Karyn M Rizzo
Aging in America may seem confusing to many elder patients and their caregivers. Trying to get straight, direct and honest answers can be difficult to come by. WHY? Simply put, it is because our healthcare system in America is a business and all businesses are trying to make a profit. Therefore, many of the medical professionals and entities we trust have a financial agenda. Numbers not patients, bring profits. So when you know that you are a number, you can better understand why you are being directed in a certain direction. I’ve seen older adults and their caregivers go through extreme anxiety due to the choices offered to them by their physicians, hospitals, and insurance companies. Many times these patients do not even know they have other alternatives than the options they are being given. Therefore, many people suffer physical and financial consequences that could have been avoided. Unfortunately, elderly people who have no one to protect them suffer even greater injustices. I could give countless examples that have broken my heart over the years, however, prefer to give information to protect others from harm. The INSIDER INFORMATION provided here is to help you avoid the financial agendas of providers that may unintentionally or intentionally cause harm to you or your loved one. If you know WHY you’re being directed in one direction over another, or understand why you’re not being given some choices at all, hopefully it can help to make better decisions for you or your loved one. Many times I hear the same question from patients and their caregivers: Why did one provider only give me certain options? Why did one provider make one recommendation and another one a completely different one? The Insider information given here can help provide accurate and relevant information on the ever changing healthcare options and programs available to patients. This handbook is intended to help elders and caregivers successfully navigate the complex maze of Aging in America.
