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Imagine…
you
suffer
chest
pains
and are
swept
off to
the ER.
The pain
meds
leave
you too
groggy
to make
good
decisions.
Or…
difficult
symptoms
result
in a
diagnosis
that
leaves
you
stunned.
You
leave
the
doctor’s
office
remembering
very
little
of what
you’ve
been
told.
Or…
you’ve
begun to
find it
confusing
to keep
track of
all your
medications.
You’re
concerned
you’ll
make a
mistake.
Your
loved
ones
live too
far away
to be
much
help.
What
will you
do?
These
are just
a few of
many
scenarios
that
require
us to
find
some
assistance
to be
sure we
get the
best
care and
stay
safe.
These
are the
times
that
call for
a
patient
advocate,
someone
else who
can help
us
understand
our
medical
status,
sort
through
options,
support
our
decision-making,
sit by
the
bedside
in the
hospital,
or take
care of
overwhelming
details
ranging
from
making
appointments
to
reviewing
medical
bills.
So who
can fill
that
role?
Some of
us are
lucky
enough
to have
a family
member
who can
advocate
for us.
A
spouse,
parent,
adult
child…
Someone
who can
remove
some of
the
pressure,
allowing
us to
focus on
healing.
Unless
you
think
emotions
will
interfere
with
their
capabilities
or
objectivity,
a family
advocate
might be
a good
choice.
Maybe
you have
a friend
who has
a
medical
background,
or is
generously
willing
to stick
up for
you and
your
medical
needs.
Or, your
pastor,
rabbi,
neighbor
or
co-worker
may know
of
someone
who can
help.
In the
past few
years,
we’ve
seen a
rise in
the
numbers
of
professional,
private
patient
advocates.
Some of
them
have
nursing
or other
medical
backgrounds.
They may
accompany
you to
medical
appointments,
or sit
by your
side in
the
hospital.
Others
are
experts
in
researching
treatment
options,
or
getting
permission
from
insurers
for
procedures
that
have
been
denied.
Professional
patient
advocates
work
for, and
are paid
directly
by the
patient
or a
caregiver.
Insurance
won’t
cover
their
services,
but for
those
who can
afford
one,
their
assistance
can be
priceless.
This
holiday
season
you’ll
probably
spend
time
with
family.
It’s a
great
time to
raise
the
question
about
who will
be
available
to
advocate
on your
behalf
when
necessary.
A family
member?
A
neighbor?
Or a
professional
patient
advocate?
The
conversation
will
help you
count
your
blessings,
and
bring
you
peace of
mind.
|
...............................
Find a
patient
advocate
to help
you.
Learn
more
about
how to
hire a
patient
advocate. |
