Tracy Kersey
MA, LPN, CCM, CRC
Stepping Stone Advocacy Services
Tracy Kersey
MA, LPN, CCM, CRC
Stepping Stone Advocacy Services
Advocate Location
Land O' Lakes , FL 34639
Specialty
Special Care & Aging
Other Services
Medical Guidance
TeleAdvocacy Available
Offers FREE Initial Consultation
*Greater National Advocates Terms of Use Apply
How I Can Help
You are the important piece of the puzzle, and YOU are the one who makes the decisions. As an advocate, I support you and I have the expertise, experience and education to bring you the information, ideas, and strategizes to resolve what has been an issue for you.
Below is a list of some of the things I can help you with.
Interpreting what the physician said, a medical report, the results of testing or maybe confirm what you already know. I can (depending on where you are located), meet you and attend a physician visit with you. I have been a case manager over 30 years, and the physicians should be OK with an advocate or a family member coming to the appointment with you. I can ask questions for you or interpret the physician's response in the meeting or afterwards. Most physicians are ok with you bringing in Zoom on your phone so I can be there virtually!
Do you have a caregiver and need help communicating better? Or are you a caregiver looking for some assistance being the best caregiver you can be? Are you challenged with catching your breath, getting everything done, and having energy to take care of your own needs? I can help!
As a patient, is your physician listening to you? Do you feel s/he doesn't 'get it'? Are you wondering if you need a new physician, a different approach, or maybe a different specialty? Or has your physician given you directions that are confusing or you aren't sure you can figure it out on your own? An advocate can do all of this and more. Do you need a Center of medical Excellence for your diagnosis? Or, are you needing surgery and are concerned both about surgery and aftercare? Let's discuss!
Maybe you are sad or lonely and retirement isn't the golden years with medical appointments and unfamiliar medications. Others feel similar and you really aren't alone. Let's come up with some ideas to change things up!
If your family isn't close by, but they worry about you. A Patient Advocate can also work with your family and you to find ways for you to be safe, understand your medical needs, and a few things you haven't thought of yet!
You went to the doctor, waiting for an idea of what your diagnosis is, but when you leave his office, you are still confused. What did he say? What does that all mean? Now you are more confused that you were before you went in. Yes, an advocate can help you!
I am very concerned with your health and wellbeing.
Together we will work together with a goal of understanding information but always with strategies to reach your goals!
Below is a list of some of the things I can help you with.
Interpreting what the physician said, a medical report, the results of testing or maybe confirm what you already know. I can (depending on where you are located), meet you and attend a physician visit with you. I have been a case manager over 30 years, and the physicians should be OK with an advocate or a family member coming to the appointment with you. I can ask questions for you or interpret the physician's response in the meeting or afterwards. Most physicians are ok with you bringing in Zoom on your phone so I can be there virtually!
Do you have a caregiver and need help communicating better? Or are you a caregiver looking for some assistance being the best caregiver you can be? Are you challenged with catching your breath, getting everything done, and having energy to take care of your own needs? I can help!
As a patient, is your physician listening to you? Do you feel s/he doesn't 'get it'? Are you wondering if you need a new physician, a different approach, or maybe a different specialty? Or has your physician given you directions that are confusing or you aren't sure you can figure it out on your own? An advocate can do all of this and more. Do you need a Center of medical Excellence for your diagnosis? Or, are you needing surgery and are concerned both about surgery and aftercare? Let's discuss!
Maybe you are sad or lonely and retirement isn't the golden years with medical appointments and unfamiliar medications. Others feel similar and you really aren't alone. Let's come up with some ideas to change things up!
If your family isn't close by, but they worry about you. A Patient Advocate can also work with your family and you to find ways for you to be safe, understand your medical needs, and a few things you haven't thought of yet!
You went to the doctor, waiting for an idea of what your diagnosis is, but when you leave his office, you are still confused. What did he say? What does that all mean? Now you are more confused that you were before you went in. Yes, an advocate can help you!
I am very concerned with your health and wellbeing.
Together we will work together with a goal of understanding information but always with strategies to reach your goals!
Important Information About Me
- I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
- I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
- My geographical area of practice is Tampa Bay Region out to Ocala, Bradenton, Lakeland
Why I Became A Professional Health Care Advocate
Life happens along the way to all of us. I had three family members that I became, by default, their healthcare person and advocate. By the 2nd person I was a caregiver for, pushed me to go to nursing school. I already had 2 college degrees and a few certifications, but I was compelled to go to nursing school. It was a great decision!
My third family member was my father and he was a WWII Vet. He had services from the VA and they treated him very well! He was 95 when he passed and the last year and a half of his life was challenging. A fall caused him to be on the floor just over 24 hours. My family and I were sure he had forgotten to turn on his phone that day, as I had spoken with him the night before. Unfortunately, it was much more than a charging phone, it was a phone he could not reach. I became my Dad's caregiver after this fall caused him a fractured arm and pelvis, thankfully non-surgical. Before the fall, everyone was worried about my dad living alone. He had a medic alert button but refused to wear it. He didn't need surgery but was put in ICU after the fall. I came to the hospital as often as I could to see him (they allowed me to visit, but it was during Covid) On day 3 they told me the 'good news', that he was well enough to go to the regular floor. It was shift change and I went in to see him in ICU. Dad didn't look at me and only would respond to me with the word "no". I see the staff getting him ready to move to the floor as I voiced concerns. In the end and with some medical terms and references, they re-evaluated my dad and realized that his cognition was very off, and he wasn't leaving the ICU that night. Given a few more days in ICU and a week on the regular floor he was my dad again! From there we had challenges in his temporary stay in skilled nursing, but at discharge he went home and I stayed and cared for him. The agreement with my dad was I would stay with him for a month and he would need to participate with physical therapy to strengthen himself and be able to safely stay at home. We also added safety equipment and a way to monitor the house, but only with my dad's complete permission and with total transparency. In fact, he had the control of turning on and off the system. He too didn't want another fall without a back-up plan. He also started wearing his medic alert button. After this first incident, there were others, but he lived the life he hoped to, in his own home. There was a lot of coordination and other services he utilized, but he was tough and lucky that he was able to live as he wished to. I spent time with my dad as his caregiver that was challenging but sweet. I learned a lot during this time. My first two family members were much easier, but I was able to make a bigger impact with my dad which allowed him to meet his goals. If I had an advocate and had just been the caregiver, I wouldn't have been quite as exhausted. Now I can be the advocate to help support others in this journey! There will always be hiccups, but the more support and options you have, the easier it can be. Having an ADVOCATE means not being alone, there is someone that can listen, and help you through the hiccups along the way. You don't have to be alone in your process.
One more thing that is so important, your instincts as a daughter, spouse, son, etc, is very important. If something doesn't feel right, YOU might just be right. Trust your gut to at least look deeper and if you need help with this, please call an advocate. Better for your person to be SAFE!
My third family member was my father and he was a WWII Vet. He had services from the VA and they treated him very well! He was 95 when he passed and the last year and a half of his life was challenging. A fall caused him to be on the floor just over 24 hours. My family and I were sure he had forgotten to turn on his phone that day, as I had spoken with him the night before. Unfortunately, it was much more than a charging phone, it was a phone he could not reach. I became my Dad's caregiver after this fall caused him a fractured arm and pelvis, thankfully non-surgical. Before the fall, everyone was worried about my dad living alone. He had a medic alert button but refused to wear it. He didn't need surgery but was put in ICU after the fall. I came to the hospital as often as I could to see him (they allowed me to visit, but it was during Covid) On day 3 they told me the 'good news', that he was well enough to go to the regular floor. It was shift change and I went in to see him in ICU. Dad didn't look at me and only would respond to me with the word "no". I see the staff getting him ready to move to the floor as I voiced concerns. In the end and with some medical terms and references, they re-evaluated my dad and realized that his cognition was very off, and he wasn't leaving the ICU that night. Given a few more days in ICU and a week on the regular floor he was my dad again! From there we had challenges in his temporary stay in skilled nursing, but at discharge he went home and I stayed and cared for him. The agreement with my dad was I would stay with him for a month and he would need to participate with physical therapy to strengthen himself and be able to safely stay at home. We also added safety equipment and a way to monitor the house, but only with my dad's complete permission and with total transparency. In fact, he had the control of turning on and off the system. He too didn't want another fall without a back-up plan. He also started wearing his medic alert button. After this first incident, there were others, but he lived the life he hoped to, in his own home. There was a lot of coordination and other services he utilized, but he was tough and lucky that he was able to live as he wished to. I spent time with my dad as his caregiver that was challenging but sweet. I learned a lot during this time. My first two family members were much easier, but I was able to make a bigger impact with my dad which allowed him to meet his goals. If I had an advocate and had just been the caregiver, I wouldn't have been quite as exhausted. Now I can be the advocate to help support others in this journey! There will always be hiccups, but the more support and options you have, the easier it can be. Having an ADVOCATE means not being alone, there is someone that can listen, and help you through the hiccups along the way. You don't have to be alone in your process.
One more thing that is so important, your instincts as a daughter, spouse, son, etc, is very important. If something doesn't feel right, YOU might just be right. Trust your gut to at least look deeper and if you need help with this, please call an advocate. Better for your person to be SAFE!
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