Your Parent Is Suddenly Sick And In the Hospital: What Can You Do to Provide Additional Protection?

The unfortunate reality of aging is that the caretaker eventually becomes the recipient. As an adult child with senior parents, this can be difficult to accept. This is never more evident than when your parent winds up in the hospital, where quality care can prove alarmingly lacking.

Advocate For Your Parent’s Best Interests

As the adult child of an ill or injured senior, you can make the greatest difference by simply showing up. Of course, given the frantic pace of everyday life, this is easier said than done. If you have siblings or a spouse willing to help out, consider dividing appointments between multiple people so that your parent can always rely on a trusted individual for advocacy.

Be sure to clarify what, exactly, your parent expects from health care providers. Pain, discomfort, or anxiety can prevent even the most outspoken seniors from making their wishes known when dealing with difficult medical situations. If possible, outline such wishes early on via an advance health care directive or other legal documents.

Once you understand what, exactly, your parent expects from medical staff, speak up. Never make assumptions. If you observe your parent being neglected, make it known that you expect better.

Offer to Handle Documentation

Hospital visits require ample documentation. Your parent will greatly appreciate your efforts to manage necessary paperwork. Keep the following essentials on hand:

• Advance directives or powers of attorney, if available.
• A detailed and up-to-date list of all medications your parent takes, including both prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs.
• Insurance cards and any other applicable documents related to health care coverage.

If medical negligence has caused a loved one to suffer, it’s important to speak up. A medical malpractice lawsuit may be your best option for holding negligent health care professionals accountable. Regan Zambri Long PLLC can help — reach out today to learn how.