Patients are not at their best when they're in the hospital and they will hear a lot of medical jargon and may be required to make difficult decisions with less than complete information.
I’ve recently spent more time as a hospital visitor than at any time since the pandemic. A lot has changed since Covid-19, but my experiences confirm some good advice for older patients, their families, and the medical staff that cares for them. Here are a few ideas for patients and staff. While they focus on hospitals, many apply to nursing homes as well.More than ever, you need an advocate. You are not at your best when you are in the hospital.
As soon as you identify concerns or have questions, try to write them down. Don’t rely on your memory. You may forget when the doctor comes by. Try to have somebody in the room with you who is willing and able to ask questions. Having a good advocate has been a special challenge during Covid-19 related visitor restrictions. If your advocate can’t be there in person, try to connect them on speakerphone or even Zoom.
If you are not getting the care you need, your advocate needs to be able to raise those issues firmly, but politely, with the hospital staff. For older adults, your best advocate may not be your spouse, who may be too overwhelmed by the situation to help. Another relative or friend might be a better choice. You even canIdeally, your advocate should have a medical power of attorney to make decisions if you cannot.
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