Know Their Baseline

• Have I explained what my loved one could do before coming to the hospital?
• Have I shared their usual mobility, cognition, communication, eating, and toileting abilities?
• Have I told the care team about any recent changes that are unusual for them?
• Does the team know my loved one's level of independence at home?

Ask Questions

• Do I understand the diagnosis and current treatment plan?
• Do I know who the attending physician is and which specialists are involved?
• Have I written down questions so I remember to ask them?
• If I don’t understand an answer, have I asked for it to be explained another way?

Keep Track of Medications

• Does the hospital have an accurate list of medications taken at home?
• Do I know which medications have been added, stopped, or changed?
• Have I asked why each significant medication change was made?
• Are allergies and previous medication reactions clearly documented?

Help Protect Function

• When medically appropriate, is my loved one getting out of bed and moving?
• Are they being encouraged to use the bathroom rather than automatically relying on briefs or bed care?
• Are they eating and drinking as normally as their condition allows?
• Have I asked whether physical, occupational, or speech therapy may be appropriate?

Speak Up About Changes

• Have I told the nurse or physician about changes in behavior, confusion, pain, appetite, mobility, or communication?
• If something seems different from my loved one’s normal behavior, have I said so?
• Am I helping the team understand what comforts, reassures, or upsets my loved one?
• Am I advocating for the patient’s wishes rather than making decisions based only on what I would choose?

Prepare for Discharge

• Do I understand where my loved one is going after discharge and why?
• Do I understand the medications they should take once they leave?
• Do I know what follow-up appointments or therapies are needed?
• Do I know what symptoms or changes should prompt a call to the doctor?
• Does the next caregiver, facility, or healthcare provider have the information they need?

Remember: You Are Part of the Team

You know your loved one in a way the hospital team may not.

You know how they normally communicate, move, think, eat, sleep, and interact with the world. Sharing that knowledge, asking questions, noticing changes, and helping keep their wishes at the center of the conversation are all forms of patient advocacy.

You don’t have to know everything about medicine to speak up for someone you love.

Need Help Making a Plan?
Angel On My Shoulder’s nurse case managers provide professional patient advocacy and care coordination when medical needs become complex.

(888) 391-4043
Contact us for a free and confidential consultation to discuss your situation and care needs.