Caring partners dealing with AD undoubtedly will find time when health care providers are at odds with their needs. Dr Smith is a disability specialist {is AD considered a disability?} has addressed getting help when we are facing a health care provider or insurance company in the New York Times

David Wayne Smith, a disability specialist offers great advice on http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10...&partner=rss&emc=rss

"An effective advocate, Dr. Smith said, has to be “knowledgeable, committed and aggressive — forceful in a positive way and a good listener.”

He added that it was important to be cooperative, caring and firm, but not demanding, to foster cooperation and not antagonize the patient’s health care providers.

The advocate can be a family member or friend, or a professional patient advocate, who often has a background in medical social work. Some who work with older people are called geriatric care managers. Many patient advocates are volunteers whose compensation comes from satisfaction in helping someone recover.

It is better to avoid advocates who might have a conflict of interest that could compromise patient care. Thus, using an advocate employed by the hospital or insurance company may not always serve the patient’s best interests.

Some hospitals maintain a roster of patient advocate volunteers. The Patient Advocate Foundation, at 800-532-5274 and www.patientadvocate.org, can provide help by phone about problems with insurance, job retention or debt crises resulting from a chronic, life-threatening or debilitating illness."

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Anyone have a story regarding successful advocacy to share? Was yours an emergency situation? Did your care plan include the name of an advocate understanding AD?