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What methods can patient advocates use to help families cope with serious illnesses?

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When a loved one is diagnosed with a serious illness, it can be overwhelming and stressful for the whole family. You may feel confused, scared, angry, or helpless. You may also have to deal with complex medical decisions, financial issues, and emotional challenges. That's where a patient advocate can help. A patient advocate is a professional or a volunteer who supports and guides patients and their families through the health care system. In this article, we will explore some of the methods that patient advocates use to help families cope with serious illnesses.

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1 Provide information and education

One of the main roles of a patient advocate is to provide accurate and relevant information and education to patients and their families. This can include explaining the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment options, risks, benefits, side effects, and alternatives. A patient advocate can also help patients and families understand their rights, responsibilities, and options in the health care system. By providing information and education, a patient advocate can help patients and families make informed decisions and feel more confident and empowered.

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Cate McCarty, PhD

Dementia Care Coach & Subject Matter Expert
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It is important to educate and give the patient and family support resources. The education is often overwhelming, support needs to be readily available and encouraged. The extra step is to follow up with the individual soon after. Checking in is vital.

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Blanche Kohen ♀????

I Teach Women Over 40, Who Struggle With Age-related Illnesses+Have Tried Everything Else in Vain, How To Decode Their Health Metrics & Engage Providers For Personalized Care+Recovery Expert?Molecular Biology+Lab Science
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Knowledge is power, especially when facing the unknown. Patient advocates should equip families with accurate information about the illness, treatment options, and available resources. This empowers families to make informed decisions and understand what to expect. For instance, if a family member is diagnosed with diabetes, a patient advocate might explain what diabetes is, how it affects the body, and different management strategies like diet and exercise.

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2 Facilitate communication and coordination

Another method that patient advocates use to help families cope with serious illnesses is to facilitate communication and coordination among the health care team, the patient, and the family. A patient advocate can act as a liaison, a mediator, a translator, or a negotiator, depending on the situation. A patient advocate can help patients and families ask questions, express concerns, share preferences, and seek clarifications from the health care providers. A patient advocate can also help coordinate care among different specialists, services, and settings, and ensure that the patient's needs and goals are met.

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Blanche Kohen ♀????

I Teach Women Over 40, Who Struggle With Age-related Illnesses+Have Tried Everything Else in Vain, How To Decode Their Health Metrics & Engage Providers For Personalized Care+Recovery Expert?Molecular Biology+Lab Science
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When families are dealing with a serious illness, communication among healthcare providers, family members, and other support networks is crucial. Patient advocates can serve as liaisons, ensuring that everyone involved is on the same page. This might involve scheduling appointments, relaying messages between healthcare professionals, and organizing family meetings to discuss care plans. For example, if a patient is undergoing cancer treatment, a patient advocate could help coordinate appointments between oncologists, surgeons, and other specialists.

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3 Offer emotional and practical support

A third method that patient advocates use to help families cope with serious illnesses is to offer emotional and practical support. A patient advocate can provide empathy, compassion, listening, and validation to patients and families who are going through a difficult time. A patient advocate can also help patients and families cope with stress, anxiety, depression, grief, or trauma, and refer them to appropriate counseling or support groups. Additionally, a patient advocate can help patients and families with practical issues, such as arranging transportation, finding financial assistance, accessing community resources, or managing paperwork.

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Jan Adler

Currently Unemployed at Merrillville, Indiana
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During a time when a family member was dealing with teenage, hormonal, personality outbursts, I would reach out to friends for support. I didn't get the support I was looking for. Instead I was told 'What to do' and How to go about doing what should have been done in the beginning.' These friends have never experienced this situation in their lives and were upset that this was actually happening. They were probably upset that I kept voicing my anguish about this situation. The only source of empathy and compassion was from a therapist.

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Blanche Kohen ♀????

I Teach Women Over 40, Who Struggle With Age-related Illnesses+Have Tried Everything Else in Vain, How To Decode Their Health Metrics & Engage Providers For Personalized Care+Recovery Expert?Molecular Biology+Lab Science
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Dealing with a serious illness can be emotionally overwhelming for families. Patient advocates should provide a listening ear, offer emotional support, and connect families with counseling services if needed. Additionally, practical support such as help with transportation, meal preparation, or navigating insurance paperwork can ease some of the burdens families face. For instance, if a child is diagnosed with asthma, a patient advocate might provide resources for managing stress and anxiety, as well as practical tips for creating an asthma-friendly home environment.

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4 Empower self-advocacy and advocacy skills

A fourth method that patient advocates use to help families cope with serious illnesses is to empower self-advocacy and advocacy skills. A patient advocate can help patients and families become more active and involved in their own care and decision-making. A patient advocate can teach patients and families how to communicate effectively, assert their rights, voice their opinions, and seek solutions. A patient advocate can also help patients and families develop advocacy skills, such as researching, organizing, networking, collaborating, and influencing. By empowering self-advocacy and advocacy skills, a patient advocate can help patients and families achieve better outcomes and quality of life.

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Blanche Kohen ♀????

I Teach Women Over 40, Who Struggle With Age-related Illnesses+Have Tried Everything Else in Vain, How To Decode Their Health Metrics & Engage Providers For Personalized Care+Recovery Expert?Molecular Biology+Lab Science
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Families are their own best advocates, and patient advocates can help them develop the skills to speak up for themselves and their loved ones. This includes teaching families how to ask questions, express concerns, and assert their needs within the healthcare system. For example, if a parent is advocating for their child with ADHD in school, a patient advocate might coach them on how to request appropriate accommodations and support services.

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5 Respect diversity and individuality

A fifth method that patient advocates use to help families cope with serious illnesses is to respect diversity and individuality. A patient advocate can recognize and honor the unique values, beliefs, preferences, and needs of each patient and family. A patient advocate can also acknowledge and address the cultural, social, economic, and environmental factors that affect the health and well-being of patients and families. A patient advocate can also promote equity, inclusion, and justice in the health care system. By respecting diversity and individuality, a patient advocate can help patients and families feel respected, valued, and understood.

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6 Model compassion and professionalism

A sixth method that patient advocates use to help families cope with serious illnesses is to model compassion and professionalism. A patient advocate can demonstrate care, kindness, and respect to patients and families, as well as to the health care providers and staff. A patient advocate can also uphold ethical standards, maintain confidentiality, and avoid conflicts of interest. A patient advocate can also seek continuous learning, improvement, and feedback. By modeling compassion and professionalism, a patient advocate can build trust, rapport, and credibility with patients and families, as well as with the health care system.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What methods can patient advocates use to help families cope with serious illnesses?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Provide information and education

2 Facilitate communication and coordination

3 Offer emotional and practical support

4 Empower self-advocacy and advocacy skills

5 Respect diversity and individuality

6 Model compassion and professionalism

7 Here’s what else to consider

Healthcare

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What methods can patient advocates use to help families cope with serious illnesses?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Provide information and education

2 Facilitate communication and coordination

3 Offer emotional and practical support

4 Empower self-advocacy and advocacy skills

5 Respect diversity and individuality

6 Model compassion and professionalism

7 Here’s what else to consider

Healthcare

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