Karen Bartrom

My work in patient advocacy started at the bedside, not as a business plan. As a hospital nurse case manager, I sat with patients and families every day, helping them prepare for discharge. I listened to what mattered to them and worked to build a safe plan forward. What I saw over time was a pattern. The plan might make sense to the hospital, but families often felt rushed, confused, and unsure what they were agreeing to. Working inside the system, I understood the pressure hospitals face. Shorter stays, insurance requirements, and fast-moving decisions leave little time for full conversations. Important details can be missed or not explained in a way that families can use. The result is a discharge plan that feels incomplete to the people who have to carry it out. In 2019, I started a geriatric care management business, My Nurse Navigator, while continuing in hospital leadership. Every client asked the same question in different ways. “How is anyone supposed to understand this?” That question made it clear the issue was not effort. It was access to clear, usable information at the right time. I closed that business and founded The American Senior Citizen to reach more people through education. I wrote Advocate Without Apology to give families the guidance I wished they had at the bedside. Clear explanations of Medicare discharge rights, what questions to ask, and how to stay involved in decisions. Today, I focus on helping people understand what is happening, recognize when something does not feel right, and speak up with confidence. When families have that clarity, decisions become more thoughtful and less rushed, and the plan is more likely to truly fit the patient.

Lutheran College of Health Professions, ASN 1994, Fort Wayne, Indiana Lutheran College of Health Professions, BSN 1998, Fort Wayne, Indiana Regis University MSN 2011, Healthcare Education, Denver, Colorado

Caregiver coaching and decision support-Provides calm, step-by-step guidance during hospital stays, helping families organize information, ask the right questions, and move forward with clarity Medicare discharge rights and hospital status expertise-Clear understanding of inpatient vs observation status, required Medicare notices, and how to respond when a hospital discharge feels rushed or unsafe Strategic communication and advocacy-Guides patients and families on what to ask, who to ask, and how to stay actively involved in hospital and discharge decisions Hospital case management leadership since 2006-Led case management and social work teams with direct insight into how hospital decisions are made and how system pressures impact care and discharge planning Experience across large, rural, and critical access hospitals-Understands how care options, resources, and discharge planning vary based on hospital setting Founder of The American Senior Citizen, LLC-Created a resource platform that provides practical, easy-to-use guidance for patients, caregivers, and families navigating complex healthcare situations Former owner of a geriatric care management company-Direct experience supporting older adults and families through real-world care transitions across settings Ability to simplify complex healthcare systems-Translates Medicare regulations and hospital processes into clear, actionable steps that can be used in real time Awareness of senior-focused legislation-Ongoing attention to policies that impact access to care, coverage decisions, and caregiver responsibilities National speaker on healthcare issues-Educates caregivers and professionals on hospital navigation, Medicare rights, and patient advocacy Author of Advocate Without Apology-Provides practical guidance to help caregivers advocate clearly, avoid common missteps, and make informed decisions during a hospital stay

• I offer a FREE Initial Consultation
• I offer TeleAdvocacy Service
• My geographical area of practice is National