facilitate transportation, attend, and advocate for elders during medical, legal, and financial appointments
• Provide regular in-home monitoring of psychosocial and medical well-being
• Collaborate with housing staff, such as nurses, social workers, and activity directors, to ensure the maximum quality of life
• Provide expert knowledge and guidance to help family members through the maze of elder health care options
• Mediate and help resolve internal family conflicts related to caring for an elderly family member
• Counsel and support family members through difficult medical and financial decisions, including palliative and hospice care 

“As someone living abroad, I am very grateful for the services that Karen offers. My father lives in assisted living, but needs help managing his medical care (going to doctors, communicating between the different doctors, staying up on his meds, etc). Karen keeps me updated when he goes to a doctor, when there are changes in his medications, or when there has been some kind of change in his medical status. It is very comforting knowing that if there is a crisis, Karen is able to step in and make all the necessary arrangements, all while communicating with me in Germany. My father is also very comfortable with Karen and calls her whenever he needs help or has concerns about something that is going on with him health-wise. He knows she is there for him, which reinforces my feeling of trust and security.”
--G.H., Germany

“I've had the pleasure of working with Karen Bernat for several years. She is a bright star in the field of Professional Geriatric Care Management. Karen is energetic, warm and truly cares about her clients and their family members. Karen is also smart and dedicated. She has worked hard to develop the remarkable and complex set of skills required to be an excellent Care Manager. I highly recommend her to any family struggling with the difficult issues of aging.”
--Jill Lebar, MA, LMHC, CMC, President, Berkshire Elder Care Consulting

“Karen helped my family activate long term care benefits for my out of state father. She successfully dealt with a large bureaucracy (the long term care insurance company), with doctors and receptionists, and with the staff at my father's assisted living in Cambridge, MA. She was persistent, and skilled on email, the phone, and in person. She regularly contacted me about her progress and provided great detail. She was professional and highly successful. We are all extremely grateful.”
--SP Pasadena, CA

“Karen and I have worked closely together on two complex cases, and in both instances I was impressed with her professionalism and dedication to her clients. I frequently refer clients to Karen because I know that she will be responsive to their needs. Karen is great with patients, families and other professionals, and I recommend her without hesitation.”
--Audrey Heidt, Elder Law Attorney