MEDICAL ADVOCACY & LIFE MANAGEMENT
A period of illness or injury is stressful for seniors, people with disabilities, special needs children, and their families. Even the best-laid plans may go astray, and no one is at their best when they are unwell. Seniors, individuals with disabilities, and families with children with special needs often require someone to watch out for their best interests and guide them through the complicated healthcare system. They need an advocate.
Allow an IKOR Advocate to assist you when you are unclear where to turn for help with life’s challenges. IKOR Advocates can acquire a thorough perspective of our clients’ lives and provide impartial recommendations to help them maintain or improve their quality of life through our Life Management Advocacy Plans.
Beyond case management, we provide comprehensive life and care coordinating services to our clients. Our highly experienced team of professionals can assist you in managing your medical, financial, and personal affairs. At IKOR, we simplify the difficult aspects of life so that our clients and their families may focus on the most essential aspects of life.
Our medical advocacy team is made up of highly skilled Registered Nurse Patient Advocates who have worked in a variety of settings. Our RN Advocates have at least 10 years of diverse clinical experience and are assigned to clients depending on their needs and expertise. Our Client Care Specialists are social workers or mental health professionals that help our clients with psychosocial, (mental health, cognitive, and social) recreational, promoting change, interpersonal interaction, and a variety of other areas. Our team members collaborate to help our clients in all parts of their lives by utilizing their expertise and skills.
Medical Advocacy Services
Medical Oversight
People frequently become lost in the managed care health system, receiving treatment that does not address their medical condition or dealing with several experts who do not address the needs of the whole person. Our team of RN Patient Advocates and other professionals work hard to ensure that patients receive the appropriate care when they require it. We review medical findings as well as treatment options. We propose alternatives and ask difficult questions. Our staff is not afraid to advocate for the treatment that our client needs. When necessary, we seek second opinions, but we are frequently able to communicate with medical providers in a way that improves treatment and outcomes. We also accompany our customers to medical appointments, asking questions and receiving answers to help them comprehend their treatment options.
Chronic Illness
Many areas of everyday life might become progressively difficult as we age or are diagnosed with chronic health concerns. Unexpected changes can become catastrophic events in the absence of a plan, potentially leading to institutionalized long-term care, which can frequently be avoided with a detailed plan. We concentrate on provider collaboration, medication management, and safe hospital discharge transitions in care. We offer on-call assistance in the event of an emergency. Our team members provide non-duplicative services, which means we employ all programs accessible to help the client. We also give recommendations for services that many people are unaware are accessible to them.
Medical Power of Attorney
A Medical Power of Attorney is a legal document that grants a trusted individual the authority to make health-care choices and the obligation to ensure that doctors and other medical workers deliver necessary and appropriate treatment in accordance with the client's desires. End-of-life care is covered by a Medical Power of Attorney. When IKOR of Eastern Pennsylvania acts as Medical Power of Attorney, an IKOR RN Patient Advocate works with our clients to understand their beliefs and preferences for long-term care, as well as their care-related needs. The RN Patient Advocate learns about our clients' medical preferences and ensures that their medical care is appropriately handled. We explore any potential areas of concern, with the goal of ensuring that you receive the treatment you need. We take health care decisions seriously, as well as the duty of ensuring you receive appropriate treatment that is consistent with our customers' interests, values, and wishes.
Our advocacy staff works with our clients to monitor them wherever they reside. Our patients live in their own homes, care communities, memory care facilities, group homes, and skilled nursing facilities. We offer in-person services and advocate for the use of technology to decrease hazards and increase safety and security.
The IKOR Life Management Team collaborates to assess, plan, and manage each client’s continuing situations, establishing short- and long-term goals. Our clients’ Life Management Assessment Plans (LMAP) and goals are revised at least yearly to help them maintain their quality of life and meet changing circumstances.
Life Management Services
Living Arrangements
When our customers are healthy and not in a hurry to make a change, we propose they visit Senior Care Communities or group homes. Visiting a care facility, enjoying lunch, and engaging in activities is a great way to explore your options. We assist in determining the level and kind of care that the individuals need. We make an effort to reduce the number of moves a person may make. We can aid in selecting the kind of care facility that could best suit their unique needs.
Routine Bill Pay
Bills, taxes, and paperwork may be stressful. Seniors and disabled adults find it more difficult and time consuming to complete these tasks. We support clients' freedom by analyzing and paying bills and reconciling accounts. Our Financial Advocates make paying monthly payments easy, no matter how complex.
Coordination & Oversight of Life Services
Care coordination meets our clients' needs and preferences for high-quality, high-value health care while addressing safety issues and increasing quality of life. We help coordinate services and come up with a plan in the following areas not being directed by other providers: medical, catastrophic illness or injuries, psycho-social, environmental, routine financial support, safety, managing and avoiding crisis, addressing family dynamics, support for attorneys, financial and wealth management professionals, and leveraging technology and local resources to help them achieve as much independence as possible.
Predatory Issues
Elder abuse is a major issue. Our health care system enables people to live into their 80s and 90s; this might cause them to need support managing their needs. This reliance increases the danger of exploitation by a caregiver, neighbor, or family member. Our personnel recognize Elder Abuse. Our employees are trained to recognize the Profile of the Perpetrator and the difference between opportunists and predators. We help clients, their families, and other professionals mitigate predatorial concerns.
Personal Rights Protections
We believe personal rights preserve dignity. Dignity and rights can be violated in any living situation. ,From self-neglect with those who can't care for themselves at home, to predatorial concerns, to nursing home or group home neglect, finding the balance between dignity/personal rights protection and safety is varied and challenging. What's in the client's best interest? Combining complex care with managed health care increases our clients' quality of life. Lack of support and monitoring frequently leads to lost dignity/rights. We see this happen every day . Maintaining dignity and rights is easier than regaining them.
Ensuring Safety & Independence
Safety is the essential to elders preserving independence in their 80s and beyond. Aging in place requires planning and addressing problems as they arise. A secure environment, smart, senior-friendly technology, and a realistic knowledge of aging are crucial to preserving safety and independence. We assist elders age in place instead of waiting for a medical or safety crisis to limit independence.