Care coordinator (case manager)

What it is

A care coordinator (or case manager) is a person who helps organize and connect the various aspects of care for someone with a complex condition such as hydrocephalus. They assist families in navigating the healthcare and support systems.

Understanding Care coordinator (case manager)

Caring for hydrocephalus can involve multiple providers (neurosurgery, neurology, therapies, primary care, and others), appointments, services, and sources of support. A care coordinator can help tie these together — assisting with scheduling and organizing appointments, connecting families to services (such as therapies, early intervention, or community resources), facilitating communication among providers, and helping families navigate insurance or other practical matters. The availability and exact role of care coordinators vary by setting (they may be based in a clinic, hospital, or program). Understanding that this support exists helps families see that they do not have to navigate a complex system entirely on their own, and that a care coordinator can ease the practical burden of managing multiple aspects of care.

Why it matters

Understanding the care coordinator's role helps families see that support exists for navigating the complex, multi-provider care that hydrocephalus can involve — easing the practical burden of organizing appointments, services, and communication.