- get answers and information from your family member's doctor;
- be heard and understood by your loved one's healthcare team;
- obtain access to in-home or community-based services; or
- make sense of multiple sources of (sometimes contradictory) information?
If so, these tips can help. Adapted from a report by MetLife Mature Market Institute, here are some suggestions for becoming a successful healthcare advocate for your family member:
Identify a point of contact on the healthcare team. This could be a doctor, nurse, social worker, or other professional highly involved in your loved one's care. The person should be knowledgeable about Alzheimer's disease, the healthcare system, and the inner workings of the healthcare team.
Acknowledge and assert yourself as a crucial part of the healthcare team. Communicate openly and regularly with the healthcare team so that it's aware of any changes in your family member's status. Write down a list of questions before doctor's appointments and meetings with the health care team, noting the most important questions to ask first. Stay calm and positive during your communications (even when you feel frustrated), yet be persistent if your questions are not being answered.
Include your family member in the decision making as much as possible. Keep in mind that decision-making ability varies from person to person. Your loved one may not be able to make financial decisions anymore, but he might still be able to articulate his healthcare preferences.
Write everything down. This includes your plan of care for your relative, which should be broken down into goals and specific tasks that are manageable for you. Also keep a written record of key contacts, appointments, healthcare information, and the outcome of each doctor's appointment.
Becoming a healthcare advocate for your family member takes time. But these tips can help you feel more confident and organized while working with your loved one's healthcare team. It's also a good idea to ask for input and advice from other caregivers, either at a local support group or at our online discussion forum.
Source:
Helpful hints: Advocating for a family member in healthcare situations. MetLife Mature Market Institute. 2008. http://www.metlife.com/FileAssets/MMI/MMICPAdvocatinghints.pdf
