Patient Advocacy

A relationship with a Patient Advocate can allow the children of the elderly person to maintain their parent/child relationship and for the spouse to remain a spouse, while someone else manages the situation. When a child or spouse is providing the care to the patient, the quality time they have to be there for their loved one is limited. The Patient Advocate can handle the difficult issues, address the immediate problem, and remain connected once the crisis passes, allowing those around the patient to maintain their primary relationship.

When children live out of town, it is imperative to have someone checking on their parent. This is not a process that can be managed long-distance. Even as in-touch as we are with technology, it is always good to work with a Patient Advocate to have an independent assessment of the situation.

Here is a list of some of the many and varied services I offer as a Patient Advocate and Care Manager.

• Nursing home and hospital advocacy – It is best to have someone who knows the system watching over the patient, helping them and their family make decisions. It is good to have a patient advocate that can be there daily to check on progress and procedures.
• Coordination of in-home help – When it becomes necessary to have help in the home, a patient advocate can coordinate caregivers and watch closely for signs of abuse or neglect.
• Daily in person or by telephone assurance visits – Whether an elder is at home, in the hospital or skilled nursing or in assisted living, having a visit from someone that knows them and has their best interest at heart will help alleviate stress and promote healing.
• Medication management – As we age, medications and supplements need to be monitored to ensure that health care professionals are aware of another providers care. Sometimes one doctor will prescribe a medication and another doctor will prescribe something that conflicts with it. Having documentation of all medications and supplements provided to all health care professionals can be a life saver.
• Nutrition and dietary guidance – Having someone monitor nutrition and diet can ensure that dietary needs are being met. One of the concerns of aging is appetites decrease and sometimes fluid consumption lessons at the same time. A watchful patient advocate can keep an eye on food and fluid consumption and help plan healthy meals.
• Home safety evaluations – Having someone keep a watchful eye for hazards in their living space will help reduce some of the risks associated with elder living.
• Help with healthcare bill auditing, review and payment – A patient advocate will keep track of healthcare bills, insurance billing and patient co pays to confirm accurate billing and timely payment of any co-payments while handling any discrepancies when necessary.