Tips for Advocating for a Senior Family Member's Health
A lot of responsibility rests on the shoulders of family advocates. They have to make the best judgment call for someone else, even if that means ignoring personal feelings, and sometimes make emotionally-difficult choices. Couple that with navigating a complex healthcare system, and it becomes clear how challenging it can be for family advocates.
Thankfully, with some solid strategies in place, and the knowledge they already have about their loved one’s history, preferences, and challenges, family advocates can set themselves up for success and make their role more manageable.
Strategies for Effective Advocacy
Becoming an advocate for a senior loved one doesn’t have to be daunting. Like most things in caregiving, advocating for someone takes compassion, determination, confidence, and flexibility. It also takes a little proactive planning.
If you are a family advocate exploring ways to manage your loved one’s care, consider the strategies below.
Be Prepared
Make sure your parent or loved one signs a HIPAA release so that their providers are able to share important medical information with you. It’s also a good idea to have other legal documents in place, like a medical power of attorney or health care proxy.
Know Your Loved One’s Wishes
Have a conversation with your family member about their preferences and desires for care. The best time to do this is before they undergo surgery or treatment, in case any issues arise. Having a plan in place will help them feel empowered and in control during a vulnerable time, plus it ensures their wishes will be respected.
Have a Support Network
Don’t think that advocating for a family member means handling everything on your own. You are only the one ensuring things get done, and get done properly. You can certainly delegate things out to trusted family, friends, and professionals as needed. It’s difficult to handle every aspect of your aging loved one’s care on your own. Having a support system made up of friends and family members can make a difference. They’ll be able to offer advice, share their own experiences, or simply act as a sounding board when you’re in need.
Maintain Detailed Records
Keep detailed documentation of your family member’s medical records, medications, treatments, appointments, and insurance cards. This allows you to not only track their progress, but can be incredibly useful when your loved one has to visit new health care providers.
Ask Questions
It can be tough for the average person to understand medical jargon, particularly when a health crisis is taking place and emotions are high. Don’t be afraid to speak up and ask their provider questions. If you’re uneasy about questioning them, look to your support system for guidance.
Get a Second Opinion
There may be times when you’re concerned about your loved one’s diagnosis or treatment plan. Don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion. After all, their medical team wants you and your family member to feel confident about their care. Hearing a different perspective can be incredibly helpful.
Assisting Family Advocates with Reliable In-Home Caregiving
Being an advocate for a senior loved one offers peace of mind knowing someone wholly invested in the safety and well-being of your family member is overseeing their care. But remember, overseeing does not mean you have to go it alone. Recruit help from people in your family member’s support network.
You can also rely on local assistance from Visiting Angels Rockford. Our in-home care services are available to carry out personal and companion care tasks for your loved one around their home. We can help with things like grooming, meal prepping, light housekeeping–basically everything your loved one would need to maintain living at home safely and comfortably.
To learn more about our home care options or schedule a free consultation, fill out our online form or call 815-977-3452.