Patient Advocacy for the Elderly: Keep it simple!

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A patient advocate can be a huge help for an elderly person who struggles to understand medical stuff. Here’s how they can make a difference:

  1. Making Medical Info Easier to Understand
  • Breaking things down into simple terms—no confusing doctor talk.
  • Using pictures, videos, or even stories to explain things better.
  • Going over important info more than once to make sure it sticks.
  1. Helping with Doctor Visits
  • Going along to appointments to take notes and ask the right questions.
  • Making sure the patient actually understands what the doctor is saying.
  • Double-checking that they know their diagnosis, treatment plan, and next steps.
  1. Managing Medications
  • Explaining how and when to take their meds in a way that makes sense.
  • Setting up reminders, pill organizers, or even color-coded charts.
  • Making sure they know about side effects and possible drug interactions.
  1. Helping with Big Decisions
  • Talking through treatment options and making sure their voice is heard.
  • Making sure they aren’t pressured into anything they don’t fully understand.
  • Keeping their values and wishes front and center in their care.
  1. Sorting Out Insurance & Paperwork
  • Explaining insurance coverage in a way that makes sense.
  • Helping with forms, billing issues, and finding financial assistance if needed.
  • Making sure they don’t get lost in a sea of confusing paperwork.
  1. Keeping Everyone on the Same Page
  • Helping connect the dots between doctors, specialists, and caregivers.
  • Making sure all their providers are on the same page about their care.
  • Helping them set up transportation or telehealth if needed.
  1. Boosting Confidence & Support
  • Teaching them how to ask the right questions and speak up for themselves.
  • Finding local resources or senior support groups.
  • Guiding family members and caregivers on how to help effectively.

At the end of the day, an advocate helps take the stress out of healthcare, making sure the patient gets the care they need without feeling lost or overwhelmed.

LORI IS EXTREMELY TALENTED!

What a great use of Lori’s talents!

I worked with Lori for several years during my career as an orthopedic surgeon. I know her to be not only compassionate and understanding but also a tireless advocate for what is right.

In difficult situations she was unwavering in her quest to enable me to provide the best possible care for my patients. She knows the system and how to work through it (and around it whenever necessary

LORI JUMPED RIGHT IN

If you are in need of a patient advocate, I would highly recommend Lori Schellenberg. She is extremely knowledgeable, effective, and professional. Knows when to be strong and forceful yet loving and caring with your loved one and your family. I was concerned about an elderly family member who had several severe falls, was forgetting to take medication, not eating healthy and not keeping up with housekeeping yet insistent she was fine and staying in her home. Even though Lori lived out of state she made phone calls on our behalf, made several recommendations to help us provide what our loved one needed and was an intermediary when it was necessary. Lori’s knowledge of geriatrics, continuous care/assisted living facilities, the health care system, long term care insurance and hospice is invaluable. She helped us put together a plan that provided the best and continuous care necessary for our loved one and our family. We are extremely thankful for her help and look forward to continuing to work with her as our loved one moves through the next phases of her life’s journey, thus enabling us to create loving memories.

LORI JUMPED RIGHT IN

My husband underwent nasal surgery 6 months ago, after he had a negative sleep study test and was referred to an ENT doctor due to continued fatigue and snoring.

Unfortunately, he developed two different serious infections, and we were concerned about his ongoing treatment with the ENT. In fact, we were very anxious because he wasn’t getting better but the surgeon was not clear with us as to what to do next.

When describing what was going on, Lori jumped right in, when she found out my husband was actually at the surgeon’s office at that time, and still did not understand the situation. She recommended that my husband ask to have the surgeon come back into the room, and to call her so that she could speak to the surgeon with my husband in the room. Lori was very professional and knowledgeable in her approach with his surgeon. She established a treatment plan, in a way that my husband could understand, and why this was the plan. She also discussed the “what ifs” the current treatment plan did not work. He ordered further tests to be completed prior to his next appointment, if he did not improve.

She followed up with my husband and I to make sure we understood the plan.

By advocating for my husband, Lori relieved a lot of anxiety and stress that this current medical concern was causing, and they felt more confident in the surgeon’s care.

We highly recommend Lori and Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, if you are experiencing a medical condition, and don’t know where to turn for answers. She is experienced and professional, yet able to discuss medical terms in a way that we understood.