Page 15 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - July 2016 - 23-07

Senior Times - July 2016 Page 15
THE VETERAN YOU CARE FOR IS HOSPITALIZED...
NOW WHAT?
By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
Speak to a hospital social worker
or case manager. This individual will
help you with discharge planning issues including who will provide home health care, what home health equipment the Veteran might need, and who will be paying for these additional expenses. While it may not be the first thing on your mind, it is very important to start thinking about discharge planning when the
Veteran first enters the medical center.
It is important that the discharge planner (and the nurses involved) fully understand the Veteran’s physical and mental capabilities, so the most appropriate
help for you and your loved one can
be ordered as part of the discharge plan. Physical and/or occupational therapists
can play an important role at this time in providing a professional evaluation of your ability to transfer the Veteran to the home setting during the recovery period and the Veteran’s ability to function independently.
Stand up for yourself as a Caregiver and advocate.
When a chronically ill or disabled Veteran is hospitalized, the focus in the hospital may be on palliation (easing
the Veteran’s discomfort and symptoms) and management rather than curing the condition. Your role as a Caregiver and advocate for yourself and the Veteran you care for is especially important at this time. The other members of the health care team should know that you are speaking not only as a family member or dear friend, but in those additional capacities, as well, and you want to feel comfortable, capable, and confident with what is expected
of you before the Veteran leaves the medical center.
When hospitalization is necessary,
there are things that you can do to feel more confident, ease your stress, and be an effective advocate and respected member of the health care team. For more detailed lists see the article beginning on page 30.
Bring Needed Legal Documents.
Advance Medical Directives inform physicians and family members what kind of medical treatment and care a Veteran wishes to receive in the event of his/
her inability to make those decisions such as following a Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order. The advance medical directives will go into effect during end-of-life situations.
A Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care, also known as a health care agent or proxy, is the individual appointed to make decisions about medical care if
the Veteran can’t. That person may well be you. A health care agent can be assigned as part of the advance directive form. Signed copies of these documents should be given to the Veteran’s doctor, and incorporated into the patient chart each time the Veteran is hospitalized.
Be prepared to provide Information.
You can be proactive, feel more confident in your dealings with medical center personnel and facilitate the Veteran’s transition into the hospital setting by providing the information immediately upon admission.
The Veteran’s medical history, in writing including: A list of the Veteran’s allergies; a list of current medications
and dosages; a list of all physicians and consultants who are caring for the Veteran, along with phone numbers; and a clear and
detailed written description of the Veteran’s current physical and mental capabilities.
Think of yourself as a member of
the health care team, which also includes the attending physician, the hospital nurses, and a hospital social worker
or case manager.
Immediately Upon Arrival at the Medical Center:
Find out the name of the attending physician of record for the Veteran. This individual is the primary doctor on the case and will coordinate care in the medical center. The attending physician will be in communication with the other consulting physicians and often can summarize the entire treatment plan. Make sure you understand and agree with that plan. Don’t hesitate to continue to ask questions until you feel comfortable with the answers.
Find out the best way to get in
touch with the attending physician. Who will initiate the phone contact? At what number can the physician be reached and what times are best to call? Make sure the “face” sheet in the Veteran’s hospital chart contains your name and your correct phone numbers.
Get to know the nurses who are caring for your loved one. They can answer your day-to-day questions and are an excellent source of information and support. Don’t be afraid to ask the nurses about any new procedures or changes in the Veteran’s course of treatment. The change of shifts is a very busy time for nurses, so try to hold your questions until the nurse coming
on duty has received his or her report.
The Care You Need to Help You Stay in
the Home You Love!
When asked, most older adults say that they want to live in their own com- munity as long as possible. For those with chronic conditions and limited resources, this can be a challenge. CentraCare is part of the National PACE Program (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) and serves to meet the health care needs of frail adults 55 or older living in Calhoun, Kalamazoo, and Eastern VanBuren Counties.
Services are coordinated by the CentraCare team to:
Ensure safety in the home Promote wellness
Focus on quality medical care Provide an opportunity for socialization Support caregivers
We have two locations to serve you. Our Battle Creek Center is located at 200 West Michigan Ave., Suite 103, inside the Kool Family Community Center and our Kalamazoo Center is located at
445 W. Michigan Ave., Kalamazoo, MI
Call us to find out if CentraCare is right for you or someone you love.
(269) 441-9313 or visit www.mycentracare.com