TBI, Self-Advocacy & Navigating Health Care

What is P&A?

Washington Protection & Advocacy System 315 Fifth Avenue South Suite 850 Seattle WA VOICE TTY Washington

Co-Ad, Inc Emerald, Suite B-100 Boise, ID (208) (Voice/TDD) (208) (FAX) (TOLL FREE) Idaho

320 West 25th Street, 2nd Floor Cheyenne, Wyoming Phone: (307) toll free Wyoming

Advocacy is Problem Solving to: To protect rights or change unfair discriminatory or abusive treatment to fair, equal and humane treatment. To improve services, gain eligibility for services or change the amount or quality of services to better meet the needs of an individual To remove barriers which prevent access to full participation in community life

? Advocacy Styles Unique approaches to problem solving Styles change, develop, acquire flexibility What’s your style?

Types of Advocacy Self-Advocacy Mediation Complaint & Grievance Process Regulatory Agencies

Biases Recognize your biases and how they may be influencing you Ask others you trust for their opinions Carefully consider criticism that you are biased Be respectful and inclusive Stay focused

Building Your Advocacy Plan

1. Assessing the Problem Break down the problem Set goals Recognize your Biases Be objective Troubleshoot early Determine allies Balance information against advocacy style and talents

2. Forming an advocacy team/allies Find the common cause Troubleshoot conflicting interests within the group Establish structure Establish decision-making process Match group talents with your plan Make sure everyone is at the table

Supporters: Who are they What can you do to get more? Barriers: How do you overcome them? Opponents: Who are they? Can they be persuaded? Decision-makers: Who are they? Resources: What do you have? What do you not have? How can you get it?

3.Gather Information & Form Solutions Research! Examine what has been done before Research the opposition Create a paper trail

Information you need Opponents position What has been done before Plan for gathering information

4. Choosing your strategies Policy reform Organized community response (flooding with complaints) Dispute resolution Media Legal Other...

5. Writing your Plan Start with your solution Break down the steps to reach your solution Organize & Prioritize your activities Continually evaluate progress as a group Be on the lookout for new allies Prepare for when the going gets tough

Step-by-step plan

6. Evaluate & Followup Make sure you have an agreement Look at what remains to be done Evaluate your overall plan

Did you reach your goal? What worked What didn’t What could you do better?

Healthcare & Advocacy Same Steps Different Methods Helpful Tips

Your Paper Trail Appointment info Doctor/Clinic List Questions to ask your doctor (s) Your copy of records Note changes in your health Keep track of medications PROBLEMS

Before Your Healthcare Visit

Identify the Problem Why is it a problem When was it noticed What is responsible What would resolve the problem

Have your goal in mind Keep your eye on the goal – don’t let details bog you down Don’t settle for one outcome – may be other ways to meet your goal Choose the right person for the right job – may not happen with first try

Write it Down Keep track of appointment time Write down goal Write down questions ahead of time Keep test results or other documents for which you have questions together

During Your Healthcare Visit Be Clear State your goal and questions Take lots of notes If you don’t understand, ask Keep track of diagnoses and medicines prescribed (include herbal)

After, or In-between your appointments

Follow Up Make notes of people you talk to When is a good time to call back? Track dates: when results will be in when to make appt’s. etc.

Managing Your Medical Records SOAP - style Accuracy Significance

Your Medical Records Privacy Obtaining Copies of Making changes or corrections to

Health Care Medicaid Medicare Charity Care Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) Resources

Head Injury Hotline 212 Pioneer Bldg Seattle, WA www headinjury com Brain Injury & Advocacy TBI ARMS - Traumatic Brain Injury Advocacy, Resource, Mentoring Services

Health Care Fraud Leads to abuse & neglect Important to report

? Questions