Last Updated on August 4, 2020
The three key components of case management are linking, monitoring, and coordinating services for their clients. One of the primary reasons people seek case management is to be linked to resources. The linking process is similar to service coordination. However, linking is a little less involved for the case manager. Linking involves the process of getting the resource to the client. The case manager serves as the liaison between the resource and the client. In many cases, this is all the assistance that is needed. In other cases, the case manager may have to walk the client through more steps. At that point, it becomes more of a service coordination process. The two primary methods case managers use to link people to services are through referrals and sharing resources.
Referrals
The referral process
is the primary and most time consuming
form of linking. The referral can be as
simple as a phone call to check for openings or as complex as completing and submitting
a referral for a client. Referrals can also be a simple word of mouth suggestion
to help the client get what they need. I’ve always suggested that case managers
are some of the most important people in the healthcare system because they
serve as the “middle man”; ensuring people are linked to the services they
need. Case managers are also important to service providers for obvious
reasons. Case managers are a key referral source for some of the following
service providers:
Doctors
Psychologists
Therapists
Group Homes
Day Support Programs
In-Home Support
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Sharing Resources
Case managers often have access to a variety of community
resources. Information on community resources and programs usually reach the
case managers before they reach the general population. New regulations and
proposed changes to services are often not realized by the consumer until it’s
already too late. It’s important to
share this information with clients and their families. Email is starting to become the preferred method of receiving information. Email is a great way to
provide information and resources quickly.
Some of the information that can be quickly shared includes:
Provider Lists
Community Activities
Activity Calendars
Upcoming Events
Public Information Forums
Linkage is a subtle but important aspect of case management services.
Clients and their families often rely on case managers to point them in the
right direction and provide vital information. Linkage is the first step to ensuring
that people get the services they need. If linkage is all that is needed, case managers can then just monitor services put in place. If more assistance is needed, case managers then transition
to the coordination phase and provide more assistance as needed.
