By Charles B. Inlander

From dealing with insurance companies to contending with a crabby loved one, taking care of someone is a balancing act that requires a great deal of patience and skill. And, most importantly, it requires that you, the caregiver, become savvy. You need to know what to do and where to turn when you confront a problem or start to feel burned out.

This column, and all those that will follow, is designed to help you become a savvy caregiver. It will help guide you through the maze of programs and services that are designed to assist you. It will give you tips on how to speak and work with your loved one’s doctors and other health care professionals. It will teach you to navigate the complex health and long term care insurance systems. You’ll also learn how to avoid getting ripped off by less-than-scrupulous hucksters who often prey on elderly or disabled people or who overcharge for products and services that might be had at half the price.

And in this column, you’ll also gain tips for taking care of yourself, something that many caregivers overlook in their dedication to caring for a loved one.

Getting Savvy

So let’s start at the beginning! How do you become a savvy caregiver?

Being savvy simply means that you know where to turn when you or the person you are caring for needs help. It’s about finding available services in your community to help ease some of the issues confronted by you and your loved one. The good news is you do not need a class to do a great job. You simply need an open mind and the moxie to get the information and help that can make the job more effective.

So here’s tip Number 1 to becoming a savvy caregiver – Don’t Be Intimidated!

If you do not understand what a doctor is saying, ask him or her to explain it to you in simpler language. If a homecare professional seems to be in too much of a hurry, ask him or her to slow down, or ask if there is anything you could do to help him or her. If you are consistently being put on hold by an insurance carrier, call back and ask to speak to a senior supervisor in that division or office.

Remember, you and the person you are caring for are the customers. Be persistent and demand high quality service. Write down the names of the people you deal with. Keep a log of the times you speak to them.

And here’s the bottom line. Studies show that patients, or their caregivers, who ask questions and are persistent in demanding quality care often get better service, which may lead to better outcomes.

That’s being savvy!