My Benevolent Incarceration in a New Jersey Senior Home

My Benevolent Incarceration in a New Jersey Senior Home

I have had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. Jackson Toby, a professor emeritus of sociology at Rutgers University, where he was director of the Institute for Criminological Research. His latest book is “The Lowering of Higher Education in America: Why Student Loans Should Be Based on Credit Worthiness.” Mr. Toby is the companion of a long-time client of mine, who is also a pleasure, and whom I have been a patient advocate for many years. They are both 90-plus years young.

I am writing this because I continue to enjoy the opinion editorials that Mr. Toby continues to write. I wanted to share the lates one published in the Wall Street Journal that is related to the pandemic titled, “My Benevolent Incarceration in a New Jersey Senior Home.”

What You Need to Know About Your Dental Experience During COVID-19!

What You Need to Know About Your Dental Experience During COVID-19!

There are a lot of new norms in the changed world of COVID-19 today. Have you gone to see your dentist lately?

Another New World

Things are not the same. While it all affects you, what you and many others might notice most notably will be the cost. Pre Covid-19, different levels of care required different levels of safety precautions. The infection control procedures before Covid-19 are obviously going to be different from the infection control procedures of today. Dentists across the country are tacking on surcharge fees to the cost of each and every appointment. In addition to the skyrocketed cost and short supply of Personal Protect Equipment (PPE), dental offices may also have had to buy additional equipment to combat the new safety concerns of Covid-19. These costs have added up, and dental practices have had to figure out creative ways to help share the costs.

Be Prepared For Your Elective Surgery During Covid-19

Be Prepared For Your Elective Surgery During Covid-19

Was your elective procedure postponed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic? If it was, you are not the only one who had to deal with putting off a planned procedure due to the pandemic. In March, during a spike in the pandemic numbers in the U.S, experts at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and medical associations, such as the American College of Surgeons recommended that healthcare systems and surgeons minimize, postpone or cancel elective surgery because of the burden being placed on the healthcare system.

What is the Right Amount of Medical Care?

What is the Right Amount of Medical Care?

In April, we had a blog titled, “Are you getting the right care during the pandemic?”. This past week there was an op-ed in the New York Times by Sandeep Jauhar that has me thinking.....

The title of his op-ed was “People Have Stopped Going To The Doctor. Most Seem Fine.” His opening question was "Do Americans need the amount of treatment that our healthcare system is providing?"

Overcoming Communication Challenges for Loved Ones During COVID-19

Overcoming Communication Challenges for Loved Ones During COVID-19

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, it was challenging for family members or loved ones of a hospitalized patient to communicate with healthcare providers to understand the current diagnosis of that loved one.

During this COVID-19 pandemic, it has become even more important for families to know the right questions to ask and how to connect with the right health provider who can answer them. How is this possible when loved ones are not permitted into the hospital?

This is where the role of a private healthcare advocate, who knows the questions to ask and who to ask, becomes increasingly important. Frequently, these individuals are experienced nurses who are true "insiders" to the healthcare system and can be instrumental in assisting families

Does Your Health Insurance Protect You? What You Need To Know.

Does Your Health Insurance Protect You? What You Need To Know.

Did you know the number one cause of bankruptcy is medical bills. Many people do not realize that their health insurance may not be enough to protect them, especially in the event of a major health crisis. The last thing someone in a healthcare crisis needs is a surprise medical bill that they had no idea they would be receiving. This can cause undue stress on the patient and their family. What is the solution?

Your insurance and medical bills essential guide

An Emergency Hospitalization- Are You Prepared?

An Emergency Hospitalization- Are You Prepared?

As we start to gain some insights on the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that the need to be prepared for an emergency hospitalization is very important. Equally important, is to have a conversation with your loved one, friend, or private patient advocate who will be your main contact person during the hospitalization. Think hard about who you want that to be. It should be someone who is committed to assisting you in understanding what is going on in the hospital and is not afraid to ask the important questions as well as challenge the situation and completely understand what your wishes are.

When the Healer Needs to Heal

When the Healer Needs to Heal

What if I asked you to work in an unfamiliar environment under extreme pressure? No doubt you would be highly stressed and uncomfortable. Well, this is exactly what many healthcare workers (HCWs) experienced when they encountered the onslaught of severely ill Covid-19 patients during the height of the pandemic.

Although the staff may have been “seasoned” emergency room practitioners or highly trained in intensive care medicine, this was a disease they were not familiar with and standard protocol wasn’t always effective.

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

June is Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month

What do Glen Campbell, a singer, Pat Summit, a coach and Ronald Regan, a former president of the U.S have in common? All three of these celebrities had Alzheimer’s disease. Today, whether reading about a celebrity with Alzheimer’s disease or being affected personally, this devastating disease has taken and touched thousands of lives.

The Scope and Cost of Alzheimer’s disease in America

During the month of June healthcare providers and organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association are promoting the Go Purple campaign to highlight Alzheimer’s disease and Brain Health. Alzheimer’s Disease is the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. and more than 5 million Americans are living with it.