Business Resources
Elder Care Issues Do Impact Business!
By Dianne Savastano, M.B.A., M.S. Nursing
Have you made a decision to cut back your hours, or to avoid projects that require additional travel, thus eliminating your consideration for a promotion? Have you decided not to grow your business, primarily because you have taken on a second job out of necessity and love – that of managing your parents’ healthcare? Do you have employees taking time off or limiting their hours for the same reason? You may remember making similar decisions while raising your children but thought you were past all that. Well, here you are, doing it again.
You are not alone. According to a recent study by the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 1 in 4 women are managing the healthcare of an older parent or relative. From a business standpoint, the cost in lost work time and productivity to employers on a national scale is a staggering $33.6 billion annually.[1]
In my 25-year career in healthcare, most recently as an entrepreneur and business owner helping individuals and families navigate the complexities of the healthcare system, I know firsthand how these issues can affect the health of your parents and your business. However, if you take steps now, you may be able to prevent the downward spiral that can follow a major crisis, for example, when a parent falls and breaks a hip.
1. Ask the right questions
Start a conversation with your parents, stating that you would like to know more about their healthcare. Mention that it would be helpful to discuss their preferences for care, just in case a situation arises when they cannot make decisions for themselves. Because health issues can be complex, they may unintentionally omit some important details. Ask the following questions to improve your chances of getting the whole story.
“What are your medical issues?”
“What medications are you taking? Who prescribes them? What condition is each medicine for?”
“Who are your doctors?”
“Who is your dentist? Have you been for a visit lately?”
“When was the last time you had your glasses checked?”
“Have you had a colonoscopy lately?”
Questions like these may help you discover, for example, that your mom is seeing a surgeon for follow-up after a questionable mammogram, or that your dad is being treated by a cardiologist to manage high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol levels.
2. Foster a relationship with your parent’s doctor
Establishing a relationship with your parent’s primary care physician (PCP) is one of the best ways to stay informed about your mom or dad’s healthcare. It may also help you get timely answers in an emergency. Ask if you can attend the next appointment so that you can introduce yourself. If you live at a distance, plan your next visit so that it coincides with a scheduled physician visit.
If this is not possible, ask if you can call the PCP to introduce yourself. When you do call, offer to pay the physician for his or her time. Since physicians have such a limited time with patients, they appreciate knowing that there are motivated children and support systems in place that they, too, can rely on if anything happens.
3. Obtain permission to speak to healthcare providers
Although Federal HIPAA regulations (designed to protect patient medical information and privacy) were put in place to benefit us all, they can pose an administrative barrier when you attempt to communicate with healthcare providers, especially during a crisis. To overcome this barrier, have your parents prepare and sign a letter that allows you access to their medical information and grants their physicians permission to speak to you about their healthcare. Have copies of this letter placed in your parent’s medical record with primary care and specialist physicians.
When you live far away and must communicate by phone, inform both the receptionist and the physician that you have permission to speak on your parent's behalf and offer to fax the document that supports this statement.
4. Help your parents plan for medical appointments
Once you are aware of your parents’ scheduled physician appointments, spend a few minutes discussing what agenda items they plan to discuss with their doctors. If something anxiety-provoking will be discussed during an appointment, such as a new diagnosis, and you are not able to accompany them, ask your parents to request that the physician allow you to participate by phone or arrange a time for a follow-up call. Remember, physicians appreciate involved family members so they will often follow-up. It never hurts to ask.
Being proactive helps you stay in control
A major benefit to being proactive is that you will be more alert to subtle changes in your parents and their health. Sometimes, a change in mental status, or short-term memory, is the first manifestation of an underlying medical condition such as an infection. You may be the first to notice. You can communicate your observations to your parents’ physicians and may help to prevent a crisis. Once you take the crucial steps outlined above, you’ll have an easier time managing the delicate balance between career and caregiving.
Dianne Savastano, M.B.A., B.S., Nursing, founded Healthassist to help individuals and families navigate the complexities of healthcare. Learn more at www.healthassistcorp.com
[1] The MetLife Caregiving Cost Study: Productivity Losses to
