Susan Estrada sells tech items. She shares her real-time experience at the San Diego Country Fair. She sells products that are meant for both the young and old which accomodate for a special need. For example, she had a med-e-lert medication dispenser, a talking clock, an ezRead Visual Aide Magnifier as well as less techie items like a spork at her booth.
After seeing literally thousands of people pass the booth, she made some interesting observations. Thirty-five to 59 year-old men were interested in anything techie. Women controlled the money, so if these men wanted to buy anything, they went looking for the female with the pocketbook. Multi-generational family groups with a physically-impaired elder family member didn’t even stop to look. The identified caregiver of the family didn’t stop even though she looked interested. These observations are right in line with market analyses of sales trends.
Why are we never “ready for that” product or service until it’s too late?
Families are afraid of upsetting the apple cart. Dr. Linda Rhodes, gerontologist and author of Should Mom Be Left Home Alone? Should Dad Be Driving? suggests starting conversations much earlier, long before a need is apparent.
Some "What if Scenarios" to review with a loved one to plan ahead include:
• IF you have a stroke or break a hip, what rehab or nursing home facility would you like to go to for recuperation?
• IF you're sick and need home health care, what agency should be called?
• IF it's not safe for you to live alone, what assisted living facility should we visit?
• IF you can't get around and do for yourself but can still stay at home, what kind of services do you want to help you with daily living?
Some TO DO suggestions include:
• Create a "Rainy Day Folder" that places all of your directives in one place and share a copy with family members.
• Fill out a Living Will so everyone will know what you want regarding any end-of-life decisions
• Make a list of all your physicians and identify the hospital of your choice in the event of an emergency
• Choose a Durable Health Care Power of Attorney so a trusted loved one can make health care decisions when you're too sick to make them
Dr. Rhodes warns, "Plan for the unexpected and share your plans with family members, NOW. Unplanned decisions are uninformed decisions, and in the heat of a crisis, they are rarely in anyone's best interest."
What questions are you going to ask today?
Showing posts with label Health care. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health care. Show all posts
Friday, July 01, 2011
Friday, June 03, 2011
Know Your Rights About Health Care
Did you know there is a Patient Bill of Rights? The Patient Bill of Rights that was adopted by the U.S. Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry in 1998. Virtually any organization that provide services and bill Medicare and Medical Assistance are required to inform patients of these rights when they start providing services to the individual.
So what does the Patient Bill of Rights say?
Information Disclosure: You have the right to accurate and easily-understood information about your health plan, health care professionals, and health care facilities. If you speak another language, have a physical or mental disability, or just don’t understand something, help should be provided so you can make informed health care decisions.
Choice of Providers and Plans: You have the right to a choice of health care providers who can give you high-quality health care when you need it.
Access to Emergency Services: If you have severe pain, an injury, or sudden illness that makes you believe that your health is in serious danger, you have the right to be screened and stabilized using emergency services. These services should be provided whenever and wherever you need them, without the need to wait for authorization and without any financial penalty.
Participation in Treatment Decisions: You have the right to know your treatment options and to take part in decisions about your care. Parents, guardians, family members, or others that you select can represent you if you cannot make your own decisions.
Respect and Non-discrimination: You have a right to considerate, respectful care from your doctors, health plan representatives, and other health care providers that does not discriminate against you.
Confidentiality of Health Information: You have the right to talk privately with health care providers and to have your health care information protected. You also have the right to read and copy your own medical record. You have the right to ask that your doctor change your record if it is not accurate, relevant, or complete.
Complaints and Appeals: You have the right to a fair, fast, and objective review of any complaint you have against your health plan, doctors, hospitals or other health care personnel. This includes complaints about waiting times, operating hours, the actions of health care personnel, and the adequacy of health care facilities.
Some practical advice to assure that you are adequately informed:
Speak up if you have questions or concerns, ot if you don't understand information provided to you. It's your or your loved one's body and you have a right to know.
Pay attention to the care you or your loved one is receiving. Makre sure you/they are getting the right treatments and medications. Don't assume anything.
Make sure staff providing care are introducing themselves and you know what their credentials are.
Notice whether or not the staff is washing their hands. Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections. Don't be afraid to gently remind the caregiver.
Makre sure the health care professional confirms your/ your loved one's identity before giving medications or treatments.
Educate yourself about the diagnosis, services provided and the care plan. Gather information. Write down important information the doctor tells you and ask if the doctor has any written information you can take with you to look at later.
Thoruoghly read all forms and make sure you understand them before you sign anything. If you don't understand something, ask for a better explanation.
Make sure you understand how to use any equipment that is being used.
Know the medications and why they are prescribed. Ask about the purpose and ask for written information which can be provided by the pharmacy. Know both the brand and generic names of the medications. Know the possible side effects to watch out for.
Whenever a new medication is prescribed, tell the doctor about any allergies and other medications prescribed to be sure that it is safe to also take the new medication.
Ask for a list of providers for services recommended. The hospital or nursing facility should not automatically assign providers for on-going care. You get to choose who you want for continuing care needs.
So what does the Patient Bill of Rights say?
Information Disclosure: You have the right to accurate and easily-understood information about your health plan, health care professionals, and health care facilities. If you speak another language, have a physical or mental disability, or just don’t understand something, help should be provided so you can make informed health care decisions.
Choice of Providers and Plans: You have the right to a choice of health care providers who can give you high-quality health care when you need it.
Access to Emergency Services: If you have severe pain, an injury, or sudden illness that makes you believe that your health is in serious danger, you have the right to be screened and stabilized using emergency services. These services should be provided whenever and wherever you need them, without the need to wait for authorization and without any financial penalty.
Participation in Treatment Decisions: You have the right to know your treatment options and to take part in decisions about your care. Parents, guardians, family members, or others that you select can represent you if you cannot make your own decisions.
Respect and Non-discrimination: You have a right to considerate, respectful care from your doctors, health plan representatives, and other health care providers that does not discriminate against you.
Confidentiality of Health Information: You have the right to talk privately with health care providers and to have your health care information protected. You also have the right to read and copy your own medical record. You have the right to ask that your doctor change your record if it is not accurate, relevant, or complete.
Complaints and Appeals: You have the right to a fair, fast, and objective review of any complaint you have against your health plan, doctors, hospitals or other health care personnel. This includes complaints about waiting times, operating hours, the actions of health care personnel, and the adequacy of health care facilities.
Some practical advice to assure that you are adequately informed:
Speak up if you have questions or concerns, ot if you don't understand information provided to you. It's your or your loved one's body and you have a right to know.
Pay attention to the care you or your loved one is receiving. Makre sure you/they are getting the right treatments and medications. Don't assume anything.
Make sure staff providing care are introducing themselves and you know what their credentials are.
Notice whether or not the staff is washing their hands. Hand washing is the most important way to prevent the spread of infections. Don't be afraid to gently remind the caregiver.
Makre sure the health care professional confirms your/ your loved one's identity before giving medications or treatments.
Educate yourself about the diagnosis, services provided and the care plan. Gather information. Write down important information the doctor tells you and ask if the doctor has any written information you can take with you to look at later.
Thoruoghly read all forms and make sure you understand them before you sign anything. If you don't understand something, ask for a better explanation.
Make sure you understand how to use any equipment that is being used.
Know the medications and why they are prescribed. Ask about the purpose and ask for written information which can be provided by the pharmacy. Know both the brand and generic names of the medications. Know the possible side effects to watch out for.
Whenever a new medication is prescribed, tell the doctor about any allergies and other medications prescribed to be sure that it is safe to also take the new medication.
Ask for a list of providers for services recommended. The hospital or nursing facility should not automatically assign providers for on-going care. You get to choose who you want for continuing care needs.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Difficulty Understanding Basic Health Information May Lead to Higher Risk For Death
Health literacy is a person's ability to understand instructions on prescription drug bottles, appointment slips, medical education brochures, doctor's directions and consent forms, and the ability to negotiate complex health care systems. Health literacy is not simply the ability to read. It requires a complex group of skills including reading, writing, and reasoning to understand concepts inorder to make health behavior decisions.
Medication bottles collected in medicine cabinets across the country simply read: "Take as directed". For those adults who have limited health literacy, or are limited in their ability to make sound health care decisions, this has little meaning. Take Charlie, for example,who has bronchitis and has been taking a swig from that cough medicine the doctor prescribed that has codeine in it. His caregiver discovered he was drinking from the bottle after she found him on the floor in his kitchen. He had been drinking the medicine staight from the bottle without measuring the amount every 2 or 3 hours. If a little is good for you, more is better, right?
More than 75 million English-speaking Americans have limitations in their ability to make health care decisions. Health literacy can be improved. Patient teaching handouts, medical forms, and health web sites make it easier to understand and improve patient-provider communication.However, the most important strategy for people with limited health literacy is to have a person with them to advocate for them at doctor appointments, during short procedures and especially while in the hospital.
What is your biggest concern for someone you love with limited health care literacy who requires health care?
Medication bottles collected in medicine cabinets across the country simply read: "Take as directed". For those adults who have limited health literacy, or are limited in their ability to make sound health care decisions, this has little meaning. Take Charlie, for example,who has bronchitis and has been taking a swig from that cough medicine the doctor prescribed that has codeine in it. His caregiver discovered he was drinking from the bottle after she found him on the floor in his kitchen. He had been drinking the medicine staight from the bottle without measuring the amount every 2 or 3 hours. If a little is good for you, more is better, right?
More than 75 million English-speaking Americans have limitations in their ability to make health care decisions. Health literacy can be improved. Patient teaching handouts, medical forms, and health web sites make it easier to understand and improve patient-provider communication.However, the most important strategy for people with limited health literacy is to have a person with them to advocate for them at doctor appointments, during short procedures and especially while in the hospital.
What is your biggest concern for someone you love with limited health care literacy who requires health care?
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