When you or a loved one experiences a sudden trip to the hospital, it is hard to know where to turn. Anyone who has experienced:

• A fall
• An accident
• An unplanned illness
• The death of a spouse (loved one)

will find themselves faced with making decisions and care choices in a stressed state. We will address some of the signs that may appear before the crisis happens along with outlining some resources to help as you move through the healthcare maze.

Signs To Look For Before The Crisis Happens:

Often you may notice that your loved one begins showing one of the below signs right before a health crisis.

• Depression
• Fatigue
• Isolation
• Lack of hydration/nutrition

Keying in to changes in your loved one’s daily routine, sleep patterns, diet and mental status, and mentioning these changes with their primary care physician, may help avoid a trip to the emergency room.  

Are You In The Eye Of The Storm?

Seeing a dramatic change in your loved one can be scary. The more dramatic the signs appear, the harder it is to address what’s wrong and get help. Depending on the crisis, you may end up in your local hospital’s emergency room. If that should occur, there is some information you should have prepared to bring with you:

• Proof of Identification, i.e. driver’s license or passport
• Insurance ID cards
• Healthcare proxy document
• Power of Attorney document

During Your Hospital Stay:

If you or your loved one is hospitalized, there are some questions to keep in mind.

• Will you need additional services upon discharge?
• Are you able to go home or do you need to go to a rehabilitation center?
• What care is covered by your insurance?
• Medicare – Traditional or a Managed Plan
• Medicaid
• Private Insurance

The hospital social worker and/or case manager should help answer some of these questions and provide a list of companies that provide post-hospital care so you can choose the provider you want and can best meet your post-hospital needs.

Helping Find Resources:

There are many resources available when you are experiencing a health crisis. The hospital will provide information, but here are some additional resources to explore:

• County Offices on Aging. Many NJ counties have an Office on Aging that offer a list of that specific county’s resources.
• 211 Senior Help line
• NJ State Department of Aging
• Local Senior Centers
• Social Workers at rehabilitation facilities
• Division of Veteran Affairs. This is a resource for anyone who is a veteran or spouse of a veteran.

Many families find themselves facing a lot of unexpected decisions when they or a loved one is hospitalized. It is important to know your resources, advocate for your loved one and ask for help. The team at Archer Law Office has the perfect combination of staff and experience to handle any crisis situation and provide your family with the stability and guidance you need.