{"id":911,"date":"2018-05-15T09:57:55","date_gmt":"2018-05-15T09:57:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.flnavigator.com\/health\/?p=911"},"modified":"2020-10-03T01:35:56","modified_gmt":"2020-10-03T01:35:56","slug":"advocacy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/2018\/05\/the-savvy-senior\/advocacy\/","title":{"rendered":"Advocacy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Advocacy<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">The Savvy Senior<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">By Robert Goodman, MSW<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"color: #333333;\"><span style=\"font-family: Arial, serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"color: #00000a;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> The word advocacy has been in the news a lot lately. You have the #MeToo movement, the Parkland students fighting for tighter gun controls and people fighting for legislation that impacts their lives.<b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><span style=\"color: #00000a;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Some people find that advocacy helps when they feel they are not being heard, or are not getting what they need. They would like some support. Anyone may need advocacy at some time in his or her life, but it becomes especially relevant where:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">People are being treated unfairly as a result of other people\u2019s prejudices, or their own vulnerability, or both. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">People feel they have no family, friends or anyone in the wider community to whom they can turn for support. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">People may have professional paid workers involved in their lives who are not providing services which take into account their needs.. <\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> Think back to one experience where you either had witnessed or participated in where a social justice issue was effectively addressed by working on influencing public policy. How effective were your efforts?<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> There are two types of advocacy<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">, s<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">elf-advocacy and cause advocacy. S<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i><b>elf-advocacy<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> is speaking for, representing the interests of, or defending the rights of oneself. C<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><i><b>ause or Public advocacy<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> is speaking for, representing the interests of, or defending the rights of a particular group of people, or the general public. This includes legislative advocacy or advocating for a change in a policy or program.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> Being a good advocate also includes letting your elected officials know of your concerns. Write and visit with your elected officials. Greet them when they come to Century Village. If you have an issue of concern prepare a statement describing the issue, how it impacts on your life, and what you would like your elected official to do about it. When the Florida legislature meets, they will be considering many laws that impact your life as a condo owner, renter, or senior. Your elected officials need to know how what they do in Tallahassee or Washington impacts your life.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> As we enter the campaign season, here is a great opportunity to get involved and influence policies that will affect your future. Issues like Social Security, health care and Medicare are important federal issues that the U.S. Senate candidates will be addressing. State issues include Medicaid, health care, senior services and condominium legislation. <\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> Here are a few pointers to help you be an effective self-advocate and better navigate the health care and social service systems.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> You must be able to make your needs known and stand up for your rights as a patient in the hospital, a doctor\u2019s office, or trying to procure services,<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> Before you go to the doctor\u2019s office or call an agency, have a list of questions to ask and make sure you understand the answers you are given. Keep a list on the refrigerator of your medications and special needs in case of an emergency or pending hospitalization. <\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> When speaking to a doctor you want to be sure you understand your diagnosis and what impact it will have on your life and family. You want to be aware of what medications he\/she is prescribing and what effect they will have, how they interact with your other medications, vitamins, and supplements, and any of its side effects. Also, ask about any community resources that may relate to your diagnosis. An example would be someone who is diagnosed with macular degeneration may need information on the Lighthouse for the Blind or low vision aids.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> If you end up in the emergency room you should be able to clearly describe your situation at home. Are you living alone? Is there anyone at home who is capable of assisting you when you are discharged from the hospital? What medical equipment do you have at home, such as grab bars, a hospital bed, a walker, or a shower chair? <\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"> When calling an agency, be prepared with a list of questions. You should include information on what you or the person you are calling for needs and who, if anyone is available to meet those needs. <\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Here are ten steps to help you become an effective self-advocate:<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">1. Believe in yourself.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">2. Realize you have rights.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">3. Discuss your concerns with your service provider.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">4. Get the facts in writing.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">5. Use the chain of command to solve a problem-ask to speak to a supervisor if an issue isn\u2019t resolved to your satisfaction.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">6. Know your appeal rights if services are denied.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">7. Be assertive and persistent, <\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>not aggressive.<\/b><\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">8. Outline your concerns and be a good listener.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">9. Ask for help from other agencies.<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">10. Follow-up. Be sure you\u2019re getting the service that meets your<\/span><\/span><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">needs&#8230;<\/span><\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\"><b>and say thank you.<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p align=\"CENTER\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: large;\">###<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advocacy The Savvy Senior By Robert Goodman, MSW The word advocacy has been in the news a lot lately. You have the #MeToo movement, the Parkland students fighting for tighter gun controls and people fighting for legislation that impacts their lives. Some people find that advocacy helps when they feel they are not being heard, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[49,54,169,187],"class_list":["post-911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-savvy-senior","tag-advocacy","tag-anger","tag-self-control","tag-violence"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=911"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/911\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1870,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/911\/revisions\/1870"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/flnavigator.com\/healthfairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}