FAQ:

• What is Healthcare Navigation? 

Healthcare Navigation is a process of accessing information and services that allow one to age on their terms.
A Healthcare Navigator is a professional, a Registered Nurse or a Social worker who has years of experience in the health care system.  They are a repository of knowledge about home health care, hospice care, institutional care such as assisted living facilities and nursing homes, etc.  They can help you access community services appropriate for you.  They can help you and your family determine what "entitlement" programs are available to you and the care for which you will need to pay privately.  They understand public policy and how it relates to the individual.  They can help you manage your health care needs by being a liaison between you and your physician, and other professionals providing you care. Most importantly they are your advocate.  They assure that you get the care you need and deserve.

• How can the Healthcare Navigator help me and my family with the tension we feel about my desire to stay home and live alone?

A trained Navigator understands that families can sometimes seem to be intrusive and difficult.  She also understands that this usually is generated from fear.  Fear for your well being.  This fear can be mitigated with a professional assessment and the development of a plan of care.  A good Navigator can help you and your family agree on a plan that makes everyone happy.  The Navigator then takes the burden of implementation and on going management from the family caregiver so they can focus on being a family member again.  Communication is the most important service you will get from a qualified Healthcare Navigator.

• As an adult child who lives far from my parents I worry that they are doing ok on their own.  Can the Healthcare Navigator help me long distance?  

YES!  The Healthcare Navigator can communicate with you about their care and progress as long as your parents give permission for such communication.  This can be done via phone, email or written updates sent you via email or snail mail.  Our Navigators currently assist several of our clients in using FaceTime or Skype to talk to relatives who live far away.  Seeing your Mom or Dad weekly is more valuable than ten reports from the Navigator.

• As an adult child can I expect that you will care for my Mom as I would?

No, this is your Mother and the Navigator will provide professional care.  It is expected that this Navigator be respectful and even loving in the care she provides but she will never be a daughter.  That is not the goal.  The goal is to allow you to return to your role as a child and give up the health care management role to a professional.

• Mom needs transportation to the grocery, the doctor's office and hair stylist.  Mom needs help in organizing the house.  Mom needs help in cleaning the house and doing the laundry.  Does a Healthcare Navigator get involved in this kind of need?  

Absolutely!  A good Navigator can help you access both medical and non-medical care.  You can stop worrying about missing work and losing pay so that you can help your Mother see a doctor.  

Call now to learn more about how we can help 562-217-7343