June Ninnemann, MSW, Director of Professional Relations for SeniorBridge Chicago, believes that older adults who are "aging successfully" tend to become more authentic versions of themselves. They know who they are, they are content with who they are, and they have clarified their values, beliefs and personalities. It’s a sort of crystallization process that produces self-integrity and peace of mind.

That process of self-definition and growth is one that applies to Ninnemann herself and to her career as a social worker and now geriatric care manager. Ninnemann began her career in 1972, covering all the bases as the only medical social worker on the staff of South Shore Hospital. From the Delivery Room to the Emergency Room, Ninnemann provided counseling, discharge planning, crisis intervention and other support services.

"My role was very broad," she recalls. "The hospital served a wide range of patients and I was working with all departments."

Eventually, Ninnemann left to attend graduate school at the University of Illinois, at the Jane Adams School of Social Work. Meanwhile, the launch of Medicare brought sweeping changes and hospitals needed more social workers to help manage the discharge planning and documentation. Social service departments were expanded and Ninnemann took positions in larger hospitals, where she often worked with geriatric patients.

"My interest in geriatrics stemmed from my jobs, but also came from my own experiences, having close relationships with my grandparents. My grandparents had gone through significant medical problems, but recovered and never seemed to have an ‘old’ mindset. They always maintained an interest in keeping current, and I never had a sense of them being from another age. I was naturally drawn to work with older adults because of my positive experiences with my family."

Ninnemann objects to stereotypes that depict the elderly as stuck in the past or narrow-minded. She believes that people choose to be open-minded and to look forward with optimism, no matter what their age. She says, "I do not subscribe to the notion that there is a ‘geriatric’ mindset. Age does not determine attitude or behavior; people always seem to me to feel and act younger than their ages," she says. "I ask my clients how old they feel, and they invariably tell me that they feel younger than their age."

It is essential, according to Ninnemann, that professionals who specialize in working with the older adult population have this openness themselves. "In geriatric care management, you have an opportunity to sit knee-to-knee with the person and get to see who they really are. This is even true for those with dementia. Their essence shines through."

Geriatric care management is a relatively new specialty within the health and human service professions. Geriatric care managers concentrate on issues related to aging and eldercare, and work with older clients and their families to help ease the social, medical, emotional and spiritual transitions of this life stage. Most care managers are nurses and social workers with geriatric experience and advanced degrees, although that is not a requirement. They identify the needs of the client through a comprehensive assessment process and then develop an individualized plan of care based on those needs, matching resources and services to problems. A geriatric care manager places a safety net under the client, relieving stress and producing peace of mind. SeniorBridge is a national leader in this specialized field and has locations all over the country.

Ninnemann feels that, to be successful in this role, one needs to be mindful of maintaining a professional therapeutic relationship. Due to the one-on-one nature of the interaction with clients, it is easy to feel an emotional attachment, but a care manager cannot step into the family’s shoes. Over-involvement leads to burnout and loss of effectiveness.

In addition, Ninnemann claims that attention to details is essential in this specialty. "Much time is spent on taking care of details. They may be small things, like making sure a client has something to wear to an appointment, but the small things add up to somebody’s life. Neglecting the details can lead to big problems later on."

Respect for the client is another essential factor. This translates into starting where the client is, avoiding assumptions and recognizing the need for privacy and confidentiality. A strong sense of advocacy enables Ninnemann to serve as a voice for the older adult, particularly in acquiring necessary services and referrals.

Ninnemann views her work as immensely satisfying. "Generally, there is a good outcome, which means, in this field, that the older person feels supported in their lifestyle and that the family and client accept the plan of care. I can’t think of anything I would rather be doing."