Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Coordinating Medical Care VNA Community Healthcare
A Guide for Family Caregivers VNA Community Healthcare
2
Agenda for this Session
What is good care coordination? Organize medical care Be an advocate Coordinate care
3
What is Care Coordination?
Organizing medical care activities and information to get the best possible health results for the person you are helping.
4
Care Coordination Challenges
We will go around the room and introduce ourselves In one minute or less, describe one care coordination challenge that you have faced
5
Care Coordination Steps
Organize Advocate Coordinate
6
Organize to Stay Sane DO THIS NOT THIS
7
Organizing Steps Navigate the health system Keep track of medical information Manage your insurance Maintain medication lists and refills Plan ahead with advance directives
8
Navigate the Health System
Use your primary care doctor for most things Specialists for complicated illnesses Save the ER for real emergencies Always check insurance
9
Things You Should Track
Appointments Provider contact info Test results Internet passwords Insurance paperwork Visit notes Medications
10
Organization Tips and Tools Exercise
Look at the care coordination tools on the table Pick some that might work for you Discuss other tools you use and organizing tips Be prepared to recommend 3 good tips or tools
11
Find Reliable Resources
Federal and state agencies UCONN personalized health information research program 211 for community resources Consumer Reports Choosing Wisely Agencies on Aging On the internet – look for reliable sites
12
Manage Your Insurance Show Your newest card Get required approvals
Track copays and deductibles Check travel rules Use participating providers Use plan discounts Learn the appeals process Use nurse lines for advice Read the coverage list Participate in disease management programs
13
Keep medication lists updated Organize meds in one place
Manage Medications Keep medication lists updated Organize meds in one place NO Keep up with refills
14
Have the Hard Conversation
Living will Health care agent Healt Will Finances Resuscitation Care choices
15
Advocate Go to all medical visits with your relative
Make a list of health concerns Bring current medical information Ask good questions Write down instructions
16
Put Yourself in Charge Video
Watch the video How did the communication go? What worked? What didn’t work well? Are there ways you might be able to improve your up two way communication with medical professionals?
17
Medical Communication Tips
Set the stage Be clear about what you want Ask “what if” questions Ask questions about medical findings and treatment choices Clarify instructions before you leave
18
Did You Get What You Need?
Think about the last medical visit or phone call Did you get what you wanted? Did you ask the right kind of questions? Did you get the information you needed? What could you do differently the next time?
19
Coordinating Your Job as a Caregiver
20
How Often Do You Think This Happens?
Medical professionals communicating about a case.
21
Not So Much
22
The Essence of Care Coordination
Information flows with the patient Professionals communicate Nothing falls through the cracks
23
Fall Through the Cracks Brainstorm
Brainstorm a list of situations where you have seen medical things “fall through the cracks” Discuss how you can be the “glue” that keeps care and information coordinated
24
Your Job is to Be the Glue
High Risk Situations Hospital Admission Shift or doctor changes in the hospital Hospital or nursing home discharge After a medical procedure or one day surgery Discharge from home health care Multiple “care coordinators” calling
25
Care Coordination Sample Script
Dr. Jones, my husband has a number of doctors and you don’t all seem to be communicating with each other. We have had several instances of duplicate medications being prescribed. Would it be possible for you to call or write a note to his primary care doctor and nephrologist? If you have access to the hospital online record, could you please check to see what other doctors have prescribed?
26
Coordinate Care Coordinators
If you get a call from a “care coordinator”: Write his/her name and phone number Ask what organization they represent Find out why they are calling Find out how they can help you. If they can’t, politely refuse to talk, if you don’t want to
27
Balancing Act Write down 3 strategies that you use to balance your life as a caregiver
28
Caregiver Survival Rules
Care for your own health Get an outside perspective Ask for help Rest Laugh Join a support group Focus on accomplishments
29
Helpful Information What information provided today do you feel you can put into action when you get home? What are some of the things that still concern you?
30
Thank You! Questions? Guilford office: 203.458.4200
Hamden office:
Similar presentations
