The Role of a Nurse Navigator in the Life of a Senior
Aging is inevitable and as people grow older they undergo changes that may affect their health, memory and body. This may come as a shock to people suffering from conditions brought about by old age or serious medical conditions. Family members can get affected too and the only way to surpass this feeling is by asking help from a nurse navigator.
The role of this medical professional is to educate patients and their family members. Nurse navigators can help them understand their disease such as cancer and conditions that are age-related. It is hard to accept that you are sick or your loved ones are suffering from life-threatening disease but these navigators make sure that you can find acceptance easily and go through the process of getting medical attention or long term care.
They may not be the ones performing medical treatments but they are experts in educating concerned people regarding their conditions and convincing them to get help from professionals. Say for example your loved ones are showing signs of memory loss and they can no longer do their daily activities on their own, these means they need some kind of help. But what kind?
It’s hard to decide what kind of long term care you’ll get for your loved one since you have limited knowledge and you’re not the right person to assess their needs. In order to make the right decision you might want to consult a nurse navigator first. They can provide you with resources for your aging loved one and give them as many options they want like a comprehensive list of home care agencies, assisted living facilities, nursing homes and other senior care facilities.
They are the right people who can assess what type of care your loved one will need right now and in the future. In addition to these, they can also get more involved in long term care planning by looking for facilities that can perfectly fit their budget or offer discounts. They are the right people you should ask for help if you’re at a loss in determining your loved one’s needs.
Their role can go as far as providing emotional support to both the patient and their family members. They are even encouraged to become good listeners and to have excellent communication skills. It is important that they show sympathy and lighten their feelings through kind words and assurance that with proper care and assistance, their loved one will find it more comfortable and easy to carry out their daily tasks and other things they want.
The role of these navigators is very significant in every senior’s life. They can help you in every step of the way, point you to the right direction and help you make the right decisions. In times like this, emotional support is also needed and the best person who can give this to you is a nurse navigator. Don’t hesitate to ask help from one if you want to give the best and proper long term care to your aging relative.
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