Health advocates are a relatively new concept. The health benefits provided by using money to purchase better healthcare result in financial savings, lower hospitalization rates, quicker healthcare procedures, and better health outcomes. Instead of thinking of a health advocate as a supervisor of your healthcare, think of them as an overseer of your health. They will make sure all of your providers are collaborating properly and in communication. Your advocate will keep you informed about concerns, helping you avoid hospitalizations and expensive medicines.
Health Advocates: Registered Nurses
Registered nurses who have extensive hospital experience in different capacities are essentially everyday health advocates. At the hospital, in the doctor's office, and at home, they have a good grasp of caring for others. Nurses have a wide range of expertise, particularly when it comes to healthcare and medicine. They also have an understanding of the various ways in which the healthcare system functions. A healthcare advocate knows the system well and can assist you in care and accelerate your stay.
The Health Advocate's Job
The advocate's job doesn't end at the office or hospital. A health condition will not go away when you return home if you are still afflicted by it. You've still got difficulties at home, but you're alone. An advocate is there to answer any questions and assist you in adjusting to your personal health issues. When responding to a query the customer hasn't figured out, the advocate can speak with several professionals from various fields.
Health Advocates Are Problem Solvers
In the many cases when consumers have difficulties working with healthcare providers, hospitals, or insurance companies until a problem arises, it is clear that it is time to seek assistance. Health advocates smooth out difficulties with your health providers with minimal trouble on your side. They also help you avoid issues with your health altogether. Since the private health advocate is not beholden to any particular health-related organizations, they should always be your pick over one who works for the hospital, physician's office, or insurance company.
Elderly Patients Need Assistance
Add an elderly patient to the mix, and you will likely be in a spin due to the challenges of trying to deal with their fears and concerns as they adapt to an unfamiliar environment, including understaffed or underprepared doctors and nurses. A move to quickly get patients home, allowing them to stay in a safer environment, is always a worthy goal.
It's especially difficult for family members. They need to constantly keep an eye on the nurses who, due to a lack of manpower, tend to dart from room to room, working to assist their patients but who will ultimately be unable to help patients in need. Then, the doctors are not always thorough enough in assessing the patient's past history. Physicians work quickly to reach conclusions and assessments that are sometimes incorrect. The overuse of prescription drugs is prevalent in managing complex patients (those who may require extra resources) in the short term, which could also place your aging parent at risk.
Health Advocates and Hospitals
Hospital environments can be very challenging for the elderly, and the situation is exceedingly terrible for them. Most senior patients will be confused about their condition and their health care due to concerns that occur.
It's a fact some elderly persons live by themselves, with no family members around to speak on their behalf. Their needs will be overlooked, disregarded, and sadly missed. If they are in a private room and don't have family in town or have no family members in general, they will most likely never see them. Their hearts ache when they are mistreated or when physicians and personnel skip specific steps that are needed.
Health advocates successfully deal with physicians, nurses, and administrators. The need for a healthy patient advocate is obvious.
What a Health Advocate Can Do
A health advocate can make sure that an elderly patient's interests and safety are safeguarded. Healthcare is such a significant expense that the patient's best interests must come first. Meanwhile, Emergency rooms are overcrowded, critical health concerns go undetected, programs and treatments discontinued, diagnostic tests are frequently delayed, and exhausted nurses are left with a mountain of work.
Healthcare Advocates and Patients With Serious Medical Conditions
Certain patient illnesses require even more robust and practical assistance.
Healthcare advocates can take over organizing the situation, helping by having a more positive influence. Advocate sessions on behalf of patients are beneficial and lead to better understanding.
Here's What You Can Do
Call Golden Guardians, your Medicare Advocacy Service, today at 954-345-1214 or contact us here.