National Association of Geriatric Care Managers, Inc.

The Organization

The National Association of Geriatric Care Managers, Inc. (GCM) is a non-profit organization that is designed to help elderly individuals with their physical, emotional, and psychological needs. GCM’s main office is located at 1604 North Country Club Road in Tucson, Arizona. This office can be reached via phone at (520) 881-8008 or by fax at (520) 325-7925. Business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. MST with the exception of holidays. Voicemail service is provided 24 hours a day seven days a week.

History

The GCM was originally called the National Association of Private Care Managers and was established in 1986. The organization was spawned when a group of approximately 50 business owners that were predominantly nurses and social workers who specialized in the growing field of long term care gathered at a 1984 conference. The group decided to create an organization that could promote member businesses.

Evolution

In 1993, the focus of the organization as well as the name changed. The members decided to change the Private portion of the organization’s name to Professional. This name changed denoted a shift in purpose for the organization as the GCM became less concerned with promoting the business interests of its members and more involved with promoting the field of long term care in general. During 1996, the GMC joined together with other organizations such as Connecticut Community Care to establish a credentialing program for care managers called the National Academy of Certified Care Managers (NACCM). Membership of the GCM has increased from 50 in 1986 to over 1700 in 2005 and the budget of GCM has grown from $25,000 in 1986 to $500,000 in 2003.

Programs and Activities

The GMC holds an annual conference in the fall of every year that boasts informative workshops, exhibits, and notable speakers from the long term care profession. GCM also publishes Inside GCM and GCM Journal every quarter. These publications give readers up to date information on the latest geriatric care practices. GCM maintains a web based bulletin board service called Listserv that allows GCM members to post discussion topics and replies. This allows members across the country to communicate about long term care and further the profession.