Eldementals

Eldementals Eldementals RN care management and aging life care management - website for those with complex disease processes, care situations, and their loved ones!

www.Eldementals.com Karen M. McPhail, MSN, RN has over 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry. She has been working since 2001 as a private Healthcare Consultant and Geriatric Care Manager in the DC Metro area. She specializes in boutique style case management for private clients. As a professional geriatric care manager, she has been educated in the various fields of human services, including case management, psychology, nursing, and gerontology. She is trained to assess, plan, coordinate, monitor, and provide services for the elderly and their families, with advocacy for older adults being her primary focus. She has served as a Senior Transplant Coordinator and Program Administrator for the Department of Transplantation and Ancillary Services at Georgetown University Hospital; as an Assistant Director of Nursing, a Director of Nursing / Wellness Director, and a VP Special Project Consultant for Manor Care Health Services; and as a Transplant Program Coordinator for the Liver Transplant Program at the University of Maryland. Karen attended Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pa (BSN, 1991), George Mason University , Fairfax, VA (MSN, 1996), and Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. (1999, NP Program). She is a member of the National Association of Case Management, the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA), the past President of the George Mason Nursing Alumni Association, a past board member of the National Kidney Foundation, a past Director and Founder of the Transplant Institute Foundation, a member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honors Society, a member of Zeta Tau Alpha, and has completed certification with the Alzheimers association and as a Clinical Transplant Coordinator. She has served as adjunct faculty for both Georgetown University and George Mason University Nursing Programs. She has been recognized on several occasions for her community service efforts on behalf of her area, has published work in the Journal of Nursing Administration, does private healthcare consulting for a variety of organizations, and is now developing this Geriatric focused blog titled "Eldementals™," which is a blog to support seniors and their caregivers.

It is clear that as one ages they often have more health concerns which at times are complex.   Having  a medical advoca...
01/11/2026

It is clear that as one ages they often have more health concerns which at times are complex.

Having a medical advocate such as an RN care manager is therefore critical to ensure transparency of information and to eliminate frequent healthcare errors.

At appointments having a clinician involved in consult discussions is beneficial to ensure that all areas are explained, options clarified and discussed, and appropriate questions asked. This supports informed decision making and patient understanding and involvement in their plan of care.

In care communities having an RN care manager as an advocate is critical to ensure expressed wishes are respected and quality of care is maintained.

RN care managers are exceptional advocates as they are that central person who knows all aspects of one's holistic care and expressed wishes. It is essential for a healthcare advocate to know the individual well, but also have strong clinical and communication skills. A collaborative yet assertive, approach is essential.

This is why our initial meet and greet sessions to learn more about our services is always free of charge. We want potential clients and families to feel comfortable with us, as the most important part of choosing an advocate and a care manager is finding someone you feel comfortable talking with who is an active listener, has strong skills and abilities, is respectful of expressed wishes and can be trusted to be caring, compassionate, and assertive when needed.




We often write based on recent experiences!  Senior relocation is much more than care community amenities - it is about ...
01/10/2026

We often write based on recent experiences! Senior relocation is much more than care community amenities - it is about proper holistic planning!

When patients and families are guided incorrectly when relocating it begins a cascade of problems impacting both cost and quality - even leading at times to extended hospital admission. As clinicians we are able to evaluate and guide clients and families correctly to avoid these challenges.

Transitions from the hospital to home, assisted living and memory care require specialized planning and guidance from an expert who understands clearly the clients expressed wishes and holistic care and service support needs in order to execute effective long term care planning.

Reach out today to learn more!

Celebrating 25 years of service in 2026!




In September of 2026 we will be celebrating 25 years of  Care Management and Healthcare Consulting services!  Look for m...
01/07/2026

In September of 2026 we will be celebrating 25 years of Care Management and Healthcare Consulting services! Look for more exciting news to come!



As care managers we often collaborate on care with hospice organizations to ensure that all aspects of care are being ma...
01/07/2026

As care managers we often collaborate on care with hospice organizations to ensure that all aspects of care are being managed effectively and in accordance with expressed wishes.

Many people do not realize that hospice support isn't really 24/7 at home or in a care community; it's intermittent, with nurses visiting generally weekly, aides coming a couple times a week for around an hour for personal care tasks, etc. Even with intermittent support from social workers and chaplains, family remains primarily responsible for keeping care on track, reporting changes, and asking for assistance when needed which often adds significantly to the already high level of stress.

This is where we come in by monitoring client symptoms and changing needs, providing medical advocacy and guidance for comfort, and to ensure that no matter what time of the day or night that families have a person who truly knows all aspects of their loved ones care on call to answer the phone immediately and provide the support and guidance needed in real time with no delays.

When a request for continuous care support is denied, which often sadly happens, we can provide assistance at the bedside upon request as well as medical advocacy, and individualized end of life care plans and instructions to ensure that comfort and expressed wishes are always supported and that families know what to expect even in the final moments.





Happy Monday!   As clinicians we often write blogs and posts based on recent experiences.  Sadly proper pain management ...
01/05/2026

Happy Monday! As clinicians we often write blogs and posts based on recent experiences. Sadly proper pain management is often missed in those with dementia progression.

Dementia stress behaviors at times described as - agitation, yelling, hitting, withdrawing, fidgeting, or restlessness often mask underlying chronic pain, which is common, but frequently missed as dementia patients cannot always verbalize this and facial expressions are at times blunted.

Caregivers often misinterpret these actions as just "behaviors," or "agitation," missing the chronic pain aspects that are at times experienced as part of dementia progression or through other co occurring conditions such as arthritis, constipation, infection, or un noticed injury, leading to inadequate treatment, increased patient suffering, caregiver burden, and worsening cognitive/emotional aspects.

Significant changes in behavioral patterns warrant more investigation and not just a change in behavioral medications. As RN care managers and experts in dementia care we act as educators, medical advocates, care navigators, and change agents to support effective care regimes and patient support. We are trained to monitor patterns, and guide team members and families in maximizing comfort, cooperation, safety, and functionality!



RN care managers make life easier and better for patients with complex care challenges and for those wanting to do advan...
01/02/2026

RN care managers make life easier and better for patients with complex care challenges and for those wanting to do advanced care planning in the new year. Planning for the future is the key to long term health and wellness!

01/02/2026

Upcoming programs!

Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging Caregiver Services has several programs planned to kick off 2026.

Email - aaasupport@loudoun.gov or call (571) 439-9776 for more information or to register for programs.

Jan. 22
Hearing Screenings

9:00am-3:00pm

Conducted by the Northern Viginia Resource Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Persons

In-person program at the Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging

742 Miller Drive, Leesburg, VA

Feb. 4
Paperwork Without the Panic: Getting Organized for 2026

1:00-2:00pm Complimentary binder for attendees

Presenter: Anne Lyons with StepOne Organizing and Productivity Services

In-person program at the Loudoun County Area Agency on Aging

742 Miller Drive, Leesburg, VA

Feb. 11
A Valentine Family Game Night

6:00pm-7:30pm Dinner provided

In-person program at the Loudoun County Adult Day Center - Leesburg

16501 Meadowview Court, Leesburg, VA

01/01/2026

Address

Great Falls, VA

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Eldementals posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Eldementals:

Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn
Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share via Email
Share on WhatsApp Share on Instagram Share on Telegram