Elders in need of assistance

Many of the people we help are elder individuals who live in isolation, without a support network of nearby family or friends.  

As this aging population lives longer, chronic health diseases and some form of memory loss often go hand in hand. 

Due to the complexity of living with chronic illnesses, elders often have difficulty asking the right questions to the doctor, or lack the ability to fully understand the answers.  Too frequently they cannot remember the doctor’s answers to their questions. 

This lack of understanding will often lessen their ability to follow through with the doctor’s recommendations or instructions.  Thus, chronic illnesses increase in severity and in number.

How the Client Benefits

• The social outreach, by the advocate with a call or a visit, plays an important part in helping them feel connected.
  
  
• The support in preparing for the appointment with the advocate, by making a list of questions and concerns, helps alleviate some anxiety. 
    
• The presence of the advocate during the appointment increases their comfort level.
  
  
• The knowledge that the advocate will assist in asking the questions and getting clarification on the answers helps to eliminate embarrassment or shyness.
  
  
• With increased and improved communication with the medical provider comes greater understanding of their medical issues.
  
  
• With greater understanding comes better compliance with the doctor’s recommendations or prescribed therapies.
  
  
• With better compliance comes continuity of care.
  
  
• With continuity of care comes stable or improved health.
  
  
• With compliance and continuity comes a decrease in hospitalizations.
  
  
• With stable health comes continued independence.