An elder-care advocate works with you and your doctor to help ensure you receive the care that best fits your needs. The advocate can help you prepare a long-term plan of care based on your own financial resources. Elder-care advocates help people navigate complex medical, bureaucratic and financial systems. Their needs are multifaceted, and the laws constantly are evolving. The role of an elder-care advocate also will evolve as the individual's needs change.
Instructions
1. Develop a passion for human rights in the area for elder care. People who are elderly often need help navigating systems they are unfamiliar with. They fall prey to people who look to steal or abuse them. There are no federal mandates requiring licensure for elder-care advocates. Being an advocate for the elderly takes commitment and love for the job.
2. Learn the elder-rights policies and legislation in your state. Be able to apply these policies to specific individual cases. Patients have the right to manage their own medical decisions and might need your help communicating their wishes to their medical professionals.
3. Learn the resources available to the client at the state, local and family levels. Know the funding sources of each resource. Be aware of any restrictions that are placed on assessing the resources. Government resources often are tied to the family's ability to pay or their level of income. Know these rules.
4. Develop a filing system that maintains the confidentiality of your clients. Allow limited access to the files. Only employees who work directly with the client should have access to the case file. Occasionally, a supervisor might need to view the file to monitor your quality of work, but they should not have ongoing access to the client's information.
5. Receive training in financial planning and management. Helping people who are elderly leverage their limited financial resources may be your most demanded service. You will likely need training to effectively help people develop budgets that allow them to maintain their lifestyle, have adequate food, clothing and shelter and pay for unexpected health care costs. Further financial management may be required if the client suddenly needs to receive support through home health care services in order to remain in their home.
6. Listen to your clients. Being a good elder-care advocate will require you to become familiar with the needs of each client and to treat each with respect.
Tags: elder-care advocate, financial resources, health care, help people, might need