MEMBER PROFILE:
Trinity ElderCare Consulting & Management

When family members and friends are responsible for the care of an older adult, they are often faced with an array of issues, questions, and difficult decisions. This is when the expertise of Trinity ElderCare Consulting & Management, LLC of Glens Falls can provide much-needed support and expertise.

Trinity, an Affiliate Member of ARBI, is a private geriatric care management practice founded by Eileen Collins Dunn in 1999, with Kym Hance joining the practice as a partner in 2007. The firm has specialized training in the field of geriatrics, with the skills and knowledge to assist older adults and their families with long-term care arrangements. Trinity’s professionals meet with families, assess the client's needs, and develop a comprehensive plan with input from caregivers, professionals, and others involved with their care.

“One of the difficulties families face with long-term care issues is not knowing how long the situation will go on or what the future will hold. We do a comprehensive assessment and develop future care planning options,” explains Eileen Dunn, Trinity’s founder. “We make referrals to financial, legal, accounting and medical specialists when appropriate. There is no one-stop shopping for long term care needs and it’s important to have a team of professionals working together to achieve the best possible outcome.”

Trinity’s team assists with all preparations for needed in-home care or arranges for a transition to a facility. Once services are set up, Trinity will monitor and coordinate them, and revise the plan when needed.

“Unfortunately, many families think they know more than they do. We meet with so many people who have spent hours researching services and what’s available. But most of the time they haven’t even scratched the surface or they have inaccurate or outdated information,” notes Dunn’s business partner, Kym Hance. “The general public also doesn’t know how to access what we call the ‘health care underground.’ There are networks and services out there that we know about through our long-term care networking meetings and coalitions in the Capital District and the North Country.”

Trinity Partners with Other Professionals

In addition to helping seniors and their families directly, Trinity also works closely with other professionals. As their clients age, they are faced with age-related challenges such as housing alternatives, care options and complex family issues.

Financial Advisors and Attorneys. Financial and legal advisors are recognizing the need to incorporate the “human element” in their planning process and services. By networking with Trinity, which is linked to the social and long-term care services in the area, these professionals add value for their clients.

Businesses. The average caregiver spends 17 hours just researching services. At least 90% of Trinity’s client relationships begin with a phone call from a stressed-out son or daughter, who is often calling from work. This caregiver role creates time and financial pressures for both the employee and the employer. Trinity’s Corporate Gerontology services provide a flexible solution to ease this burden and are designed to allow employed caregivers to keep focused and on the job.

Physicians. Trinity is an ideal resource for physicians who have patients and families struggling with long-term care issues, particularly when the families live at a distance.
Hospitals. Trinity works closely with area hospital discharge planners who have patients that need someone to coordinate their care when they go home and help them on a long-term basis.

Senior Apartment Managers. Senior housing developers use Trinity to help reduce turnover and allow seniors to remain in their apartments longer. As the residents age and become frail, Trinity’s staff can recognize problems and provide early intervention. In addition, a Trinity representative can inform residents about updated Medicare and Social Security information and benefits, and educate residents about what services are available and how to use them.

More information about Trinity ElderCare Consulting & Management is available online www.trinityeldercare.com.