Aly Sosa | Becoming a Senior Advocate
Aly Sosa says that I am part of the sandwich generation—that age between getting kids out of the nest to start their lives and helping parents in their later years to live their lives with some grace and comfort.
Being an advocate for a senior requires more than making doctor's appointments and helping to ensure the senior make it to the appointment. That is the simple part. Some seniors may not want to press doctors regarding their care because they are afraid they will be punished for not getting the care they need. Doctors may be so busy that they will sometimes miss crucial issues on the charts in front of them or may accept non-committal answers from senior citizens scared to death of hospitals and ending up in nursing homes and not looking deeper for the underlying cause of health issues.
This is written not to disparage the healthcare professionals who care for seniors. However, it helps the doctor to know someone who is with the senior who cares enough to know their medical history and to ask questions about problems they are experiencing. Of course, the trick is to leave the dignity of the senior intact by first letting them provide as much information to the doctor as they are willing or able to supply and by asking as many questions as occurs to them.
First and most importantly,
If you, as an advocate, have POA over health care, you should keep copies handy, even scanned into your computer (both at home and work), so that if you end up in an emergency room situation, you can print a copy before leaving home or work to provide the hospital. Aly Sosa says that Health care professionals are bound by privacy laws that restrict their ability to discuss a patient's health with anyone but the patient, spouse, or the person the patient has designated by power of attorney over healthcare matters. Having a copy of a POA over health care in your possession to place in the medical records that designate you as having a POA ensures that all health care professionals who work with your parent/in-law/friend will answer your questions about the patient's care even if they have to tell you that they do not yet know the answer to your questions.
The Second Crucial Point
If you end up taking a senior to the emergency room, as I did with my father-in-law, be prepared for a long stay. As the patient's advocate, you will need to be on hand for the history-taking process to point out previous hospitalizations and recent illnesses, and to do so for each nurse/doctor/lab tech who comes to the patient's bed. All the bottles of medications that the patient takes should be gathered and kept with you in a plastic bag for entering into hospital records. So have someone find you a comfortable chair near the patient's bed, and do not switch off with family members until all the tests are done and the doctor finally arrives with a diagnosis. If not all of the symptoms are addressed, inquire about the diagnosis with the attending physician. You may need those answers to make informed decisions. You could be there for a long time.
The third and most important point:
If the patient is admitted to the hospital from the emergency room, make sure that the hospital staff knows you are to be informed of any change in the status or care of the senior, and be sure to put a telephone number in the records where you can be reached 24/7. Aly Sosa says that if there are to be any changes in rooms or any invasive procedures done, especially at the bedside, you want to be informed.
Not all the duties should fall on the family member who has POA. At this point, our family emails back and forth about post-hospital care, how Dad is responding to physical therapy, who will take Dad for routine labs (not quite as crucial as the results, unless the technician finds something immediately that becomes an emergency), and what to do about Dad's 91st birthday. We, as a family, are quick to update one another on health issues related to the senior members of the family.
The fourth critical point
Some professional advocates can be consulted for serious and critical illnesses or long-distance caregivers. Many can be found simply by doing an internet search using the words "senior advocacy."
If you are a member of the sandwich generation and looking for further advice, I suggest doing an internet search for articles by Gail Sheehy on caregiving. The most important point she makes in her articles is that caregivers need to take care of themselves. Aly Sosa says that it will not help either you or your loved ones if you are constantly drained emotionally and physically. Learn to pace yourself and enjoy life's milestones for yourself and for the seniors you love. Right now, I am looking forward to my mother's 80th birthday and am hoping to have her to cherish for many years to come. Mom, live long and prosper.
As a member of the sandwich generation, Aly Sosa finds herself in the midst of a unique and demanding phase of life, caught between the responsibilities of raising her children and providing support for her aging parents. This stage, often referred to as the sandwich generation, presents a complex set of challenges that require her to balance her time, energy, and resources between two generations with diverse needs.
As an advocate for seniors, Aly recognizes that her role extends far beyond merely scheduling doctor's appointments and ensuring that her elderly loved ones make it to their healthcare visits. While these tasks are important, they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to providing comprehensive support for seniors. She understands that being an effective advocate requires deep empathy, patience, and a keen understanding of the fears and concerns that seniors face in their later years.
One significant challenge Aly encounters in her advocacy efforts is that some seniors may be hesitant to assert their needs or voice their concerns during medical appointments. This reluctance often stems from a fear of potential repercussions or judgment if they appear unable to manage their own care. Aly works diligently to create a safe and supportive environment where her parents feel comfortable sharing their health concerns openly.
Moreover, Aly is aware that doctors, especially in today's fast-paced medical environment, may have limited time to spend with each patient. Consequently, they might overlook crucial details in a senior's medical history or fail to dig deeper into their health issues. This can lead to misdiagnoses or incomplete treatment plans. As an advocate, Aly actively engages with healthcare providers, ensuring that her parents' medical records are comprehensive and accurate, and that any potential red flags are appropriately addressed.
Another challenge Aly encounters is that some seniors may provide non-committal answers during medical consultations, especially when discussing their fears of hospitals or nursing homes. This reluctance can hinder doctors from identifying underlying health issues and crafting appropriate treatment strategies. Aly assists her parents in overcoming these fears by facilitating honest and transparent conversations with healthcare professionals, allowing for a more accurate assessment of their health conditions.
In conclusion, Aly Sosa's role as an advocate for her senior parents goes beyond the surface tasks of setting appointments and arranging transportation. She serves as a steadfast and compassionate advocate, navigating the intricate landscape of healthcare for her loved ones. Through her dedication, Aly ensures that her parents receive the care they need, while also striving to empower them to live their lives with grace and comfort during their later years.