As the medical system struggles to grow and evolve, it’s easy for patients to fall through the cracks. That makes it harder and harder to speak up and advocate for your own health. However, you know your body best! Becoming your own health advocate will ensure you get the referrals, treatments, tests, and diagnoses you need to maintain your quality of life. Here’s how to become an informed and persistent advocate for yourself in the healthcare system, courtesy of Patient Talk.
Research Your Senior Living Options
If you’re a senior and you anticipate needing help with daily tasks at some point in your future, start looking into your senior living options now. Remember, this is your decision! By being informed and knowing what you want, you can advocate for the senior living solution that best fits your needs.
For example, skilled nursing facilities provide a high level of care that is ideal for those with serious health issues that require round-the-clock support. Even if you don’t require this level of care right now, reviewing local facilities and picking out your favorite options will help you make a confident and informed decision when the time comes.
Learn About Your Insurance Coverage
Many people don’t understand how their health insurance works. According to CNBC, just 4% of Americans are able to correctly define common insurance terms that determine how much they would pay out-of-pocket for prescriptions and medical services. What’s more, only half the population is confident in their ability to choose the right health insurance policy for their needs. Knowing how your health insurance works will help you make better healthcare decisions and get the most out of your policy.
Keep Your Medical Records Organized
Maintaining copies of your own health records will ensure you always have access to important health information when you need it. As a result, you’ll never have to go through the hassle of transferring your health records or trying to access results from a blood test. You’ll have all the same information your doctors have, so you can do your own research and bring your own suggestions to doctor’s visits. Take advantage of free online tools to keep all of your medical records in one place. Wondering how to combine PDF files? It’s a simple process, and having those PDFs combined and readily accessible will save you lots of confusion.
Do Your Own Research
While it’s important to listen to your doctor and heed their advice, doing your own research never hurts. You might just come up with a suggestion or solution that your doctor overlooks. Thuasne USA explains that doctors rely on their patients to offer clear and concise descriptions of their conditions so they can make an accurate assessment, and researching your situation on your own can help you better articulate your experience.
Take Responsibility for Your Wellbeing
The more you can limit your reliance on the healthcare system, the better. By incorporating preventive care into your wellness plan, you can spend less time at the doctor and more time living your life! Research shows that simple healthy lifestyle habits like eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep can help ward off a number of common lifestyle diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Even if you work a lot, you should be able to fit healthy habits into your routine. For example, try taking the stairs at work and going for a walk on your lunch break to squeeze a little extra movement into your day.
Don’t wait for someone else to advocate for your health. Become your own health advocate by understanding your insurance, researching your senior living options, maintaining your health records, and taking wellness into your own hands. It’s time to stand up for your health!
Patient Talk is here to help you take charge of your health! If you have any questions, please email info@patienttalk.org.