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From Silence to Strength: How Aging Life Care Managers Amplify your Voice with Doctors

For many seniors, especially those with chronic diseases, their calendars often overflow with doctor appointments. Keeping the calendar straight, arranging transport, and trying to keep on track with medical conditions and treatment options can often be overwhelming. Once there, in the hustle and bustle of a busy doctor’s office, it’s easy to feel like just another patient in a sea of appointments. Add to that, the perception that doctor’s office visits often feel rushed, with limited time to discuss all your concerns and questions and it makes for the perfect storm.

This is where an Aging Life Care™ Manager can be a valuable resource. A care manager can help optimize these visits by prepping you in advance, gathering necessary medical records, and organizing a priority list of topics to discuss with your doctor. By doing so, they help ensure that accurate and timely information is communicated so that your appointments are efficient and that no important issues are overlooked. They can also travel with you or meet you at the doctor’s office; and during the visit, they can act as your advocate, ensuring that your voice is heard and your concerns are addressed.

If you or a loved one has difficulty with communication, a care manager can articulate concerns, provide a succinct history of symptoms and timelines, and ask pertinent clarifying questions. They can also be your memory bank, taking detailed notes during visits and summarizing important information for you afterward. Care managers are also experts in translating complex medical jargon into plain language, ensuring that you fully understand your diagnosis, treatment options, and any necessary lifestyle modifications or follow-up care.

Dealing with health issues can also be emotionally challenging, so having an advocate who truly understands and empathizes with your journey can make a world of difference. With a care manager by your side, you and your loved ones can feel supported, empowered, and confident in your healthcare decisions. For more information on healthcare advocacy and care management go to www.aginglifecare.org.