Navigating the Health Care System for Your Aging Parents is Tough

Navigating the health care system for your aging parents is tough. Navigating health care services for a parent who lives miles or states away can be almost impossible. If you find yourself the primary caretaker for a person who lives outside of your zip code, there is help a mere phone call away.

Imagine this scenario. You are a working family who lives in Ohio and your parents have moved to their retirement dream home in Florida. You’ve noticed some changes in your mom’s behavior and communication patterns, but due to your demanding job, your own family, or the increased price of travel you just can’t get to Florida to get mom to the appointments you fear she needs. Dad can drive her there, sure, but can you trust dad to give you the full picture of what is going on with mom’s health? Does mom fear going to the memory care specialist because she is afraid they will confirm what she doesn’t want to admit? Does dad have his own health concerns that have you worried for both of them? Will both mom and dad brush off your questions and your urging to see a specialist? Do you lay awake at night and wonder who will take advantage of your aging parents? No one wants to leave their home, and aging in place is becoming more and more prevalent and there are options, but do we really understand the maze of healthcare?

This is not a scenario or possibility for many working families. This is a real problem, and these are real fears for those of us in the middle. Young children who need us, aging parents who need us, careers that demand us, those adults are “the middle”. We are in the middle of our lives but caring for those above and below. We have plenty of love and respect for our families, but not enough time to take care of everyone to the degree we want. That’s where Ultimate Resource Healthcare Navigators comes in.

With resources and knowledge and understanding of the continuum of care in the healthcare arena, the Navigators can step in with a team of patient advocates to be your eyes and ears. The owners of Ultimate Resource have over 20 years of experience in the healthcare service industry. We have worked in hospitals, with doctors and medical directors in an acute and post-acute setting, care managers, social workers, ran physical therapy groups and worked directly with patients to provide a helping hand where your hands cannot reach. Navigating the healthcare maze is our life’s work. Both from experience and from need. We are not a franchise, we are a team of dedicated, caring experts who understand that communication and coordination and passion are the key to a long and prosperous, healthy life.

Our advocates understand your health insurance to assist in making appointments, attend medical appointments, visit your loved one in case of a hospital stay, create a care plan and keep medical records organized to keep you in the loop and report back to you as to the direction the medical team is communicating in layman’s terms, so it is easy to understand from a distance to alleviate your stress. Is mom covered by dad’s VA benefits? We can find out. Is this specialist “in network”? We already know. Will you be able to return home with a private duty medical aide? We can find one to suit even the most particular person. Is this the time for a medical power of attorney? We have a screened list of Elder Law Attorneys who can make that happen, or is it time for an Assisted Living or Memory Care Community, we do that also. Will a stay in a Skilled Nursing Facility deplete my parents’ savings or is that covered by Medicare? Do I need more long-term care insurance, and how do I understand it? Our healthcare Patient Advocates can help you make those decisions with our vast depth of experience and expertise. If it’s time to make tough decisions, a Patient Advocate is your first step that will help you sleep at night knowing that your loved one is being taken care of while you take care of the rest of your family. The rest we can Navigate together.

Need more information, reach out to Ultimate Resource Health Care Navigators at 239-994-8116 to see what options are available in your area.