About Getting the Best Care The Insider's Healthcare Podcast
In Getting the Best Care, The Insider's Healthcare Podcast, Margaret Fitzpatrick, MS, RN, CRNA, author of Getting the Best Care: Rescue Your Loved One from the Healthcare Conveyor Belt reveals all of her strategies to help you to get the best possible healthcare depending on where you are in your life. Margaret draws on her more than 20 years as a critical care nurse and nurse anesthetist to help you to see healthcare from an insider’s view. With that perspective, you are able to decide what is right for you and for your loved ones as you make healthcare choices. The best healthcare is the appropriate care that is driven by your goals and values. Asking “What is the Goal?” anytime a test, procedure or medication is suggested is vital to getting the best care. Learn what questions to ask to get the answers that you need. Discover the more than 20 healthcare procedures and tests that have been shown to be of little value to people over the age of 65. Learn how to reduce your stress, make better decisions and prevent suffering for yourself and your loved ones.
Are you stressed, upset, and distracted worrying about your aging parent? Do they insist on living alone but you are not sure if it is safe? What should you do? How do you do it? This episode of Getting the Best Care The Insider's Healthcare Podcast will get you started on the right track.
9 Jan 2020
Diabetes, There is a Better Way to manage it
As the 7th leading cause of death, diabetes can wreak havoc on the life of a diabetic and their family. The complications of high blood sugar affect every system in the body and can lead to high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, loss of eyesight, and devastating infections.
And yet, every day there seem to be new medications that diabetics can use to manage their blood sugar. How can this still be such a devastating illness even with all the research and advances in monitoring and in medicine? It is because diabetics continue to eat carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are practically poison to a diabetic.
Hear about a possible solution to maintaining a healthy blood sugar level that will not mean adding more medications!
4 Dec 2019
Someone Important Died Today
Sometimes it is hard to have conversations when someone is near the end of their life. Illness may make it impossible, and that is a shame. But if uncertainty or embarrassment is holding you back please take the chance to ask, "Is there something you need to say? Someone you want to talk to? Any burden you need to lay down?"
You will be glad you took the chance.
21 Nov 2019
Snoring May Be More Than Annoying
Snoring can indicate a serious problem that can put the noisy sleeper at risk for heart disease, diabetes, and complications after even minor surgery.
7 Nov 2019
The Flu and You
The flu isn't pleasant for anyone, but it can be devastating for people over the age of 65, especially if they have medical problems. Listen to why it is vitally important to protect ourselves and others from this dangerous virus.
14 Oct 2019
The Perils of Mis-Informed Consent
It is very important to know what you are agreeing to before you sign a consent form in the hospital. This episode gives examples of the process running off the rails for 2 patients.
14 Oct 2019
Being a Burden to Those You Love
We often hear people say, "I never want to be a burden to my family." And yet, many of these same people do not take the simple steps necessary to ensure that their loved ones will know what to do in a crisis. Listen to this short episode and learn how easy it is to get started. You can have your own healthcare power of attorney done in less than an hour-no lawyer needed!
25 Aug 2019
Great Resources for Legal, Medical and Caregiving Help
Each chapter of life brings with it new challenges. Anyone who has taken home a newborn from the hospital can remember wanting advice as to how to navigate the strange new world of parenthood. There are endless books, magazines, and websites offering the latest in “how to parent.”
But as we age, and health concerns add up as well as concerns about losing autonomy and independence and we may not know where to turn for help. Here are some of the best resources I have found for people who are aging, and for those of us who are family care givers.
Click Here for the blog post with the links.
8 Aug 2019
A Broken Hip and Unrelieved Pain, A Recipe for Disaster
More than 800 people every day in this country break their hip. Approximately 160 of them will die in the year following the fracture. There are important things to know if you or a loved one suffers a broken hip. Listen to the episodes for important tips on how to avoid the most devastating complications.
20 Jul 2019
Surgery 101: What You Need to Know
Let's face it, having surgery is never fun. But there are some things that you need to know to make the process easier for yourself or for a loved one who you are helping.
This episode covers issues like:
Why it is so important to NOT eat or drink the day of surgery.
What risks smokers face when having surgery.
When NOT to sign the consent papers.
What time of day you should have surgery.
How to get your post-op prescriptions.
What to do if you are prescribed ibuprofen.
8 Jul 2019
How Palliative Care can be a Lifesaver
Family caregivers and others frequently have misconceptions about Palliative care and how it can help a loved one. Tune in to learn how this important resource can be vital to getting the best care for someone you care for.
Also in Episode 8: Shingles, what it is and how to prevent this painful illness from striking you or someone you love. The vaccine is usually covered by insurance and you can get it at Walgreens and many pharmacies without an appointment.
Resources discussed include: AARP.org, GetPalliativeCare.org, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov/shingles/index.html
27 Jun 2019
Going to the Doctor? Listen to this First!
Having the right questions to ask in order to get the answers you need is important for your healthcare and especially if you are helping an aging loved one with healthcare decisions. Whether you are a family caregiver looking for advice on how you can be a better advocate for your loved one, or if you are going to the doctor for your own appointment this episode will help you to organize your thoughts and get the most of the doctor's visit.
Are you confident about how to start a discussion about: -Your healthcare goals -Advance Directives -What screening tests are appropriate -What vaccinations you should get -The quality of care at the hospital where your doctor would admit you
Resources mentioned in this episode: PrepareForYourCare.org HBO Documentary "Bleed Out" by Steve Burrows HospitalSafetyGrade.org
11 Jun 2019
The Perfect Father's Day Gift
In this episode of the podcast, we talk about how to give your dad the gift of a conversation. Start with sharing memories while looking at pictures together and then discuss a healthcare power of attorney.
You can go on the website: PrepareForYourCare.org and make a healthcare power of attorney in less than an hour. It is a gift that you give to one another-to him, you are letting him know that you value his point of view and want to honor his wishes. And he is giving you the gift of letting you know what to do should a time come when he cannot speak for himself.
For more information go to GettingTheBestCare.com
3 Jun 2019
Why "Routine" Cancer Screenings May Hurt You
There are many routine cancer screenings that have saved many lives over the years. But as we age, the recommendations change. It is important for you to know that your age and health status may determine whether getting a mammogram or colonoscopy is advisable. This is especially important information if you are caring for an aging loved one.
17 May 2019
Questions to Ask and Hospital Safety Ratings
The HBO documentary, Bleed Out by Stephen Burrows is a true and unadulterated telling of the saga that his mother, Judie endured after a hip surgery. In this episode, you will learn the questions that could have prevented this tragedy.
I also talk about the new study recently released that makes hospital safety ratings easy to find. This is information that could save your life or the life of a loved one.
Here is a link to the USA article: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/05/15/leapfrog-hospital-rankings-delaware-patient-safety/3679718002/
8 May 2019
The Perils and Pitfalls of Being an Older Person in the Hospital
Going to the hospital after a fall or after experiencing new symptoms can hold specific risks for people over the age of 70. In this episode, we discuss some of the potential problems for older patients and how to avoid them.
We also talk about the 3 Critical Questions to ask whenever a medication, test or procedure is recommended.
Nothing in this episode should be interpreted as medical advice.
29 Apr 2019
The Miracles and Menaces of Medication after a Stroke or Hospitalization
In this episode, we talk about feeling like a perpetual patient. After going through a sudden health crisis it is easy to get into the habit of being the patient, and passively taking medications and seeing healthcare providers endlessly.
But that comes at the risk of your self-image and can lead to depression. Listen for some tips on how to take back your life and make your goals the centerpiece of all your healthcare!
For more information visit GettingTheBestCare.com
19 Apr 2019
Introduction and Book Excerpts
Margaret Fitzpatrick, MS, RN, CRNA, the author of Getting the Best Care: Rescue Your Loved One from the Healthcare Conveyor Belt, Margaret draws on her over 20 years of experience as a critical care nurse and nurse anesthetist to help you to avoid the common pitfalls that patients and families experience in the healthcare world!
Are you helping an older loved one? Or planning for your own healthcare as you age? This is the podcast for you. Have less stress, make better decisions and prevent the suffering that inappropriate medical interventions can bring as we age.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Contact Getting the Best Care The Insider's Healthcare Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Getting the Best Care The Insider's Healthcare Podcast?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
