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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.
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