MUM ISN'T THE WORD
Posted by Victori on: March 16th, 2011
You’re a shopper, a chauffer, a shoulder to lean on. As a family caregiver, you assume a number of responsibilities to help your loved one, as well as to make certain he or she always receives the best care possible. But no role is more important than being that person’s personal health advocate. In this capacity, you’ll act as a liaison with the doctor’s office, hospital staff and various healthcare personnel to facilitate the flow of crucial, and potentially lifesaving, information.This may sound straightforward enough, but it’s a duty that should not be taken lightly.
To be an effective health advocate, you must:
- familiarize yourself fully with your loved one’s current condition;
- understand the state of your loved one’s physical and emotional needs;
- become well-versed regarding all daily medications and any possible side effects;
- ensure that the doctor’s recommendations are being followed.
In addition to this knowledge and oversight—and equally important—you must have the confidence to voice your questions, observations and concerns. If you’re confused as to why a certain test is being ordered or a medication prescribed, inquire. If you’re puzzled by the conclusions a doctor reaches, question them. And, if you’re presented with conflicting recommendations from healthcare providers, speak up.
While there’s a fine line between being involved and being overbearing, it’s necessary for you, as a caregiver, to foster open lines of communication—and this includes questioning decisions concerning your loved one’s health.
With the seemingly unending parade of tests, medications, treatments, medical doctors and other experts, trying to understand your loved one’s condition can often feel overwhelming. But a family caregiver’s job is to listen carefully, ask questions, and be prepared to raise any relevant concerns.You’re in the trenches on a day-to-day basis so you may witness changes doctors won’t. Once a closed-door community, the practice of medicine has evolved into a more active “give and take” relationship between physicians, patients and their family caregivers. Experience shows that acting as an informed, engaged caregiver will result in a more well-balanced exchange —and ultimately it will lead to a higher standard of care for that special person in your care.
Stay on Track with These Three R’s of Advocacy
Remember the facts and information that are central to your loved one’s health.
Remind healthcare providers when you hear something that conflicts with your daily observations.
Represent your loved one by being a knowledgeable custodian of his or her health and well-being.