Being Your Personal Advocate

Listening carefully to your doctor and asking questions about a diagnosis or test results can help you get better care. But here’s the problem: Just when you should be paying close attention to what your doctor is saying, you may be stunned by the news you’ve received. That’s when having a personal patient advocate can help. 

A health advocate is a hired professional who accompanies you to your appointments and asks questions, writes down information, and speaks up for you so you can better understand your illness and get the care you need. 

Research shows that quality health care requires taking an active role in decisions about your care. If you’re facing a difficult medical decision, it’s a good idea to bring someone with you who can help focus on your care when you’re not fully up to it.

Having an advocate at medical appointments or during a hospital stay can ensure that you get the information you need to manage your health.  Our Personal Patient Advocates understand the complicated healthcare system and our local community resources. It is our aim to help you navigate your way.

Services we offer to help you navigate your health conditions:

• Your health history will be gathered from you, your health professionals and family where appropriate after signing patient privacy (HIPAA) form. The information gathered will be used to build your personal health care plan.
• Assemble a master Medical reference binder for each client that includes relevant doctors, lab results and more so your healthcare information is always in one location.
• Finding the right doctor to care for you.
• Records review and discussion of current treatment plans.. are they working? 
• Investigate and research treatment options for consideration by you and your health care professionals.
• Arrange, and help you prepare for medical and professional appointments and tests.
• Accompany you to medical appointments and tests to help relay any concerns or questions you may have.
• We understand medical language, complicated diagnoses and treatment plans. We explain these in a way that you can understand as many times as you need us to, helping you make better healthcare decisions.
• We will coordinate and communicate your health information and treatment plan to multiple health care providers. Our Advocates attend meetings on your behalf and ensure your whole healthcare team is on the same page and working together for your best possible outcome.
• Help manage the transition from a hospital to home ensuring continuity of care to avoid readmission. 
• Thorough assessments of your home can keep you safe, reduce the risk of falls, and allows us to recommend partners to do the job right.
• House or pet sit while you are in the hospital.
• Coordinate your care needs with community and government resources.
• Provide care giver relief/support.
• Pain Management and Palliative Care Consulting – finding the right resources.
• Healthcare proxy and advance directive assistance.
• Help manage transition from a home to an assisted living facility and ensuring continuity of care.
• Finally, with your permission we will keep your family members updated on your healthcare journey.