Self-Advocacy in Healthcare

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Overview

When you or a loved one sees signs of cognitive impairment, fear and worry can feel overwhelming. At the CARE Center, we believe knowledge is power, and self-advocacy is your best tool for gaining that knowledge.

What is Self-Advocacy?

Self-advocacy is representing yourself, your needs, and your concerns with your healthcare provider. It means letting your voice be heard and being an active part of your healthcare visit.

Practicing Self-Advocacy

To be a better self-advocate or advocate for a loved one, start by thinking about and writing down your questions.

Those questions can include: information about your condition, your treatment or medication, follow up appointments and next steps.

Next, it is important to have your doctor or nurse share key information with you like: medication side effects, what you do not understand about your condition, what you like or dislike about your treatment and if there are any other doctors you need to see for this.

When you practice self advocacy it can help in many ways. Your healthcare providers can learn more about you, you can receive better healthcare and lastly, practicing self-advocacy can inspire those around you to do the same.

Tips for Self-Advocacy

Get clear on the “Whats” and “Whys” of your appointments.
• Consider what doctors you see and why you see them. Knowing these answers can help you feel more empowered.
Bring questions with you.
• Helps you remain present in the moment.
• Prompts your provider to pay close attention.
If you can, bring social support.
• Social support can help keep track of questions and write down answers.
• This can take pressure off of you and make it easier to stay present.
Repeat what you hear.
• Use your own words to repeat back what your healthcare provider says.
• Helps with understanding and improves communication between you and your doctors.
Ask for more information such as:
• Test results, learning materials or instructions from your doctor.
•Helps you get involved and feel empowered.
Bring key information such as:
• Health insurance, medication lists, provider lists, past medical records.
• Helps your provider stay informed and avoid over-prescribing or repeating tests.

Self-Advocacy in Healthcare