LLC
Karen Ackerman, RN, BSN, CCM
Owner, Founder of Alongside You
317-403-4621 cell
317-350-8863 fax
Mon-Fri: 8am-5pm
​
What is an Aging Life Care Manager®?
Are you or a family member feeling anxious or overwhelmed? Do any of the following scenarios sound familiar? If so, let's talk!
-
I'm concerned about my wife's declining health and recent falls. I don't know what to do.
​
-
I live out of state and I'm concerned about my dad living on his own. I would like to look into other options for him.
​
-
My husband was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and I need to begin planning for his long-term care needs.
​
-
My father is in the hospital or in a rehab facility and I need help coordinating transitions of care and setting up services.
​
-
I work full-time and I need an advocate to go to doctors' appointments with my mom and help manage her medical care.
Compassionate. Trustworthy. Knowledgeable.
How to Get Started
Call or schedule online a free 30 minute consultation to discuss your situation and see how Alongside You can be of service.
Alongside You will tailor the care to your needs. Care options include:
​
Complete Person-Centered Assessment: Gathering all the information needed in order to understand the client's medical situation, goals for care, resource and services needs, and develop a plan of care.
Care Management: This includes setting up services, coordinating care, ordering supplies, attending doctor's appointments and care plan meetings.
​
Continuity of Care: This allows for regular health monitoring to address any new or worsening symptoms before they get out of control; thus, reducing unnecessary emergency room or hospital visits and duplication of services.
​
\
My Services
Advocacy and Transition of Care Services
Meet with clients and their families wherever they are, be it in their home, hospital, rehab facility or in long term care to assist with transitions, care coordination, advocacy services, and finding appropriate living options. Arrange for skilled home care, companion care, palliative or hospice care and order medical equipment and supplies.
​
Advanced
Care Planning
Assist in completing Physician Order of Scope of Treatment (POST) and Health Care Representative forms. assist with referrals for Medicaid Waiver, veterans benefits, POA documents, wills and trusts. Understanding long-term care insurance benefits and assistance starting a claim.
Attend Doctors' Appointments & Care Plan Meetings
Assist with managing and attending doctors' appointments and care plan meetings while in rehab, assisted living, or long-term care. Clinical oversight and education regarding medical conditions. Patient care portal through My Junna care management software allows client, doctors, and family to be on same page about client’s goals of care.
Dementia Care and
Resources
Provide education and support services for families dealing with a loved ones cognitive decline. Facilitate neuro-cognitive assessments and arrange for or provide resources for adult day programs, support groups, caregiver training. and palliative care.
Help with Difficult Conversations
Facilitate conversations to help clients and their families discuss, options for care, living arrangements, home safety, driving and long term goals. Assess the clinical situation to identify the appropriate level of care and evaluate the home and community settings to determine the most appropriate living situation.
Medication Education & Review
Educate clients on all aspects of their medications, including the risks vs. the benefits, polypharmacy, and address any concerns with compliance. Facilitate conversations with medical providers about any concerns.
Serving You, Seamlessly
HIPAA Compliant
Client Portal
Secure Messaging
Effective care requires effective systems. That's why Alongside You employs next-level Care Management Software to keep your information secure with full HIPAA compliance, keeping all parties on the same page with an easy-to-use client portal, and providing clear communication through secure messaging.
​
For more information, download our brochure and other helpful information about Alongside You.
​
​
About Me
Meet Karen Ackerman, RN, BSN, CCM
I began my career as a recreational therapist after graduating from Indiana University. I worked in long-term care facilities where I learned how vital social and leisure activities were in keeping seniors engaged and active. I then decided to go back to school to pursue nursing and I have been a nurse for over 25 years. I worked at Riley and I.U. North hospitals in pediatric oncology and adult medicine where I had many different roles over the years, including charge nurse, mentor, and discharge planner.
​
For the last 10 years, I have worked solely with seniors in care management. In these roles, I saw first hand the challenges patients and their families faced in navigating the healthcare system and transitions of care. I am passionate about advocating and educating clients and their families about their health, so they feel empowered to ask questions in order to receive the care and services they need.
​
My goal as an Aging Life Care Manager® is to come alongside overwhelmed seniors and their families to listen to their concerns, and develop and put a plan of action in place, so they can live their best lives possible!
​
I am a member of the Commission for Case Managers and Academy of Certified Case Managers. In addition, I am an Advanced Professional with the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) and a member of the mid-west Chapter.
​
I have been married for 27 years to my husband, Mike and together we have 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren. In my spare time, I enjoy being with family and friends, riding bikes, walking our dog, Bruno, reading, and traveling.
​
I serve Indianapolis and surrounding counties.