Caregiver/advocate

When one becomes a caregiver there is an assumption that you will “take care” of the person. Now “taking care“ of is an ambiguous term but most agree that it infers that you will see to the physcial needs of the person. Whether you are the one physically doing it or hire a person do it. Taking care …translates into bathing, feeding, walking, companionship, taking to the stores running errands. But more is required when the person whom is being taken care of “advances” with their disease.

Who is the person to sees to their insurance and healthcare needs? This too falls to the “caregiver”. Now, I find myself speaking with the insurance reps, coordinating between the insurance and the physicians office, arranging caregiving services, medical appointments, insurance coverage, social security. AND IT IS ALLOT!!!

I didn’t understand the difference between to the two and I suspect most caregivers don’t. It’s just something we naturally fall into doing but there is a difference. And on any given day or hour one of the roles, whether it’s caregiver or advocacy will take the lead.

Last week for me it was advocacy. Coordinating between the new medical equipment company who will bring out another electric bed and air mattress and the hospice medical company to remove the one currently here. Of course the hospice team was schedule to come prior to my being able to arrange with the new company. I literally said to the technician who was ”schedule for a pick up”, “Listen I haven’t coordinated with the new company for the new bed if you come now my mother will literally be on the floor.” He understood and told me to call once I had arranged with the other company.

The new company rep, Brittany, has coordinated with the hospice team and they are both coming out next Wednesday! Next was ensuring the weekend caregiver whom we have had for eight months now continues to come. Apparently there is some new person handling the schedules and schedules another caregiver to come today, Saturday. The caregiver informed me yesterday and I intern called and explained that I wished to continue with my current caregiver and that I wanted her to have right of first refusal on all of my weekend request. I went on to explain to her that prior to my making any request I have already validated with the caregiver that she will be able to come; therefore, there was no need to schedule someone else.

This switching of caregivers is something that I have experienced with EVERY agency I have used. WHY I don’t know. One would think that as mangers in the caregiving industry it would be well known and encouraged to established a habitual relationships between caregiver and client. For seniors and people with debilitating diseases they want routine and a familiar face! It is beyond me the reasoning behind the constant swapping. Of course I understand when there is an emergency but to do it just because I don’t get nor do I buy in to!