BECOME YOUR LOVED ONE’S GREATEST HEALTH AND CARE ADVOCATE

In the current fragmented healthcare system, patients often face challenges and can easily get lost in the shuffle. They are passed from one physician to another, from one institution to another, with little coordination. As a result, it becomes crucial for you to take charge and ensure that your loved one receives the best and most appropriate care, whether they are in a doctor’s office, a hospital, or a long-term care facility. The responsibility of coordinating their healthcare falls on your shoulders.

Good Care Starts with Planning Regardless of whether your loved one is living at home, in an assisted living facility, or a skilled nursing facility, they should have a primary healthcare provider. Designate a family member as the primary caregiver, responsible for keeping track of all healthcare aspects, including physicians, medications, medical records, and appointments. It is important to have a copy of your loved one’s Healthcare Power of Attorney and HIPAA readily available and understand their contents.

Good Care Requires Accessibility Ensure that your loved one receives timely care when it is needed by keeping up with regularly scheduled appointments. If transportation poses a challenge, explore available resources in your community for elder transportation. Keep in mind that Medicaid might limit access to certain facilities based on location. For example, a skilled nursing facility with an open bed may not be conveniently located near your family. In such cases, consider getting on the waiting list of a closer facility and transfer your loved one when appropriate.

Good Care is Proactive Obtaining timely and appropriate care can prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. Promote preventive care, such as annual physicals and vaccinations, to facilitate early detection and treatment of conditions. Seek additional help with caregiving before the primary caregiver becomes overwhelmed. This can potentially extend the duration your loved one can stay at home if the primary caregiver avoids burnout.

Good Care Relies on Systematic Approaches Establishing systems can help caregivers prevent errors when faced with complex or routine tasks. In assisted living or skilled nursing facilities, having well-defined systems in place aids in maintaining the quality of care provided.

Good Care is Individualized Care should be tailored to meet the unique physical and psychosocial needs of each individual. If your loved one receives care from an external source at home or resides in an assisted living or skilled nursing facility, engage in discussions with the staff to communicate their needs and preferences. Regularly update this information as necessary.

Good Care Involves the Loved One and the Family Whenever possible, involve your loved one in decisions regarding their care. Ensure that any care involving them is explained before it is administered. As their advocate, don’t hesitate to ask questions when something is unclear. Request the doctor, caregiver, or other service providers to restate or provide further explanations. Attend all appointments and care plan meetings with your loved one, taking notes to keep track of important information.

Good Care is Comprehensive Your loved one’s physical and psychosocial condition should be reassessed whenever it changes. They should have a goal-oriented plan of care in place. Discussions about end-of-life decisions should be incorporated into the care plan.

Good Care is Measurable Check references for Home Care Companies and Assisted Living Facilities to ensure their quality. Utilize online resources like Medicare.gov to access statistics on Skilled Nursing Facilities.

Good Care Requires Consistency Consistency in care is especially important in Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Facilities. Whenever possible, request that your loved one receives care from the same caregivers every day. Establishing a routine at home is particularly beneficial for loved ones with dementia.

Good Care is Accountable Companies or facilities providing services to your loved one must be accountable to both you and your loved one. If you are dissatisfied with the services, keep detailed notes and address your concerns in a matter-of-fact manner. It is essential to remain calm, polite, and professional. Remember, maintaining a calm approach is more likely to yield positive results.

To Sum it Up: It is important for elders and their advocates to educate themselves about healthcare issues, seek guidance from knowledgeable advocates, and take on the role of care coordinators when necessary. Understanding their healthcare rights is vital in ensuring the best possible care for your loved one.