Everyone Needs a Personal Health Coach/Advocate of Their Own!

Why everyone needs a Health Coach.

Today I am reflecting on the loss of my father. It will be a year next month. At the same time, the loss has several levels. 

You see, my father remarried and spent almost all of the last twenty years living away with his wife's family. He was not in our lives much. He loved his wife, and even when he finally moved closer to my brother and me, we still didn't get to see him much. However, that all changed after his wife died. 

So, he came to live with us. We then learned how bad his diabetes was, how much pain he was enduring. And his kidneys were in bad shape. We quickly knew just how sick.

 When we got him moved, we slowly learned a few things about how well he cared for himself. He had all kinds of cookbooks for diabetes, testing supplies, and a blood pressure cuff. He had been treated for open sores on his lower extremities. Which we finished getting cleared up. He was doing pretty good in the Spring. Things were looking up until he ended up with a bleeding ulcer. 

So, they got the ulcer fixed, but unfortunately, his kidneys failed. Now I must say he was also missing his wife. He was independent; he had just had both of his cataracts fixed. 

He enjoyed having the deer in our yard and loved caring for his roses, trying so hard to make up lost time, being part of the family. Trust me; I wish I had at least five years (20 really) to do over.

Why does any of this story matter?

 Well, it is an example of how healthcare could be better. My father was alone caring for his wife, not taking care of himself. The intent is not blaming here, just an example of being more engaged with our healthcare. Even in the hospital, there was no value when the diabetes Team came to see him.

It reminded me, had we not been nurses and engaged in choosing the best Specialty facility and Rehab Facility. I know the importance of having a team as part of a patient's health and recovery from disease or illnesses. Even the few home health visits he had were very superficial. There is so much of our healthcare that is disconnected in this tech world.

Patients' care and health are falling through the cracks. I am not just talking about COVID. Things happen without the complication of the COVID and the treatment delays.

We Need A Good Relationship

 The relationship with our providers should be reliable and connected. A Team Approach is a great way to communicate with your provider. It promotes better outcomes and improved health and saves you money—a Provider to address and treat you, the patient.

Imagine having a health coach to make sure you understand the plan. Clinical Nurse to help make sure you get the treatments and medications you need and only spend what you should. We can shop for the best pricing to save you money. Great for when you have a high dollar out of pocket.

 The relationship with our providers should be reliable and connected. A Team Approach is a great way to communicate with your provider. It promotes better outcomes and improved health and saves you money—a Provider to address and treat you, the patient.

What Can A Coach Do For You?

Imagine having a health coach to make sure you understand the plan. Clinical Nurse to help make sure you get the treatments and medications you need and only spend what you should. We can shop for the best pricing to save you money. Great for when you have a high dollar out of pocket.

The most important results are that you, the consumer, are taken care of and are educated and informed for optimal health. Sometimes in this day and age, the visit to the office is rushed. There are things you may forget to discuss with your provider. You may be left confused.

Many scenarios leave you, the consumer, lost and or messy, leading to a delay of improved health or not understanding what to do. Change of diet, new medication, exercise. Need motivation and encouragement? Do you need someone to advocate for you and find the best providers and cheaper options for your care?

We are your support team. Together with your Provider, health is in your hands. You can take control of your health. Be a champion of your healthcare. There are many insurances and share plans that claim they have health advocates. And while they help some. Most of them are not clinical and only address part of you, the consumer's needs.

Check out what we can do at Think Healthcare Solutions.