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It’s All About You!

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Say Ah! is declaring 2013 the Year of Your Care! Simple though it may sound, the idea that health care is all about you is a revolution – and one we want you to join!

Why is a health literacy nonprofit giving you license to put yourself first?  Because the health care system – all $2.5 trillion dollars of it – has been putting itself first for years now.  With that much money at stake, it is no wonder patients and consumers have to share top billing with things like, well, billing.

Patients and consumers are getting so lost in the system that innovators had to come up with something called “patient-centered care” to change our current almost totally not centered on the patient care.

We support this innovation, which stresses providers and patients working together to meet the total needs of a patient, and we take it one step further: Be the patient at the center.  Be the star of the show.  Be the captain of the ship.  Be the sun in your solar system.  Be the “You” in Your Care.

Say Ah!’s site is filled with tips to help you do this, but here are three that top the list. Follow them whenever you are using any kind of health care service.

1.     Know Yourself: One of the best ways of being successful in meeting your health goals is to know who you are and what you want. Everything from your belief system to what you like to how busy you are can influence how well you follow a treatment or health plan.  Work with your care provider to find options that fit with who you are and what you want.

2.     Put Yourself First!  It’s your health, and nobody else’s. Lots of people have a stake in our care – our doctors, families, and friends, just to name a few – but you are the one who has to live with your choices.  Make choices and decisions based on what you want and who you are.  Put yourself first, it’s best for everyone.

3.     Speak up for Yourself! The health care world is not exactly known for asking questions like “How are you?” or “Do you understand all the medical terms we use?” so don’t expect them to.  Instead, tell your care providers when you don’t understand something.  Tell them when you need something. Tell them when you want something – or don’t want something.  It will help them make a better diagnosis and treatment plan for you.

Say Ah!’s Emergency Preparedness Tips

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by Say Ah! Staff

When it comes to your health, you can never be too prepared. That lesson was driven home this fall at Say Ah! headquarters, which were closed for a week due to both flooding and power outages from Hurricane Sandy.

In addition to having no power, water, heat, cell service, internet, or transportation, we experienced a region-wide failure of our health care system. Hospitals and care facilities were evacuated, doctors’ offices were closed, and in some cases destroyed, pharmacies were subject to the blackout, and the suspension of the postal service meant no mail-order medications.

Despite being closed, we still received numerous personal calls, texts and emails asking us how best to navigate the new health care landscape – and prepare for the next emergency or disaster. We’ve put some of these tips down for you, as well some others that have come up in the aftermath of the storm. Please send us yours at info@say-ah.org.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst: 
Do as much preparation work in advance since you never know what sort of damage a storm may do.  In fact, don’t even wait for a bad weather forecast (or any emergency) to get organized about your health care. Do it now. It is one of the best things you can do for your health!

  • Keep Important Documents Safe and Easy to Find: Important documents include: a Medication List, a Personal Health History, a List of all Your Care Providers, and Your Insurance Card. Keep copies of these in a waterproof container in an easy to reach spot and email them to yourself so you can keep them online.  In addition, email and mail copies to those on your emergency contact list, which should always include one person outside the region
  • Keep Your Medications and Medical Devices Safe and in Good Supply: Put your medications in a waterproof container or plastic bag and make sure you have at least 10 days worth of everything you take, including all prescription and over-the-counter medicines, herbs, supplements, vitamins, and minerals. Make sure any medical devices you use, like an inhaler or glucose monitor, is safe and also in a waterproof container. If you need a back-up, now is the time to get one
  • Call your Doctor/Care Providers Ahead of Time to Make Emergency Plans: While your phone still works and it is easy to get through, make important calls before the storm so you know what to do in the event services or electricity are knocked out. This is especially important for any in-home care you receive, such as from a visiting nurse or hospice. Also, call your pharmacist or poison control if you need to know how to handle your medications in the emergency, especially medications, such as insulin, that have to be refrigerated
  • Find a Safe Place Away From the Storm: If you need to get to health care or it needs to come to you, go some place safe even if you are not being told to evacuate. If your health depends on continuous or non-stop care, go to a place where it won’t be disrupted
  • Get Medical Help if You Need It: Always seek medical help if you have a change your health (such as breathing difficulty, a cut that has been exposed to flood water)

Say Ah!’s School of Health Literacy

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Say Ah! is kicking off National Health Literacy Month with a quick class to help you make better choices about your health and health care. The key to doing well in our class is practice! Use these tips again and again to improve your health literacy, which studies show can help you improve your health.

Top 11 Lessons for Health Literacy

1. Tell each of your doctors ALL of the medications you are taking

2. Bring a list of questions and concerns with you to your doctor’s appointment

3. Make sure you understand any instructions before leaving your doctor or pharmacists, such as how to take your medications correctly, how to use a new medical device (like an inhaler), how much you are supposed to “rest” etc

4. Ask questions when your doctor says something you don’t fully (or even remotely) understand!

5. Tell the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Your doctor needs to know as much as possible about your health, so go out of your way to answer questions correctly.

6. Tell your doctor costs are a concern, and tell your doctor what your insurance plan is.

7. Speak up when you are confused, and say “What??? I don’t understand. Can you explain that is simpler words. Or draw a picture. Or something!”

8. Always, always take notes. Never ever rely on your memory alone.

9. Trust your gut. If something — a diagnosis, a treatment, anything — feels wrong, let your doctor know. If your doctor does not listen to you, follow Tip #10.

10. Be the customer. Find another doctor is you are not getting the care you need.

11. Look around this site to learn more. And have a great day!