Simplifying the Complex Healthcare System featuring Nan Wetherhorn
On this episode, we talk with Nan Wetherhorn, a South Florida Independent Patient Advocate and nurse since 1976, who learned the importance of advocacy during her mom’s battle with cancer. Nan’s mom was a pharmacist and was more than capable of understanding her diagnosis and her treatment options. But patients can rarely effectively advocate for themselves, so Nan was the one who discussed all the health issues with her mom and her doctor. She became a part of the «team» as do most family members.
As an Intensive Care Unit nurse for more than 30 years, and with experience in pediatric and adult patients in cardiac care, neurology, surgery, and trauma, her mission today is to provide education, resources, and tools so patients can make educated, informed decisions about their healthcare. Nan’s robust clinical background makes it easy for her to participate in discussions with health care providers and relay complicated medical information to her clients in a clear, simple, comprehensive language they can easily understand.
Nan traveled the world as nurse well before the concept of travel nursing was commonplace. From neonatal ICU nursing in Switzerland to positions in France and North Africa, Nan has experienced many different approaches to healthcare and patient safety around the globe. Those experiences helped shape her perspective, making her an amazing ally for patients and families in head of healthcare guidance and support.
Transcript
Host
Nan Wetherhorn, thank you so much for being on the patient advocacy now podcast. Uh, I'm really excited to talk to you. I love your background. You're you've been a nurse forever. Um, you and, and you have different, you know, every nurse has their own story of what they specialized in, what they bring to the table, what units they were in. So before we even get into advocacy, let's kind of let, let the people learn a little bit about what I've learned about you, you know, before the mic was on.
and in your bio and whatnot. I've been a nerd.
Nan Wetherhorn
Okay, I've been a nurse since 1976 in neonatal pediatric and adult ICUs, mostly teaching hospitals. And I've actually worked all over the world.
Host
No, no.
Host
What do you mean all over the world in Europe and Asia? Where, where do you mean? In Europe. I've worked in Europe.
Nan Wetherhorn
In Europe, I've worked in Europe and in North Africa. Yeah, so I did it before there was really traveling nursing started. So it was very interesting. I just had to learn to speak French.
Host
Wow.
Host
Right, interesting.
Host
What took you to France or whatever French speaking? Switzerland. Switzerland, okay. I graduated.
Nan Wetherhorn
It took me to Switzerland, took me to Switzerland. Well, I graduated from Vanderbilt University and I worked as an aid in the neonatal intensive care unit and the doctor at the time had fellows from all over the world. So she said, well, I've got one in France and several in Sweden. So I wrote to them and said that, I'm looking for a job as a nurse in the neonatal ICU. She recommended me. So the people, two years, and I was in...
Host
the middle ICU she recommended me so how long were you there for two years did you i actually think i have a friend out there i might have visited there um it's teaching hospital wow did you
Nan Wetherhorn
Lausanne, L-A-U-S-A-A-N-M-E. It's outside of Geneva, about 45 minutes outside of Geneva.
Nan Wetherhorn
It's a teaching hospital that's there.
Host
Did you, I mean, I know it was a little while ago, but did you find a huge difference in the way Europeans practice medicine than Americans?
Nan Wetherhorn
Actually, it's not the medicine. They use the textbooks that we had in the United States on neonatology. But it was really funny. They were all in English and most of the people didn't, they were not allowed to speak to me in English. So some, and some of them didn't really, the English, they couldn't read it so well because some of the machines were our machines. And I would say, no, you're not using that correctly. And they go, yes, we are.
Host
Thank you for the textbooks.
Host
from.
Host
They were not allowed to speak to me in English. So some of them didn't really speak English. They couldn't read it so well because some of the machines were our machines. And I was like, you know, you're not using that.
Nan Wetherhorn
No, see right here, it says right here in English. This is what it says. So it was very challenging in the beginning because I did not speak French. I went to school in the afternoon and I worked in the morning. And it took me a good six months, three to six months before I felt very comfortable with the light. No, the work was fine. The work I knew backwards and forwards, it was...
Host
No, same right here. It says right here. And that's not what it says. So it was very challenging in the beginning.
Host
It took me a good six months, way to six months before I felt very comfortable. With the language? With the language. No, the work was fine. Yeah. The work I knew backwards and forwards, it was sending it in another language. Sure. And I figured babies, unfortunately, their parents do. Yeah. That's true. Did you become fluent in French? Yeah, and I'm still fluent. How did you hold onto it?
Nan Wetherhorn
saying it in another language. And I figured babies, they don't speak. Unfortunately, their parents do.
Nan Wetherhorn
Yes, and I'm still fluent in French. I can read it. Okay. I also worked after two years, I came home and worked in the United States for two years. And then a friend sent in as a joke.
Host
I also worked, after two years I came home and worked in the United States for two years. And then.
Nan Wetherhorn
They sent into Club Med, they were looking for nurses, and I went for an interview. When they called me, I don't know what this is, and my friend told me, I said, great, I'll go for an interview. So you change countries every six months with them. So I worked for Club Med as a nurse for two years. And I was in Cancun, the Bahamas, Cabo Negro, which is on the Mediterranean coast of North
Host
They sent into Columbia, they were looking for nurses. And I was pretty.
Host
You change countries every six months.
Host
years. Oh well.
Host
Bye.
Host
Have a nice day.
Nan Wetherhorn
And
Nan Wetherhorn
Copper Mountain, Colorado, and the Dominican Republic. I think that was it.
Host
auto and the community. Do you still enjoy traveling or did you kind of get it all out of your system? I still traveled after that, but yeah. I didn't do it like that because every six months is a lot and you work with different.
Nan Wetherhorn
Well, I still traveled after that, but yeah, most of it, I didn't do it like that because every six months is a lot and you work with different medical systems and Morocco's, Morocco medical system in the seven, in the eighties wasn't great. Yeah. The little one, the hospital near us, not so good. I had to take people into usually Tangiers or Casablanca. Usually Tangiers.
Host
office.
Yeah. I wonder when the hospital knew us, not so good. I had to take people into usually 10 years or half of long term. Was there anything from you studying, not studying, but working abroad where you thought we should bring this to the States?
Nan Wetherhorn
Yes. As a nurse, well, no medical person was allowed to wear their clothing that they wore in the hospital, outside of the hospital. So you came in, you changed into a uniform and shoes that you could only wear in the hospital. Then for the neonatal ICU, we walked there and then there was a changing room there, we had to change again. And the scrubbing was a five minute scrub for your hands.
Host
the nurse.
I don't know.
Host
Amen.
Host
Yeah.
there and then there was a change where we had to change again.
Um, scrubbing.
Host
Wow. And then they did swabs of your nose, shoes, and your fingers, your fingernails, once a month. Wow. So there was a lot more kind of germ-centric kind of awareness. Yes, it was Switzerland. It was Switzerland, okay?
Nan Wetherhorn
And then they did swabs of your nose, your shoes, and your fingers, your fingernails, once a month.
Nan Wetherhorn
It was Sweden, it was Switzerland, it was Switzerland, okay? Yeah, very, very strict on being clean.
So yes, I was like, this is amazing. We should do this. So coming, and when I came back to the United States and worked as a nurse, I didn't wear my scrubs to work. I would wear other clothes, put my scrubs on at work, and then go into the unit. Same with the shoes.
Host
Wow. Amazing. We should do this. And when I came back to the United States and worked in the North, I didn't wear my scrubs to work. I would wear other clothes.
Host
Yeah. Huh. So getting back to other than being in, in all over the world, uh, you specialized in, in babies and adults in the ICU. I just did ICU. I did. I went to the babies when I was in New York.
Nan Wetherhorn
I just did ICU. I did, I worked with babies when I was in New York. I went from babies to adults, which was too big a change. It was really scary. Cause all the adults in the ICU were like 250 pounds. So I went from three pounds, maybe six pounds to 250 pounds. And I was always triple checking the medications thinking, you are going to kill these people with this medicine. Giving so much. And then you have, cause you do it by weight. And I was like.
Host
babies to adults.
Host
250 pounds.
Host
And then you have to do it by weight. So that was a challenge. I also did pediatrics. I went to California to do pediatrics and traveling nurse. I did pediatrics and adults.
Nan Wetherhorn
Oh my God. So that was a challenge. I also did pediatrics when I was in Cal… I went to California to do pediatrics as a traveling nurse. So I did pediatrics and adults and neonatal. But yeah, I just, I think children are so much more honest than adults when they're sick, especially. You ask them if they hurt, they say yes. They tell you where.
Host
and nail nail, but yeah.
Host
Mm hmm.
Nan Wetherhorn
You ask an adult, oh no, I don't know. It's not pain. Well, your heart rate's going up really high and your blood pressure's going high too. So I know you're in pain and it's probably more on a scale of one to 10, it's probably close to a seven or an eight in the lich. You're good.
Host
Bye for now.
Host
I know you were in pain. It's probably more on a scale of 1 to 10. It's probably close to a 7 or 8.
Host
Why do you think people hide their pain from nurses and doctors?
Nan Wetherhorn
You know, I don't know. I think men do it because they're real macho and oh no, we don't feel pain. And because they're the ones that have had the hardest time with really admitting to the pain. Women are pretty good. Women are pretty good about, yeah, except for when they're having babies, they just expect the pain to be really bad. But no, it's mostly, I had mostly men that would tell me, no, I'm not in pain, I'm not in pain. And I'm like, oh yeah. So it's, and why?
Host
because they're the ones that have-
Women are pretty good. Women are pretty good at that, yeah. Except for when they're having babies, they just expect the pain to be doing that. But, you know, I had muscling men.
Host
So it's, and why I think people think that they don't want to feel me. Right. You're at the ICU, you're in the hospital. Like this is, this is, that's so funny. That's so interesting. So what, what was the journey from being a very seasoned nurse and what caused
Nan Wetherhorn
I think people think that they don't want to feel weak and seem weak, I guess. But I would always be like, tell me you're in pain. You don't want to be in pain in the ICU. Don't worry, we'll take care of it.
Host
switch over to wanting to get into advocacy. Well, starting with babies.
Nan Wetherhorn
Well, starting with babies.
And children, you are their advocate because they don't talk. So you learn, the longer you're a neonatal, you learn that their facial expressions, the way they hold their hands, you learn to watch them and to watch them monitor and go, yeah, we have to stop people from touching them because that's starting to make them go a little bit freaking out. Just let them be calm, let them calm down.
Host
you learn the facial expression.
Host
You're lying.
Host
them because that's starting to make them go.
Nan Wetherhorn
So you learn that there. But the reason I went into advocacy full force, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and it was in 2000. And she was, my mother was very smart. She really was. She was a pharmacist. She went to pharmacy school at Columbia during World War II when women didn't do pharmacy. So she knew what was happening. But when the doctor said to her, you have to,
Host
So you learn that there. But the reason I went into advocacy full force, my mother was diagnosed with cancer.
Host
My mother was very smart. She really was. She was a pharmacist. She went to pharmacy school at Columbia in World War II. My mother didn't do pharmacy. So she knew what was happening, but when the doctor said to her, you have cancer, you can have ovarian cancer, my mother looked at it and said, stop. My daughter, my sister, we went to Atlanta for that, to Emory.
Nan Wetherhorn
you have cancer, we think you have ovarian cancer. My mother looked at him and said, stop. Talked to my daughters. My sister lived, we went to Atlanta for that, to Emory. So she said, Nana's a nurse, Jan lives here, talk to them, they'll tell me everything because you just told me I'm gonna die. That's what cancer means to me. And so I thought then, what happens if you're by yourself?
Host
Jan lives here, talk to them, they'll tell me everything because you just told me I'm gonna die. That's what cancer means to me. And so I thought then.
Nan Wetherhorn
probably think the same thing, but then you just stop listening to what the doctor says and most of the time they don't tell you you're going to die tomorrow. They tell you a plan of care and you can't concentrate on it. So that's when I decided to do it.
Host
I think the same thing, the same thing, just stop listening to what the doctor says.
Host
Right. They tell you a plan of care and you can't concentrate on it. So that's what I decided to do. Is that the population that you specialize in? Kind of chronic or kind of severe illness? Anybody because I like all the different things. I went from neonatal to pediatric, neonatal to adult to pediatric.
Nan Wetherhorn
You know, I deal with anybody because I like all the different things. I went from neonatal to pediatric, neonatal to adult to pediatric and back to adults because I like the difference. I like the, and I've done medical, surgical, ICU. So I like all the different things that you can learn.
Host
Medical, surgical.
Host
one.
Nan Wetherhorn
Now, I just, I don't have one particular population. I do have children that I've been an advocate for. I do have, I'm in South Florida, so basically I have a lot of older people that the families call me, and they're like, they're killing my mother in the hospital. You've gotta go get her now. And I'll give them a, I'll say, could we start with your name? Because that is exactly how the call starts. And I'm like.
Host
I just, I don't.
I have children that I've been an advocate for. I do have, I'm in South Florida, so basically I have a lot of older people that the families calling and they're like, you're killing my mother in the hospital. You gotta go get her now.
Host
That is exactly how they're called. Wow. Let's go back and start with it. What's the numbers say? Where is she from? What city is she in? That's so interesting. When you, because of your nursing background, I assume there's a lot of clinical kind of guidance.
Nan Wetherhorn
So let's go back and start with your name. And now what's your mother's name? Now where is she in Florida? What city is she in? And it's like pulling teeth. But yeah.
Host
helping people in dire straits when they're, when they can't take care of their parents because they're just too far away. Where do you see your role start and stop as an advocate in terms of the guidance you give and the information kind of, where do you say, you know what, I'm not going to do this or that's inappropriate. And this is, this is where I'm, you know, used. This is where my value is at its highest.
Nan Wetherhorn
As an advocate...
Host
As an advocate.
Nan Wetherhorn
I deal mostly with the clinical and the medical side. And I will say, you know, I'm not, they'll say to me, my father's not paying his bills, can you do that? No, I really can't. That is not my area of expertise. I have a hard enough time for my own, so please, I'm not gonna do yours. And I try to make light, you know, make it, you know, I just don't do that for anybody, it's not just you. But I can recommend someone. So I've tried to have resources so that if I don't do this,
Host
No worries.
I will say, no, I'm not, they'll say.
Host
I have a hard time with time for my own. So please, I'm not going to do yours. And I try to make one. I just don't do that for anybody. It's not just me. But I can recommend someone. So I've tried to have resources so that if I don't do this, I'll recommend someone. Like fighting insurance, health insurance companies, I don't do that.
Nan Wetherhorn
I'll recommend someone. Like fighting health insurance companies, I don't do that, but I'll find someone who does. So that's what I do for my clients. I try to get them all the resources they can, that they could ever ask me about. Sometimes they come up with different things. I'm like, ooh, didn't hear that. Let me see what I can do for that. But yeah, I try to find the resources they need if I can't deal with it. And there are times I'm gonna say,
Host
So that's what I do for my clients. I try to give them all the resources they can. If they ever ask me about, sometimes they come up with.
Let me see what I can do for that. But yeah, I try to find the resources they need if I can't deal with it. And there are times I'm just gonna say, yeah, you need to call the doctor. This is something you really need to talk to a doctor.
Nan Wetherhorn
Yeah, you need to call the doctor. This is something you really need to talk to a doctor about, not me.
Host
And when you, you know, to put it up, to put it a little bit more detailed, the clinical kind of guidance you give, is it coordinating between specialists and primary care? Is, you know, how much of it has to do with medications? How much of it has to do with- I do all of that part. That part is, for me, that's the most-
Nan Wetherhorn
I do all of that part. That part is, for me, that's the most fun and the medications I'll always confirm with the doctor. I'll go through the medications, I go, hmm. Two blood pressure medications. There are people that need to. I wonder if this is that type of person. So let me send the medication list to the doctor, fax it to the doctor's office. It's their nurse practitioner that'll look at it usually. And...
Host
So let me.
to the doctor, back to the doctor's office. It's their nurse practitioner.
And just highlight or put a star by all the ones or question mark about this album. And you usually get a call back that says, why do they only focus on you? Interesting you should ask. I ask the same question. You're the primary doctor, so I start with you. Well, who wrote that? I think the doctor's name is Mike McEvoy. I'll put it on.
Nan Wetherhorn
just highlight or put a star by all the ones, or question mark with all of them. And I usually get a call back that says, why are they on both of these? Interesting, you should ask. I asked the same question. You're the primary doctor, so I start with you. Well, who wrote that prescription? I said, the doctor's name is right next to it, if you'll look, I put it on there for you. Okay, cardiologist. Because doctors don't talk to each other. Sadly, they don't.
Host
Doctors don't talk to each other. Sadly, they don't. And so how do you, as an advocate, get them to talk to each other? Do you just call them individually? I talk to the primary, and I always say, do you want to talk to the cardiologist?
Nan Wetherhorn
I talked to the primary and I always say do you want to talk to the cardiologist? And if they say no, I said then who's going to do I need to do that if they say yes, I do try to push back Because that's really not the role of an advocate. That's the role of the doctor To deal with the medications now. I will call them and I will say, you know, you both had this Medication. Dr. Smith stopped it. He's the primary
Host
who's going to do I need to do that? And they say, yes, I do try to push back because that's really not the role of an advocate. That's the role of a doctor to deal with the medication. Now I will call them and I will say, you know, you both have this medication. Dr. Smith stopped it, she's the primary. I'm not sure you knew about that. Have you talked to him?
Nan Wetherhorn
I wanted to be sure you knew about that. Have you talked to him? No, I haven't, but I'm gonna call him. Okay, Mr. Cardiologist, you do that. But I also keep a chronologically ordered medical timeline for each of my clients. So every time I go to the doctor, it's just a few sentences about it. And if they made any changes, what the change was. And I keep a three ring binder for each of my clients in their home. It's the hard copy, because a lot of my clients are elderly.
Host
And Mr. Cardiologist, if you do that. But I also keep a chronological. And I'll just keep it.
Host
It's just a few sentences about it. And if it made any changes, what the change was. And I keep a three-ring binder for each of my clients in their home.
A lot of my clients are elderly. They don't see the consumer face. So they don't go through and look at it and they can read what happens.
Nan Wetherhorn
They don't do the computer thing. So they'll go through and look at it and they can read what happened at the doctor's meeting. Oh, he didn't say I had to take that pill four times a day. Nope, that's not what it says on the prescription bottle. That's not what it says on your medication sheet. And that's not what the doctor said. So, yeah.
Host
because on the medication sheet, yeah, it's not with the doctors. Right. So just keeping track of things is a big deal, especially as you have kind of multiple diagnoses or you start getting up in age. Well, when you have nine doctors, Yeah. And they don't talk.
Nan Wetherhorn
Well, when you have nine doctors and they don't talk to each other, I always ask the primary to manage things, but I always check to be sure that it's being managed appropriately. And.
Host
What's the hardest part for your clients that, you know, you feel like you take a big weight off of their shoulders. Making sure that they understand what the doctor said. And how do you, how do you do that? Are you in the room with them? Are you reviewing notes? Because my feet is not cute. I tell my clients, if you don't want me to sit and wait, if you see the doctor,
Nan Wetherhorn
making sure that they understand what the doctor said and that they follow through with it.
Nan Wetherhorn
Oh yeah, okay, because my fee is not cheap, I tell my clients, if you don't want me to sit and wait with you to see the doctor, totally understand that, call me when you're in front of the doctor, and then I will ask questions, and I'm listening and I'm writing everything the doctor's saying. And I tell them before I start, I'm gonna be taking notes and writing everything down, I can send it to you so you can review it, see if I've missed anything.
Host
I'm going to tell them before, sorry, I'm going to be taking notes and writing everything down. I can send it to you so you can review it. See if I missed anything. Usually I don't, and the doctor is like, oh, I'm not going to send it. Perfect. So, and it becomes part of the medical record.
Nan Wetherhorn
Usually I don't and the doctors are like, oh, I forgot that I said that, that's good, thanks. So, and it becomes part of the medical record. So the doctors love me too. Because it's just taking notes and making sure that all of the pertinent information, yes, and it's exactly, and that the client can go back and read it afterwards and go, I thought it was worse. It's really not so bad.
Host
The doctors love me too. Yeah. Because it's just taking notes and making sure It's organized, it's clear. Everybody's on the same page, sure. Exactly. And the client can go back and read it.
Nan Wetherhorn
And I have caught and I have gone to the portals. They give me access to the patient portal. And I have found once or twice that the doctor's note didn't match what the doctor said to us in the appointment. And I let the doctor know that. And I got a call from the doctor that said, I am so sorry, I used a template and I didn't watch it. I didn't watch things. I'm gonna go back and correct it right now. Thank you for catching that.
Host
And I have gone to the portals.
Host
No.
Host
Yeah, a lot of people just get too busy. I mean, doctors are human and they make those mistakes. You know, that's the thing. And I tell people you don't.
Nan Wetherhorn
You know, that's the thing. And I tell people, you don't expect your doctor to be like Marcus Welby, you know, like the old fashioned doctors on TV, because they don't do that anymore. If you go to a teaching institution, most of the doctors there, in order to maintain their position, have to teach, see patients, and do research.
Host
that anymore. If you go to a teaching institution, most of the doctors there, or to maintain a position, have to teach, see patients, and do research.
Big load.
Nan Wetherhorn
and seeing a lot of patients. I mean, I'm very lucky that the doctors I choose for my clients, because I find second opinions for them, and they have spent an hour with my clients, an hour, even on Zoom. They turn the screen around so you can see the x-ray, you can see the CAT scan go through everything. Really, really incredible. So I'm very fortunate that I have doctors that
Host
Wow. An hour, even on Zoom. They turn the screen around so you can see x-rays, you can see the cap scan, it does everything. Really, really incredible. I'm very fortunate that I have doctors that I can go to and say, who would you recommend? And I want everybody to just come in. That's wonderful. That alone is worth the price of admission, getting the right connections, the right doctors, yeah. I have people who've hired me just to get their...
Nan Wetherhorn
I can go to and say, who would you recommend? And I know that they're gonna be just like them.
Nan Wetherhorn
I have people, yes, I have people who've hired me just to get them a second opinion.
Host
Amazing. So what's some good advice you would give, let's say you get a new client, the first thing we're gonna do, is you start the three-ring binder or you get the history, what's the first thing? What I'm asking is, what's the problem? Mm-hmm. What's the main issue and what's the second issue? And once I say what's the problem, it's usually 30 minutes. Yeah. And it's everybody.
Nan Wetherhorn
Well, the first thing I ask him is, what's the problem?
What's the main issue? Then what's the second issue? And once I say what's the problem, that's usually 30 minutes. And it's every problem. And so I'm taking notes the whole time and then I go back and I say, okay, let's organize this. The big problem is you've gone from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility and now they're telling you you're on Medicare, you only have like 21 days.
and the patient's not doing as well as they thought. So what are you gonna do? How are you gonna take them home like this? Well, take a step back, let's see, can we get more time in the facility? How do we do that? Well, we talk to the doctors and we talk to the case manager, talk to physical therapy, the doctors, the case manager. We're gonna have a family conference. You can do that? I said, of course you can, you should do that. You should always ask for a family conference. The doctors and the staff need to sit down with you.
Host
Yeah.
Host
We're going to have a family conference. You can do that. Of course you can. You should do that. You should always ask for a family conference. The doctors and the staff need to sit down with you and give you the lead on the way up there, how they work, and what they're doing.
Nan Wetherhorn
and give you the lay of the land there, how they work, and what we're gonna be looking for. What are the milestones that we need to see in order to say he's doing better? What happens when they don't happen on their timeline? So when you put it like that, it's a much calmer, more structured way of doing things. And the same in the hospital. I get so tired of people saying, they're gonna kick me out, they're gonna put me on the street. And I say, who told you that?
Host
So when you put it like that, it's much calmer, more structured way of doing things. The same in a hospital. I get so tired of people calling. They're gonna kick me out. They're gonna put me on the street. Who told you that?
Nan Wetherhorn
They would never do that. Oh man, they said they would. And I'll say to them, if they ever really do something like that, I would have every news station in the country here and they would have a field day. They will never sit you outside. And they've, some, I've heard them tell people that. I've heard my clients say that nobody would really do that. So I don't know where they get that from, but yeah.
Host
ever really do something like that. I would have every news station in the country here.
Host
Yeah. They will never sit you outside. And I've heard them tell people that. I've heard my clients say that, nobody would really do that. I don't know where they get that from. But yeah. Yeah. So that's my piece. That really annoys me. It really does. Don't scare people. Yeah. They fight into nothing in this situation. Yeah.
Nan Wetherhorn
So that's my biggest, that really annoys me. It really does. Don't scare people. They're frightened enough in this situation.
Host
No, I, and I, and I've remember even with my own grandparents and relatives in hospitals, there was this fear that they're going to be on the street or kicked out prior to getting care. And it is a pervasive fear that you hear from a lot of patients.
Nan Wetherhorn
Yeah, the elderly usually are afraid, especially if they've got nobody there. And I love it, you asked what makes me feel good. When the client calls me and says, man, they said I'm gonna be discharged today, but they told me, don't worry, you're taking care of everything. Because I've already given them, the day of admission, I've given the case manager my top two choices if they're on Medicare, Medicare Nursing Company. I've given them my top three choices of home care, private home care.
Host
And I love it. You asked what makes me feel good. When I.
Host
You're taking care of everything. Because I've already given them the damn admission. I've given the case manager.
Nan Wetherhorn
if they need that. I've given them my top two choices of rehab facilities if they need that. They have everything they need.
Host
I've given them my top two choices of rehab facilities if they need that. They have everything they need.
Nan Wetherhorn
And they're not gonna leave unless I'm there to take them out and they know that.
Host
and we're not gonna leave unless I'm here to take them out. You know that? Yeah, that's kind of an end to end white glove kind of service. So one thing I also was really struck by with the way you run your advocacy businesses, you really push for people to learn how to be their own advocate and to kind of do the digging themselves and kind of get their hands dirty and to do it early. You know, to...
Nan Wetherhorn
Yeah.
Host
people in their 20s and 30s can kind of get a head start. You don't have to wait till you're in your 50s, 60s, 70s to take your health seriously. And you've put together a really interesting kind of resource called the Map to Healthy, Map to Good Health. Map to Good Health for healthy living. And you can find, we're gonna, she's gonna, Nan's gonna talk more about this, but you can find it online at livinghealth.
Nan Wetherhorn
The map to good health for healthy living.
Host
with nan.com that's NAN. So living healthy with nan.com. You can read more about it, but tell me in your own words, what was the impetus for this? First of all, what is it? Um.
Nan Wetherhorn
Okay. It's, um...
It's this 75 plus questionnaire that contains all of your health information, your insurance information, everything you would need to have when you go to see a doctor, if you go to an emergency room, if you go to an urgent care center, everything is there. So you don't have to remember it. You've already done it. Now it's like six or seven pages. It includes your medications, everything, but it's what you need to be able to give a doctor. And it includes your
Host
This 75 plus questionnaire contains all of your health information, your insurance information, everything you would need to have when you go see a doctor. If you go to an emergency room, if you go to an urgent care center, everything is there. So you don't have to remember it. You've already done it. It's like six or seven pages. It includes your medications, everything. But it's what you need to be able to give a doctor. And it includes your.
Nan Wetherhorn
your health history and your family health history, which is so important nowadays. We know all about that, how that can help doctors take better care of you. So that's what this particular thing is. And I think everybody should have one because like I said, no more Marcus Welby. You gotta take care of your own health. The doctors can only work with what you give them. And half the time, I think anybody out there will tell you.
Host
your health history and your family health history, which is so important nowadays. We know all about that. That can help doctors take care of you. So that's what this particular thing is. And I think everybody should have one. Because like I said, no more Marcus Welby. You got to take care of your own health. And doctors can only work with what you give them. And half the time, I think anybody out there
Nan Wetherhorn
I went to the doctor. I forgot to ask him about this or I forgot to mention this. It's kind of important I wonder should I call him back? You won't have to do that. This will have everything you need right there
Host
I went to the doctor, I forgot to ask him about this. I forgot to mention this. How important, I want to share. You won't have to do that. This will have everything made right there. Yeah, I love that idea. I'm a big person who believes in preparing. The better prepared you are, especially when you consider the doctors often only give you 10 minutes.
And so if you're not prepared when you go in for those 10 minutes, you can blow them pretty quickly. Just saying, Oh yeah, I'm fine. I'm okay. Or if you're a guy and you, and you don't want to kind of, you know, really be super honest about the pain you have, then it's, it's not going to go so well for you.
Nan Wetherhorn
Well, and I add at the end of this, I add questions you need to ask your doctor and I break it up into men, women and children. And basically men, they hate talking about the prostate cancer, but ask about your PSA, when do you need to start with that? Women, when do you need to start with a mammogram? When do you need to, do you need a BRCA test? What's it for? Is this important in your family history? So that's why, and I really,
Host
without your PSA, when do you start?
You need to stop at the mammogram. When do you need to stop?
Host
So that's why, and I really think people need to know, particularly breast cancer and female cancer are more prevalent in osteoarthritis. So is that your background, is that your culture, your doctor needs to know that. So those are some of the things that I put in there. Yeah, and it comes with little bonuses to help you with an emergency, prepare for an emergency room visit, how to be your own patient. Questions?
Nan Wetherhorn
think people need to know, particularly breast cancer and female cancers are more prevalent in Ashkenazi Jews. So is that who you, is that your background? Is that your culture? Your doctor needs to know that. So those are some of the things that I put in there. But yeah, and it comes with little bonuses to help you with an emergency, prepare for an emergency room visit, how to be your own patient advocate, the questions to ask, what you need to think of.
Host
to think of. How do that, a little brief PDF that's about how to navigate the health insurance piece. And then I also put in there what functional medicine doctor is and what's different from conventional medicine.
Nan Wetherhorn
A little brief PDF that's about how to navigate the health insurance piece. And then I also put in there what a functional medicine doctor is and what's different from conventional medicine.
Nan Wetherhorn
Did I lose you? Yeah, I don't see you anymore. Okay, as long as you see me, it's fine. Yeah. Okay, yeah, because it left my screen. So yeah, functional medicine versus conventional medicine for the elderly, the benefits of using a senior placement specialist, how to find your perfect doctor and how to leave your current doctor if you don't like them.
Host
Everything okay. I'm here. Yeah, I don't see you anymore. Okay, as long as you see me, it's fine. Yeah, you're coming in clear. I'll mark this clip so we can cut it out. But okay. Yeah, cuz it So yeah, personal medicine versus conventional medicine. How to
Nan Wetherhorn
in a nice way. So those are some things, and it all comes from questions people have asked me. Because I've said to people, you know, you need to leave your doctor. Honey, I've had him for 25 years. So well, it's time to find a new one because he's probably gonna retire soon. Oh. So, and some of the times we have to change doctors because of their insurance. They go to an advantage plan or a plan that they're no longer in the network for.
Host
But those are some things that, and it all comes from questions people have asked me. Because I've said to people, you know, you need to.
Host
Yeah. And some of the times we have to change doctors because of their insurance. They go to an advantage plan or a plan that they're no longer in a network for. And that's very disconcerting for a mom. So I try to help them with that. And so this has things that you can do with yourself. Or for your loved one, if you're helping out your mom or your dad, sure. Your husband, look,
Nan Wetherhorn
And that's very disconcerting for a lot of elderly people. So I try to help them with that. And so this has things that you can do it yourself. It's just time consuming. Right. Exactly. For your husband, look, we know the wives are the ones that usually take care of everybody's healthcare. They call and make the appointments. They talk to the doctor. They called in a pharmacy. So this is a way to...
Host
take care of everybody's health care. They call and make the appointments. They talk to the doctor. They call the pharmacy. So this is a way to help them manage all of this.
Nan Wetherhorn
help them manage all of this different healthcare.
Host
Yeah, well, I think it's an amazing resource. I can only imagine how happy a doctor would be to have this handed to them. I have actually used it with I've walked in and. And I was in a teaching hospital and he actually looked at it. He turned to his fellows and this is why you need a patient advocate. Look at this, look at this. This is everything that we need to know.
Nan Wetherhorn
I have actually used it with, I've walked in and handed it to a doctor and it was at a teaching hospital. And he actually looked at it and he said, he turned to his fellows in residence, he goes, this is why you need a patient advocate. Look at this, look at this. This is everything that we need to know. He said, she could be unconscious, it would still be fine. We have all of the information right here. And I said, thanks a lot. But it is true because for my clients that have gone into emergency rooms,
Host
I have all the information right here. And I sit and draw. But it is true because when my clients have gone into emergency rooms, if I can't go with them during COVID, I get back to them. And I would call to be sure they got the facts. And the reception person would say, just do the adoption as you talk to them. And the first question is, did you do this? Yes, I did.
Nan Wetherhorn
I fax, if I can't go with them during COVID, I could fax it in. And I would call to be sure they got the fax and the reception person would say, just a minute, the doctor needs to talk to you. And the first question is, did you do this? I think, yes, I did. Who else would? And they go, this is fantastic because the patient's having a hard time talking. I said, I know he's on oxygen, it's hard. So this should answer all of your questions. And if it doesn't, please call me because I do have the answers for you.
Host
This is fantastic.
Nan Wetherhorn
So that's something I take off of the patient's shoulders and the family's shoulders. So yeah.
Host
Nan, did I lose you? No, I'm still here. Okay. Great, you blocked out for a sec, but I got you back. Okay. I think we got everything we need, so I'm just going to kind of wrap it up and kind of plug your URL again for you, all right? Awesome, thank you. Sure thing. Nan, it was amazing learning about your kind of amazing travel journey as a nurse, and I know that I'm probably gonna be picking up the map to good...
Nan Wetherhorn
No, I'm still here. Okay.
Nan Wetherhorn
Okay.
Nan Wetherhorn
Okay, perfect.
Awesome, thank you.
Nan Wetherhorn
Hehehe
Host
Health for Healthy Living for my family. I'll probably leave it on my wife's desk for her to fill out, like you said. And again, the URL for anyone listening is livi Thank you so much for being on the podcast. Thank you so much.
Nan Wetherhorn
Hahaha
Nan Wetherhorn
Thank you so much, John. I appreciate it.
