Patients who are elderly or have multiple or serious medical conditions may find it difficult to schedule and keep track of their appointments. We can help by scheduling those appointments, reminding the patient about upcoming appointments, and accompanying patients when needed. We specialize in assisting families with seniors in assisted living, families who live remotely with parents living independently but needing some assistance, and parents of adults who live independently but need a little help coping with the medical system, relieving the family of the day-to-day demands associated with care.
Researching Disease Diagnoses and Treatment Options
Being diagnosed with a disease or condition can be frightening and confusing for patients and their families. Diagnosis of a serious illness can be devastating. While we do not diagnose symptoms or recommend treatment, we can research diseases and treatment options that you can discuss with your doctor.
Get organizedand be in control.
Dealing with a serious or chronic illness is stressful, and can be confusing. Having up-to-date, accurate records can determine the quality of your care. We can help you gather the records you need and get them into an easy-to-use format.
If you take multiple medications, we can facilitate a "brown bag" medication review to help prevent drug interactions. If you are under the care of multiple doctors and don't feel like your providers are on the same page, we can help facilitate communication and identify a "point person" or gatekeeper for your medical care.
Insurance and billing errors can be expensive.
The American healthcare system can be quite confusing, and it is sometimes easy for patients to fall through the cracks. Errors in billing and mistaken rejections of coverage by insurance companies cost patients and their families needless expense every year.
We can help examine your medical bills and health insurance policies, helping to ensure you are being billed accurately and you're getting the coverage you've paid for.
Post-surgery care is vital to healing.
When a patient is sent home after surgery, the healing process has just begun. Proper follow-up, including physician visits and prescription medications, is vital to recovery.
Readmission to the hospital can be avoided by following cleaning and activity instructions, making and keeping follow-up appointments, getting prescriptions filled and taking medications as directed. But for many patients, particularly those without relatives nearby, following those instructions can be a challenge.
Harry can work with hospital discharge planners and patients to help ensure prescriptions are filled and instructions are understood. We can also help connect the patient with hands-on care and other services.
Connecting Patients and Loved Ones with Services
Sometimes a patient needs a support group to help feel less isolated while battling illness. Sometimes a family caregiver needs a couple of hours off. Family members may feel a loved one is at risk living at home, but are unsure where to turn.
Harry can help with information and services for patients and their families. Some of those services are free. Call for help finding the services that can help improve quality of life.
Harry McClard | Patient Advocate Consultant | harry@harrymcclard.org
