What exactly is a question? A question is an expression that is used to request information. When we have concerns about our health and wellness, sometimes the questions to ask come easily to us and sometimes we may not be sure where to start.  Even those who feel comfortable asking questions to friends and colleagues may feel intimated to ask their doctors questions.   Some of our clients have shared that they don’t want to seem like they are “questioning” the expertise of their physicians or are concerned that the answers won’t be in in language that they can understand.  Regardless, it is important to ask questions, even if it is simply to confirm that everyone understands the current status and the plan going forward.

According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, “Asking questions about your diagnosis, treatments, and medicines can improve the quality, safety, and effectiveness of your healthcare. A simple question can help you feel better, let you take better care of yourself, or save your life.”

Five questions that can be a helpful starting point:

1. What is my diagnosis?
2. What are my options for treatment?
3. Will there be tests? What are they and are there preparations that I need to do? When and how will the results be shared with me?
4. If medication is being prescribed, what is it, what are the potential side effects, and are there special instructions? How long do you estimate I will need to be on the medication/s?
5. How might my diagnosis and treatments affect my life/family/job/hobbies?

One way that our clients feel empowered is to talk through the questions in advance of a visit with their doctor. Many find it helpful to write the questions down so that they do not have to try to remember them while listening to what is being discussed.   It is also beneficial to have a family member, friend, and/or nurse care coordinator at the appointments with you as additional support to help with remembering questions to ask and information shared from the doctors and their team members.

At 2×2 Health, we inspire confidence, navigate complexity, and provide expert care in a genuinely compassionate manner. Our specialization includes partnering with various medical providers and specialists, and clients of all ages. We excel at facilitating smooth transitions of care and enhancing communication with healthcare providers and family members. We’ll be there to help navigate the increasingly complex healthcare system—as an extra set up eyes and ears to improve communication, help with the understanding of treatment options, prepare and answer questions, and are always available when needed. When we are there for you and your family members, you can support them in ways that you feel best equipped: to hold their hand, be a comforting shoulder for them to lean on, or to simply listen and reassure them because we do a great deal of the heavy lifting when it comes to healthcare interpretation and navigation. We help with formulating questions, getting answers to your questions, and providing an environment of knowledge and support. We are here for you, and we are in your corner.

Healthcare with you. Healthcare for you.

Wendy Benson, MBA, OTR/L

Reference: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

It can be challenging when we are concerned about the health and well-being of ourselves or our family members. It is natural to feel overwhelmed, or at least a little off-balance, when we are juggling an illness or other healthcare concern on top of our day-to-day life activities and responsibilities. It can be even more daunting when we feel like we just landed in a different galaxy with medical terminology for conditions, body parts, and diagnostic tests, that are not easy to understand.

Most of us did not go to medical school and we certainly cannot be expected to understand intimidating, unfamiliar medical jargon. According to The Washington Post, Marvin M. Lipman, Consumer Reports’ chief medical adviser, “Doctors’ use of medical terminology can leave patients poorly informed.” When we are already nervous about a healthcare condition, not completely understanding the words our care providers are using can leave us feeling even more anxious and unsure about our current situation. If we don’t even understand that, how are we able identify the best questions to ask, and then prepare for the next steps?

Our clients share with us that this is one of the primary reasons they find support and comfort with having a clinical team member from 2×2 Health with them at their doctors’ appointments. Everyone has a different level of understanding when it comes to medical terminology, although no matter the level, it is reassuring to have a nurse by your side. We collaborate with you and your medical team to ensure that everyone is informed and understands what is said. Our clients often tell us that before they partnered with us, they didn’t know what to do…. or what to do next.

The 2×2 Health team helps individuals and their families with:

• Helping to prepare questions in advance of appointments
• Describing and explaining the various diagnostic tests, conditions, medications, side effects, etc.
• Clarifying the information that is being said in layman’s terms to be sure that everyone understands
• Coordinating a summary after each visit for individuals and family members
• Identifying and communicating options and next steps

We have been told that it is OK to ask questions, but when you have a clinical resource by your side, it can be easier, reassuring, and empowering. With 2×2 Health, we are right there with you, as an extra set of eyes and ears, each step of the way. When you make informed personalized healthcare decisions, it can significantly reduce your level of stress and give you real peace of mind. Healthcare with you. Healthcare for you.

Wendy Benson, MBA, OTR/L

 

References: Institute of Medicine, American Nurses Association, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, The Washington Post, Consumer Reports.org/health

Many of us may be familiar with the term “sandwich generation” and know the potential challenges associated with this.  It is natural to feel concerned.  Dorothy A. Miller, MSSW, the author of the article, the ‘sandwich generation: adult children of the aging’ stated, “Adult children of the elderly, who are ‘sandwiched’ between their aging parents and their own maturing children, are subjected to a great deal of stress.”  With the desire and need to care for multiple responsibilities at the same time, it can be comforting to know that you do not have to do this alone.

The sandwich generation includes adults who are actively responsible for an aging parent in addition to raising their own children.   The number of individuals who fall into this category is increasing along with the common feelings of increased responsibility and pressure.   According to the Pew Research Center, just over 1 of every 8 Americans aged 40 to 60 is both raising a child and caring for a parent, in addition to between 7 to 10 million adults caring for their aging parents from a long distance.  Even if we live next door to our elderly parent, the challenges with assisting and supporting older parents’ needs as well as the needs of our children can be daunting.   Every day logistics of work, transportation, financial and household responsibilities, as well as education costs and preparation can be a lot to manage and juggle.  When we or a loved one has a health concern that is added to the equation, it is natural to feel concerned and overwhelmed.

According to Beth Myers, Registered Nurse and Chief Executive and Founder of 2×2 Health, “We hear from a number of our clients that a healthcare issue with a parent, child, or ourselves, is a significant, frightening experience that can tip the scales in an already challenging balancing act.”    She continued, “It can be reassuring to reach out to others for assistance, even if it is simply to accept offers from friends and neighbors to assist with the car pool or grocery store runs.”  She has also witnessed success with clients reaching out to experts for assistance with everything from financial planning to counseling services.   Another way to support yourself and your family, is to partner with an organization like 2×2 Health for Care Coordination.   According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, “Care Coordination involves deliberately organizing patient care activities and sharing information among all of the participants concerned with a patient’s care to achieve safer and more effective care.”  2×2 Health can assist by accompanying your loved one to a doctor visit, by helping prepare questions and a follow-up plan, by accessing a specialist and coordinating medical records, and by providing reassurance.  You won’t need to continually ask yourself, “Is there anything additional that I can do about this?”

At times, an extra set of eyes and ears can help reset the balance in our lives.  At 2×2 Health, we inspire confidence, navigate complexity, and provide expert care in a genuinely compassionate manner.  We are there to help navigate the increasingly complex healthcare system.  Whether your loved one lives across the country, across the street, or lives under the same roof, it can be reassuring to have a clinical resource who listens to your needs, provides support and guidance, and partners with you and your medical team to provide you real peace of mind.

Healthcare with you.  Healthcare for you.

Wendy Benson, MBA, OTR/L

References: Dorothy A. Miller, MSSW, Pew Research Center, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

There are few things more important to us than the health and well-being of our loved ones.  Even so, there are times when we do not feel equipped to truly handle the emotional and logistical issues that can arise when dealing with potential healthcare concerns.  It is completely natural to ask ourselves:

Am I doing everything I can for the health and well-being for my loved one and myself?

What if I can’t get an appointment that fits with my schedule?

What if I can’t understand the terminology that is being used?

Am I getting the right procedure? Bloodwork? Diagnostic test?

Who can help me with all of this information?

When faced with a healthcare issue or when trying to avoid one, you will find the 2×2 Health team a genuine, compassionate and knowledgeable partner.  We inspire confidence, navigate complexity, and are truly there for you.   

According to McNaughton & Thistle (2015), active listening is a skill used to gather information and start the collaboration process.   By really listening to you and your loved ones, our highly-qualified team members at 2×2 Health learn more about your current situation.  We also ask questions to understand your short and long-term goals.  It is common to sometimes not even know where to start.  In these instances, we help you identify questions and concerns so that we can work together in a supportive manner.  At 2×2 Health, we are true collaborators who partner with you and your medical team, or can help you find the appropriate specialists, so that we can support you throughout your journey.  We have significant experience in various healthcare conditions with individuals of all ages.   We can help to review and summarize your medical records, schedule and accompany you or your loved one to a doctor appointment, facilitate a care conference, and explore additional treatment options.  We ensure that everyone is on the same page so that all parties involved clearly understand the plan and are reassured.   When you partner with 2×2 Health, you will be supported by compassionate experts who possess invaluable knowledge, experience, and collaborative relationships.   

You do not have to go through this alone; we are here for you.  Healthcare with you.  Healthcare for you. 

The two words “Care” and “Coordination” are positive and upbeat words—but what do they mean when we use them together?

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Most of us will be there at some point. There are times when either a family member, a close friend, or we, ourselves are faced with complex medical concerns.

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