How Important is a Medical Advocate?

 The short answer is, very important.  A medical advocate, or medical appointment companion, could be a caregiver, family member or trusted friend.  Their purpose is to make sure you don't miss important information during a possible overwhelming appointment.  Especially when you're hearing a new diagnosis, discussing a procedure, or making an important treatment decision, an extra set of ears is helpful.  It's easy to miss details or forget what was said.  Two people can remember more than one.  If you are asking the questions, perhaps your trusted friend or relative can take notes, so you can concentrate on the conversation.  Or, they may ask questions you might not have thought of.  After the appointment, your advocate can help you think through your decision or provide another perspective without making the decision for you.

We're never too old to ask for help.  Many of us find that difficult, but we're all here to help each other.  Some may think that asking for help is a sign of weakness, but really, it's about knowing when you can't handle something on your own.  That's not weakness, it's being smart.  Let's all be smart, ask for help when we need it, and for goodness sake, bring another pair of ears along to your important medical appointments.