Rhonda Shrum - Patient Advocate

Approximately 85% of older adults have at least one chronic health conditions, and 60% have at least two chronic conditions, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to a recent article, about 40%, or one out of every four older adults indicate that they have misheard healthcare providers when they are at a doctor's office or in the hospital.

Many medical errors could be avoided if older adults understood clearly the medical instructions given by their physician. These "errors" could be the result of not being able to hear the instructions, not being able to understand the instructions because there are so many details. Or perhaps, the doctor/medical personnel are not communicating things clearly enough.

Each of these situations could be avoided if a patient advocate were present to take notes, ask questions, receive clarifications with any confusing details and then helping the senior to organize and understand how to implement them.

An advocate can help encourage and organize the exercise prescribed for an elderly person. They can help the senior to understand how to take their medications correctly, so it can serve the benefit for which it was prescribed. They can also help explain and go over the instructions from the doctor's visit or hospital stay so that the senior has a clear understanding of the care plan to help them continue to "feel" young.

70% of seniors are living in their own homes. 20% of seniors are "renting" some form of housing. Only 10% are living elsewhere, including long-term facilities.

With the ever increasing population of seniors, and the majority of them living in their own homes, we can see the overwhelming need for good patient advocacy.

Patient advocacy can not only help the seniors with their quality of life, but also help the family to know that their loved one has someone "in their corner" to help when they need a little extra clarification in order to help them "feel" younger by maintaining their independent living.

Oregon's population was 3,831,074 in April, 2010.
In 2020, it was 4,268,055.
In 2040, it is projected to be 5.4 million.

In 1980, Oregon's 85+ year old demographic was a little over 26,000.
In 2020, it was over 90,000.

In 1980, Oregon's 75-84 year old demographic was 98,000.
In 2020, it was over 450,000.

In 1980, Oregon's 65-74 year old demographic was over 195,000.
In 2020, it was over 450,000.

As you can see, our older community is becoming larger and larger every year.

A good advocate will know what actions to take in the present, but a great advocate will be able to anticipate the senior's future needs as well. This could be a simple as making out an Advanced Directive, or as complex as recommending an attorney for estate planning.

Patient advocacy is a great need in our community. Sometimes it can mean the difference of them living a full and independent life in their own home because they understand how to take their medications and what the doctor has ordered for their continued health and well being.

What can a patient advocate do for your senior?
Simply put, a patient advocate can do for your senior what they have trouble doing for themselves. Advocates know the ins-and-outs of bureaucratic systems that can be overwhelmingly complex - and that make your loved one want to tear out their hair. They can take away the stress and worry you've been dealing with. They can also give back hours in your day that you may be losing in fruitless attempts to deal with billers, insurances, and similar networks.

Here's a list of common tasks patient advocates take on for their clients:
*Identify or anticipate the senior's unmet medical, financial, or legal needs and make recommendations for how to meet them, or how to advocate for them to be met.
*Scrutinize health care options with the patient, family, and healthcare team as the patient requires.
*Explain the senior's options in an easy-to-understand, jargon-free manner. Help to create an "individualized" way to carry out the care plan and coordinate necessary appointments, services, and resources to implement it.
*With the patient's permission, talk to insurance companies, billers, or government agencies on their behalf.
*Handle routine or complex paperwork in order to ensure service delivery.
*Assist seniors and families in applying to government programs such as Medicare and/or Medicaid.
*Recommend options to the senior and the family that may help with legal and medical decision making issues, such as Durable Power of Attorney, Power of Attorney, etc.
*Instruct the patient and family, if desired, in how to communicate more effectively with health care professionals, insurance companies, government offices, and/or other service providers.

Recommendation for Rhonda Shrum

February 1, 2023

It is with great honor that I write this letter of recommendation for Rhonda Shrum.
Rhonda cared for my elderly Mom from 2018-2021, until her passing. She brought much joy, friendship, energy and love into Mom’s world, which was steadily shrinking due to her various physical and mental challenges. Rhonda enters a room like a beacon of light, and the world is just a better place when she shows up. Her positive energy and verve are infectious— you can’t help but feel better when Rhonda is there.
Mom felt safe and happy when Rhonda was around, and she WAS. For that, I am eternally grateful.

Rhonda performed a myriad of functions for Mom daily. These included managing her many medications, monitoring her blood pressure and oxygen levels, coordinating Home Health services, providing transportation to medical and personal appointments, helping with personal care, taking her shopping for groceries and personal items, cooking meals, washing laundry and housekeeping tasks. In addition to all the above, Rhonda still found time to do “fun” things with Mom too. Neighborhood walks (complete with Mom’s cat and cat stroller) and outings to Starbucks for a Caramel Frappuccino were frequent sojourns. Mom loved the social interaction and deep friendship she had with Rhonda. It kept her engaged in life, which became increasingly difficult with her loss of hearing and sight.
Rhonda continued to find ways to bridge the gap between Mom’s limitations and finding enjoyment in life. One way she did this was to place Mom (after her shower), in a chair close to the warmth of her gas fireplace and crank up the Big Band music— her favorite. It brought her extreme joy, and reminded her of the “good old days.”

Time to point out Rhonda’s incredible attributes at this point in my letter. I know she
would prefer I didn’t, as humility is one of her greatest characteristics, but I just can’t help myself. Rhonda is one of the most kind-hearted, positive and encouraging people I’ve ever met. She is skilled in many areas, and is always ready to lend a helping hand. Her integrity and reliability are unmatched by most. Rhonda is incredibly organized and detail oriented. If there’s a task before her, you know it will be done thoroughly, completely and with the utmost efficiency. There might be a better way to achieve something, and Rhonda is comfortable in presenting options that may be of benefit. We adopted many of her ideas over the course of Mom’s care.
And the best part of all? Rhonda seems to handle it all effortlessly; filled with heart and sporting a gigantic smile on her face. To sum her up in two words: joy and love.

I would highly and wholeheartedly recommend Rhonda Shrum to anyone who is looking for an advocate and consummate professional in the realm of patient care or issues relating to seniors. She will guide you skillfully through the process, and help you or your loved one find the perfect balance of quality care, available resources and quality of life. Rhonda is made for this work. You need her in your corner.

With sincerity and gratitude for Rhonda’s help,

Barb Cooley

What exactly is a professional patient advocate?

They are often individuals that help seniors with a variety of issues, including those related to medical, financial, and insurance problems. They may work out of an office, but will usually make home or facility visits. They may be part of a larger agency or can work independently. The best ones are kind, knowledgeable, and result-driven when it comes to getting your senior's needs met. They are working on behalf of the senior to help them understand what the doctor and care team are communicating to them about their medical needs.

A patient advocate is never trying to diagnose or persuade the senior, they are only trying to help them understand the choices available to them and then try to help them implement those according to the doctor/care team's instructions. When everyone is working together and on the same page, it can allow the senior to have a better quality and longevity of life on their own terms.