Health advocacy people helping seniors photo

Health Advocates: Helping Seniors Get the Care they Need

How to Help Seniors Get the Care and Resources they Need

We all know how difficult it can be to keep track of doctor recommendations, medications, advice, insurance, and costs when we’re dealing with our own medical care. Compound that with the confusion of dementia or reduced short term memory, and a decreased ability to communicate their needs and challenges, and the process for your senior becomes even more daunting. Your loved one depends on someone to help keep the big picture straight.

Advocate helping a seniorHow can you be an effective advocate for your loved one?
Most importantly, you need to care. When you care about their health and general well-being, you are more inclined to ask the deeper questions, seek out additional opinions, research other approaches, and push back on unnecessary expenses. Other helpful traits to have are good organizational skills, some free time, physical aptitude to bring your senior to and from multiple appointments, and social skills
to work with the various health professionals who are collaborating on your senior’s care plan. (Source: Johns Hopkins Medicine)

“A health advocate can be a spouse, relative, friend, or caregiver that you trust. The older you are, the more important it is to have another person with you during visits. Having two people hear the discussion and making sure they understand is much better than just one set of ears.”John Burton, M.D. Johns Hopkins expert

If you are unable to hire professional advocacy assistance, many times local senior centers can help. Often, they are familiar with resources and are committed to helping your senior maintain some level of independence. Senior centers administer a range of programs such as congregate meals, transportation services, and community education.
(Source: National Council on Aging)

In addition, they will need the daily personal health advocacy provided by checking in on their routine, health, weight and mobility, and prescriptions. You are an extension of your senior’s mind and spirit, and will be able to be a better advocate for their health when in the doctor’s office or at the pharmacy. Even if you are working with a professional advocate, you will be able to share this information.

“When you need a professional health advocate, Prime Horizon is here to make sure your loved one’s needs are being met.”

One of the most important ways to advocate for your senior daily is helping with medication. Keep an eye out for these deterrents to taking their medications appropriately:

Memory. Brainstorm creative ways that will help them remember to take the medications – alarms, notes, or pill boxes. Vision. Sometimes they simply can’t see well enough to read the correct dosing. Ask the pharmacist to print the labels in large print. Hearing. They may not want to admit that they can’t hear the instructions the pharmacist or doctor is giving them. Be their ears. Dexterity. Can they open the bottles
easily and are the pills pre-split? Do they need your help administering eye drops or inhaled medications? Swallowing. If your loved one has difficulty swallowing, follow up with their medical team to determine if there is a liquid, patch, or other form of dosing that can be used.

Health advocates, whether they are paid professionals, free placements, or family members, provide several services:

  • Coordinate with Medicaid, Medicare, and insurance companies
  • Help get the patient to doctor visits, testing, and procedures
  • Track prescriptions and help ensure they take proper amounts at correct times
  • Research alternative therapies and treatments and discuss options with the senior and their medical team
  • Make sure that things like Power of Attorney and Living Wills are in place

What is a Professional Health Advocate?
They are often individuals with higher degrees in nursing, social work, or gerontology that help seniors with a variety of issues, including those related to medical, financial, and insurance problems. They may work out of an office, but will usually make home or facility visits. The best ones are kind, knowledgeable, and results-driven when it comes to getting your senior’s needs met.
Source: Institute on Aging

PRIME HORIZON advocates can help you with the following:
  • A complete assessment with care recommendations (usually completed in the senior’s home)
  • Assistance finding appropriate housing and transitioning to the new living environment such as an assisted living facility
  • Reviewing all bills from medical professionals, hospitals, and insurance companies for accuracy
  • Identifying and securing community services such as Meals on Wheels, adult daycare, or wheelchair transportation services
  • Handling paperwork to ensure service delivery
Would you like to receive a free assessment? Call us at (888) 246-6811
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *