All Channels

I use Carepaton. I just started my business and found it very easy to use. It does have a BAA and the client does not need an account to sign the documents I send them. I pay $50 a month. It has an AI script and many templates to use for your notes. Hope this helps!

I am looking forward to the upcoming lecture. I have a few questions and thoughts regarding the discussions around AI regulation.

When people advocate for limits on AI, are they primarily protecting society, or could these restrictions inadvertently limit access to a technology that could benefit everyone?

In my experience working with Aphaia, AI served as a tool to help express my own thoughts rather than generating opinions or ideas for me. With my background and education, I view AI as a platform to assist communication while still actively challenging and shaping the content myself.

I look forward to hearing your perspective on these points during the session.

Welcome, James. Fifteen years of managing your own care and your father's across that many systems is real expertise, and I'd love to connect, since I am also new and my clients often need exactly the kind of organized record you build and yours may sometimes need a physician's read on what's in it. I am located in the Charlotte, NC area. If you 'd like to connect here is my calendar:

link.gethealthstrategix.com/widget/bookings/colleague-connection-call

Welcome James! As I grow my business, my niche is GI cancers. I am in Washington, DC—together we cover both coasts. I would love to connect for 30 minutes to discuss ideal referrals, creating a personal health record, and more.

If interested, you can pick a meeting time at www.care-champions.com/networking

Nice to meet you, James. I look forward to working with you. Have a wonderful day and thank you for all you do.

Great post! I am also in SWFL and see this too often with our seasonal residents. Thanks for sharing

carolanne,
thanks for making htis post/!
can i suggest that you also submit it as a blog? it will get seen by a different readrership there, and we'd love to have it in both places.

I took my father who has MD to Italy and Greece, and we rented a scooter that can be easily collapsed to go in a trunk for taxis. A wheelchair on bricks and cobble is a nightmare. If he can still navigate on a scooter, I highly recommend renting one when you arrive in Paris.
We also booked tours that are 'accessible' which was great for easily navigating the sights.
Have a great time! Cheers

Oh, this is a fantastic gig!
I have a few quick nursing ideas to keep in mind:

1. Safety / mobility: On the flight, get him up and moving every 1–2 hours. Wear compression socks on the plane and when out and about. Good supportive shoes matter, especially ones that can be loosened if his feet swell. Plan for wheelchair or other mobility support as needed, and know where bathrooms are whenever possible.

2. Medications: Keep all medications and essential medical supplies with you in carry-on luggage, not checked bags. Bring extra medication in case of travel delays. Have an updated medication list with doses. For anything that needs temperature control, look into travel thermoses specifically designed to keep medications at a safe temperature for extended periods.

3. Energy: Plan around endurance. Build sightseeing into blocks with scheduled rest, meals, bathroom breaks, and recovery time. Plan for extra rest after arrival and keep the schedule flexible based on how he is doing that day.

4. Hydration / nutrition: Electrolyte packets can be mixed into water bottles and work really well for long flights and travel days. Various high-protein snacks also work well.

The big nursing issues I would be thinking about are falls, fatigue, hydration, mobility, medication access, and blood-clot prevention.

Have fun with your planning. Remember me if you need a replacement for some reason :)

Hi Annie

I am a former SLP and now advocate. Have a good bit of experience with Parkinson’s patients. If you have questions feel free to reach out
Have you checked your local Parkinson’s organizations? I’m sure you have as you helped your mom

Kind regards
Angie Galatas
Medical Advocacy Plus

Hello Annie:

What are you looking for in terms of a mentor?

My background is close to 10 years (1/2027 will be 10) as a registered nurse who, from that perspective, has always advocated for my patients, and I do have experience with loved ones who have Parkinson's Disease as well as Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and related neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases.

I'm relatively new as an independent patient advocate and have my BCPA exam scheduled for Saturday, 10/10.

I've written the following articles that may be helpful:

* compassioncrossing.info/how-to-identify-end-stage-parkinsons-for-hospice-admission/

* compassioncrossing.info/understanding-parkinsons-disease-a-guide-for-families/

* compassioncrossing.info/parkinsons-vs-alzheimers-key-differences-explained/

* compassioncrossing.info/navigating-parkinsons-disease-a-compassionate-guide-to-advance-care-planning-palliative-care-and-hospice-support/

Please do know that my personal business — Compassion Crossing, LLC — at compassioncrossing.info/ covers more than advocacy, and since I don't accept insurance, it is very sporadic for me to obtain clients. Most of my clients to date have been seeking help with value-based advance care planning (which is very different from the traditional method), and I just started working as a 1099 healthcare advocate for Solace Health.

HIPAA and personal privacy always matter, so I'm not sure how mentorship would work.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Thank you.

I am new as well to Advocacy but 40 years previous business knowledge. That is I owned my own place during that time. It would be easier for you to just call me at 513-673-6987

D. John Bishop

Try reaching out to Natasha Romantal, you can find her by searching for her on the GNA database.

I know patients using this approach. I understand it is expected to be less effctive because some of the cromolyn is too close to meals. but people who can't do 4oz at a time or have otherchallenges around the normal dosing.

I take mine in gatorade (can't do striaght water) but do the 4 oz liquid to 1/2 tube cromolyn 4x daily which works for me.

I put some comments down in the previous post! If you are not clicking and reviewing this tool with more information on facilities… you are missing it!!! Facilities- I try to visit where I can, even if I don't have a patient. I want to know the options… And if a hospital Case Manager gives someone a list, please tell them they absolutely need to go SEE it… listen, smell and talk to the residents.

Sue thank you so much for your words of wisdom it really helps a lot. I may just take you up on your offer to talk soon.

Aimee,
Wow, you have already done great work. You built enough trust that he agreed to return. This is an incredibly complicated situation, so I would break it into small steps. By the end of this post I think you will know why his brain is flight out of the survival responses of fight, flight, or freeze.
Stabilize his body first.
Ask for a formal addiction medicine consult along with palliative care or a cancer-pain specialist. Fentanyl withdrawal, opioid tolerance, cancer pain, fear, and other medical factors are all overlapping. He needs specialists who can treat the addiction, cancer, and cancer pain all together, not as separate problems.
Give back as much control as possible.
In my nursing experience, anger was often the visible layer covering fear and loss of control. Offer small, genuine choices whenever possible. Even small choices can help someone feel like a person again.
“Would you rather talk now or after you rest?”
“Would you like me to stay while the doctor explains this?”
“Would you like to focus on today’s plan or tomorrow’s plan?”
Speak to the here and now.
When someone is in severe pain, withdrawal, fear, or survival mode, warnings about what might happen months from now mean very little. His brain may only be thinking, “How do I get through this moment?”
Try:
“Let’s concentrate on getting you through today.”
“What is making this feel unbearable right now?”
“What would make the next two hours more manageable?”
Do not turn leaving into a power struggle. It is his right to choose.
If he wakes up wanting to leave and has the ability to make that decision, be honest without judging or shaming him:
“I really want you to stay because I am concerned about you. I also hear that you want to leave. Before you go, can we make a plan so you do not have to start from the beginning when you are ready to come back?”
Give choices:
“Would you like me to schedule the next appointment, or would you rather we have someone call you?”
“If you leave today, may I call you tomorrow?”
Most importantly, let him know the door remains open.
Build one coordinated plan.
If possible, have an oncology navigator, addiction specialist, pain specialist, cancer specialist, case manager, social worker, and recovery specialist, and yourself as the person to coordinate the pieces.
He may feel as though he has failed at life, failed because of the addiction, and now his body has failed him too. Addiction is a medical condition, not a moral failure. His response to this overwhelming cancer situation may be dangerous, but it is also understandable.
The immediate goal may not be getting him to commit to months of treatment. It may be helping him feel safe and in control enough to take the next step.
When I was an oncology nurse, I cared for patients in similar situations. It can be a long roller-coaster process with plenty of ups, downs, side-to-sides, and even a few pirouettes. This is a tough situation for your patient and for you.
Please reach out if you want to talk through any part of it. I am happy to help.
Sue

This is great tool! I have looked up many of the ALF and memory care units in my area with the state board before touring. People would be astounded by how many «5 star» Google reviewed facilities have multiple fines, deficiencies, and complaints listed with AHCA, many of which are still open or are detrimental to people already living there. Thank you for sharing this tool, would love to see SW Florida included

This is SO on target! I am sorry I hadn't made it to this post earlier!
I fully agree with your post and the need for choices and autonomy of the patient. They are still a person! Though my dad made it to 95, his cognitive ability was better than most 20 years younger then he… with a very mild cognitive deficit that frankly most see in their 60s. He was still mobile and could participate in life. His biggest issues were his hearing -which isolates people- so I was able to get him fitted with hearing aides that helped. However, his O2 hose- that was the enemy. (ie falls) Some of the family felt a nursing home would have been best, it likely would have not stopped the falls, but it would have broken his spirit.

Often we need to ask, best for whom? No judgement, but if it isn't best for family, then look at it as a challenge to find what is best for both...patient and family. Break up tasks, enlist a friend or neighbor or maybe a day program a couple days a week can break things up. Doing a placement and then watching someone going downhill and lingering at a facility is even more difficult, in my humble opinion. Then- family stops visiting. That is very heavy for everyone. It «takes a village» is true here as well.

Assisted living inspection reports are managed by the states. I will be connecting my free tool to all states in the future but it takes some time! Right now, I have CA and AZ. Comment below with the state you would like to see next. I am really excited about the plain language summary of deficiencies from the tool. Have you guys tried it yet? How can I improve it?

Hi, I’m Mel, a board-certified Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. I have 20 years of experience in endocrinology, intensive care, and diabetes management. I also have extensive personal and professional experience supporting individuals and families affected by dementia. I am based in the Chicago area and offer self-pay services; I do not accept insurance. I would be happy to partner if self-pay is an option for you.

Hi Xena,
I am not in the Chicago area but may be able to help virtually if the clients are in a position to do so. Feel free to reach out if I can be of assistance.

Hi Xena,

Thanks for reaching out! I live in a northern suburb of Chicago and have extensive experience with Diabetes Management.

I offer a 10-minute complimentary consultation to clients and work both in person and virtually. I'd love to discuss more to determine if I'm a good fit for collaborating with you and your client.

I'm getting married in 2 weeks and will be available to take on new clients after 9/7.

Meanwhile, I hope you find some great advocates who can help!

Marilyn Kier, BCPA, BCTMB