| The job of caregiver, though usually unpaid, is one | | | | surrogates should in turn take a more active role |
| of the most complex and challenging roles anyone | | | | in the process . . . to keep careful records of all |
| will undertake. There is no how-to manual that can | | | | medications." Patients and caregivers can cut |
| adequately coach people on what it takes to keep | | | | down on the likelihood of injury by creating a |
| a loved one safe and well once he or she has | | | | simple medical record that is brought to all |
| serious medical problems. | | | | doctor's appointments and hospital admissions. |
| Whether you have a loved one living with you | | | | In addition to harm done by medications, what |
| full-time or you manage his/her care from 3,000 | | | | about all of the interventions that are offered to |
| miles away, chances are you will be called at | | | | older patients or those with serious illness? We've |
| some point to act as that person's advocate. So, | | | | all heard stories about someone who has had the |
| along with the responsibilities that many of the | | | | wrong leg amputated or the wrong kidney |
| more than 35 million caregivers in this country | | | | removed, and are horrified that such things can |
| face on a daily basis, such as feeding, cooking, | | | | still happen despite the high level of care available |
| bathing or overseeing hired help, you will also need | | | | in this country. These are obvious cases in which |
| to be a voice for that person if he/she isn't able | | | | people received the wrong care-care that only |
| to ask crucial questions or find important | | | | does them harm. In addition, another study |
| information. | | | | showed a 13 percent increase in the number of |
| Physically or mentally impaired older people need | | | | procedures done on Medicare patients during their |
| advocacy in many areas. Some examples include | | | | final hospital admission that did not result in a |
| dealing with housing or transportation offices, the | | | | corresponding increase in life expectancy. We |
| Social Security Administration, and sorting through | | | | have more technology to use at the end of life, |
| Medicare and Medicaid. Many seniors are entitled | | | | but it isn't always the right choice. |
| to benefits they are unaware of and need | | | | Because of this, it is critical that older persons and |
| someone to help them find information on vital | | | | those with chronic serious illness (and their |
| programs. Some elders are eligible for reduced or | | | | advocates) become well informed when |
| frozen rent rates, reduction of transportation | | | | treatments and procedures are being offered. |
| costs and/or specialized transportation to help | | | | Some important questions to ask are: |
| them remain independent. Find your local area | | | | What will be the added benefit of this? |
| agencies on aging at eldercare.gov for more | | | | What are the possible side effects? |
| information on what your loved one may qualify | | | | Will it affect my ability to function independently? |
| for. | | | | What are the possibilities if I choose not to do |
| Perhaps the most important area for advocacy is | | | | this? |
| the health care system. From prescribed | | | | Another important step to take is creating |
| medications to medical testing and hospitalizations, | | | | advance directives-a living will or health care |
| studies show that older Americans must be | | | | proxy, depending on which state you live in. |
| proactive in understanding the health care they | | | | Discussing these important issues with your loved |
| receive to protect themselves from errors and | | | | one will be immensely helpful should the day come |
| injuries. Those who can't do so need someone to | | | | that you must make health care decisions on |
| speak up on their behalf. | | | | someone else's behalf. |
| Older people need a good advocate within the | | | | Sometimes making big medical decisions can |
| health care system. There is no doubt that being | | | | seem overwhelming. One place to turn for |
| hospitalized puts older patients at risk for a whole | | | | support if you are grappling with various |
| host of problems, including infections, falls, | | | | treatment choices is your hospital's palliative care |
| confusion, weakness and bedsores. In addition, a | | | | team. This interdisciplinary form of care, now a |
| 2006 report by the Institute of Medicine revealed | | | | recognized medical subspecialty for physicians, is |
| that hospitalized Medicare patients experienced an | | | | focused on relief of suffering for those faced |
| estimated 400,000 preventable injuries each year | | | | with serious health issues. The services a palliative |
| from adverse drug reactions. Another 800,000 | | | | care team provides are usually covered by |
| adverse events were found in nursing homes, plus | | | | Medicare or other types of insurance and are |
| 530,000 more in outpatient settings. | | | | billed just like treatments from any other medical |
| One of the major recommendations that came | | | | specialist. |
| from this study was that "patients and their | | | | |