1. Give a Voice to Your Health Concerns HOW TO BE A PATIENT ADVOCATE
BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE
ADVOCATE FOR ANOTHER
ADVOCATE FOR ALL SENIORS
HOW TO TALK TO DOCTORS
ADDRESSING YOUR NEEDS
WHERE TO GET HELP

2. Caryn Isaacs, Patient Advocate
30 years experience
recognized expert
respected by doctors
researcher
analyst
family liaison
visionary C
Caryn Isaacs, Patient Advocate

3. What do Patient Advocates do?
Help people navigate the health system.
Liaison with health professionals
Liaison with family, friends and others
Research hard to diagnose conditions
Find options for chronic conditions
Fight for your rights.

4. BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE
When it comes to our health care, we patients must be sure we understand exactly what the risks and benefits are to any form of test or treatment before we give consent.
Begin with, “Doctor, let me make sure I understand….” Then restate what the doctor just told you. If the doctor corrects you, then restate it again until you know you have it right.
You will need to be able to
Listen and take notes
Research your condition
Ask intelligent questions
If you are not able to advocate for yourself, don’t be too embarrassed or frugal to ask for help.

5. ADVOCATE FOR ANOTHER 1 Don't wait to be asked.
Most patients are too overcome to think about what they need.
They may not know what they need, and they may feel embarrassed.
2 Attend the doctor appointments.
It's important to be there right from the beginning. It's helpful for doctors to be aware of who you are and that you are advocating for this person. They are much more likely to answer your questions, etc., if they expect that you will be at most of the appointments.
3 Take notes, take notes, take notes. Buy a notebook that you will use for only this purpose. Write down suggestions from the doctor, medications, terminology, questions you have and future appointments. Doing this frees up the patient to digest what the doctor is saying, knowing that if they miss something, you will tell them later.

6. ADVOCATE FOR ANOTHER
4 Ask questions. Since the doctor is there for the patient, allow them to speak between one another. But if the patient isn't asking questions that you have, ask them. 5 Get copies of all tests. Before you leave, be sure ask the doctor for copies of all tests. They won't offer them, so you need to ask. Having them is tremendously helpful when visiting other doctors. 6 After the appointment, go over the notes. After the appointment, sit down and reread your notes to the patient so they understand everything. Write down any questions you or they may have for future appointments.

7. ADVOCATE FOR ALL SENIORS
MEDICARE.GOV MEDICARE
NYS HEALTH INSURANCE COUNSELING
311 FOR SENIOR SERVICES
Eldercare.gov – U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services
Benefitscheckup.org – National Council on Aging
Issue Specific Support Groups – Disease and Other Causes

8. How to talk to Doctors
Choose your battles. It can be just as difficult for you, a spouse, an adult child or a close friend to digest everything that's being said by the doctors. Doctors need to focus on the patient. The more silent and educated you are, the more the doctor will appreciate your questions and your patient advocate’s presence at the visit.
Be as respectful of their time as
you want them to be of yours.
Be prepared with a list of your
concerns and insist on answers.
Explain the role of your patient advocate.

9. Patient Advocate Self Assessment
Please Mark Your Patient Advocate Self Assessment Form with the answer that best fits your situation. Later you will be able to assess your own needs and create an action plan

10. Understanding who you are….
Self Description
Yes No
Maybe
Do you like to get involved in other peoples problems?
Do you like to be in control?
Do you like to be responsible?
Do you like caring for others?
Do you like to listen to what others are saying?
Frances has a lot of problems.
Eilish can’t communicate well.
Herman can’t be understood.
Susan lives alone.
Everyone speaks for Jack.

11. Your Physical Side…. Self Description Yes No Maybe
Are you in good health?
Are you physically able to care for yourself or someone else?
Are your health care needs being met?
Trudy is caring for her family.
Joan is always on call.
Rhona’s the sounding board.

12. Your Emotional /Social Side
Self Description
Yes No
Maybe
Have your feelings changed due to an event or over time?
Are all your needs being met by family or friends?
Shirley can count on Max.
Lori likes approval.
ADD YOUR Yes, No and Maybe Columns

13. EVALUATION & PLAN
If you have 8-10 Yes answers; Congratulations! You are prepared to speak for yourself and others. You may want to join groups of Advocates to find more resources.
If you have 5-7 Yes answers; Congratulations! You are on the right track. You are getting prepared to take responsibility for your health care and that of others. A Professional Patient Advocate can provide guidance.
If you have 0-5 Yes answers; Congratulations! You have taken the first steps towards becoming a Patient Advocate by recognizing that you need help in developing and prioritizing a plan. A Professional Patient Advocate can help you or can provide you with Advocacy services.

14. I WISH WE HAD A PLAN!

15. PRIORITIZE Understanding Who Your Are Understanding What You Can Do
Understanding What Is Needed

16. Each Patient & Advocate situation is unique
TRIGGERS & BARRIERS
Each Patient & Advocate situation is unique
Triggers -
What are Triggers? Fatigue/Familiarity
What are Your Triggers?
Barriers -
What are Barriers? Financial/Access
What are Your Barriers?

17. HOW TO ASK FOR HELP Know you need it. Communicate your needs.
Research your options.
Hire a Professional Patient Advocate.

18. A Professional Patient Advocate can help by;
Providing a safe place to discuss your
feelings & your thoughts
Providing objectivity
Providing an understanding of the impact
of what your are experiencing