Advocating for Your Elderly Parent or Spouse

"We put physicians on such a high pedestal sometimes, which isn't a bad thing unless it prevents us from doing our job of being an advocate. And so just realize, that one, they're human too. Two, remember your job is as an advocate. It is your right to ask questions and to speak up on behalf of the patient."— Erin Gaylean   Welcome to "Life Happens with Kim Hegwood" where we discuss the challenges that arise in life. In this week's episode "Be Your Parent's Advocate," Kim is joined by guest Erin Gaylean author of "Badass Advocate." Together, they discuss the importance of advocating for elderly parents or spouses in healthcare situations.   Topics covered in the podcast: 1. Personal advocacy for patients with serious conditions- The importance of having a personal advocate- Techniques for asking good questions in healthcare situations- The value of open and closed-ended questions- Tips for prioritizing and writing down questions- The role of nurses as a valuable source of knowledge 2. Careful and tactful communication with healthcare providers- The pedestal effect and the right to ask questions- Effective communication strategies for optimal outcomes- An example of asking difficult questions for informed decisions 3. Caregiving for sick loved ones- Importance of building a support team- Outside-the-box thinking for finding help- Resources available to support caregivers   How to Contact Erin  www.badassadvocate.com & [email protected]   Social Media Links:   https://www.facebook.com/badassadvocate Badass Advocate (@badassadvocate) • Instagram photos and videos https://www.linkedin.com/company/badass-advocate Erin(@eringalyean) | TikTok Badass Advocate (@BadassAdvocate) / Twitter   My book comes in paperback, kindle, and audio and is on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1734346000   Barnes & Noble: Badass Advocate: Becoming the Champion Your Seriously Ill Loved One Deserves by Erin Galyean, Paperback | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)     Bio: Erin Galyean is a published author and professional speaker. In 2020, Erin published her first book Badass Advocate: Becoming the Champion Your Loved One Deserves. Badass Advocate, an information-packed and action-oriented book, teaches family caregivers how to lead the charge when dealing with a loved one’s health crisis. After losing her father, Mike, to Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, Erin was determined to be an unstoppable advocate for her sister, Meghan who was also diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma and a rare lung disease. With over 20 years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, Erin was able to use her professional knowledge to ensure her sister received the best care. Today, Erin shares her heartbreaking life events and the lessons she learned so others can make a difference in their loved one’s healthcare experience. Her book, Badass Advocate includes 8 actionable strategies that are both effective and simple to follow. Erin also published a set of journals to help caregivers better balance self-care with patient care. Through her book, journals, and website (www.badassadvocate.com), Erin shares an abundance of valuable information that will teach families how to effectively navigate the challenges they face. ___________________________________________________________________ Contact Kim Hegwood- Elder Law Attorney Website: https://yourlegacylegalcare.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourlegacylegalcare/ Facebook –https://www.facebook.com/YourLegacyLegalCare LinkedIn-https://www.linkedin.com/company/yourlegacylegalcare/ YouTube- https://www.youtube.com/@yourlegacylegalcare   Your Legacy Legal Care 1150 Clear Lake City Blvd., Suite 100 Houston, TX 77062 (281) 218-0880