Patient Navigator

Patient Navigator Mediates Complicated Family Situations

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Debbie’s sister in another state was in trouble.

Debbie contacted Patient Navigator when her desperately ill sister in another state would not participate in planning her own care.  Debbie traveled frequently and could not be on site with her sister.  Patient Navigator stepped in to negotiate a discharge plan with the rehabilitation center.  But most importantly, we helped Debbie to see her own role as her sister’s caregiver in a new light.  Debbie stopped feeling guilty and understood that her sister, ultimately, had to take steps and make decisions – or not -  about her care.  This gave Debbie a new peace of mind.

Sandi needed urgent help for her distant grandmother.

Sandi’s grandmother, who still lived alone in another state, was found wandering in her hometown and taken to the hospital. Sandi was called to come and take her grandmother home with her. However, her grandmother had advanced Alzheimer’s and Sandi quickly realized she could not provide the intense care and attention that was needed. Moreover, since her grandmother had always been a fiercely private person, Sandi had no information on Grandma’s health, insurance or financial records. The grandmother was furious and uncooperative about being taken away from her home. The family was distraught and confused about what to do next.

Patient Navigator spent hours with the family to sort through and organize boxes of papers to determine which records were relevant. Once her insurance coverage and care requirements were determined, Patient Navigator researched facilities in both Sandi’s state and her grandmother’s home state that could accept a high-need, Medicaid patient immediately. We explained to the family the process to transfer her Medicaid coverage from one state to another. Patient Navigator provided Sandi and her family with help, information and guidance during an exceedingly difficult and stressful time. The family was able to make difficult decisions with more confidence and knowledge.“They guided us every step of the way through the very difficult process of what to do about care for my grandmother. They have a wealth of knowledge and expertise and provided it in a loving, caring way.”

Paula was dying, and her angry family members were not speaking to each other.

Her caretaker uncle asked Patient Navigator to serve as liaison.  Patient Navigator helped mediate the hospital’s conference with the family about removing life support. After Paula passed away, the navigator assisted with funeral arrangements and subsequent administrative matters.

Christine’s rare and debilitating illness forced her to return home to her parents.

Her husband’s work kept him in a different state. Even as her parents tried to help her, Christine struggled to regain her independence. When Christine’s sister found Patient Navigator, the family was desperate for help. We facilitated several family meetings to help relieve tension, assign tasks, and develop and implement action plans to care for Christine. It helped both Christine and her parents to have Patient Navigator involved. As Christine came to trust and rely on her Navigator, care decisions were made more quickly and the situation improved enough for Christine to return to her husband.

Phyllis was trying to deal with her father’s illness and death.

The demands of distant relatives who had not been involved with his care were very stressful to her.   Patient Navigator helped mediate funeral arrangements among family members and served as a buffer during the funeral. This gave Phyllis the peace of mind that she was not alone in coping with one of life’s most difficult situations.

Their mother died of cancer.

Teenagers Paul and Amy were forced to live with their father and new stepmother, whom they did not know well. Patient Navigator spoke to their school counselors and provided the family with a list of counseling resources and bereavement services for teenagers.