Advice for Caregivers to Make Medical Visits Easier with Dr. Monique Nugent
Text your thoughts and questions!
As a caregiver, navigating the healthcare system can be overwhelming, especially during hospital stays or medical emergencies. Dr. Monique Nugent, a practicing hospitalist and author of "Prescription for Admission," joins me today as she shares her expert advice on organizing information, communicating effectively with medical teams, and managing expectations to make the process easier for everyone involved. This week, episode 251 of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast is about advice for caregivers to make medical visits easier!
Dr. Monique Nugent is a practicing hospitalist and the associate director for the Division of Hospital Medicine at South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Massachusetts. She is the author of Prescription for Admission, a guide to navigating hospitalization with confidence and ease. With over a decade of clinical and leadership experience, she is dedicated to making healthcare equitable, safe, and accessible for all.
In this episode of the Positively LivingⓇ Podcast, Dr. Monique Nugent recognizes the physical and emotional weight that caregivers carry and shares her actionable advice for how to navigate hospital stays with more ease and grace.
Dr. Monique Nugent and I cover the following topics:
- The importance of organizing medical information ahead of time and how often you should update this information.
- Setting clear communication expectations with healthcare teams so everyone is on the same page.
- Conducting a “debrief” with family members after a hospital stay to review what happened and how to move forward.
- Emphasizing the emotional challenges of caregiving and the need for caregivers to take breaks and be open to support from others.
By taking a proactive approach, organizing information, and communicating effectively, you can ensure your loved one receives the best possible care while also taking care of yourself.
CONNECT WITH DR. MONIQUE NUGENT:
CONNECT WITH LISA ZAWROTNY:
LINKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
(Find links to books/gear on the Positively Productive Resources Page.)
Ep 34: My Caregiver and Clutter Story
Ep 37: Estate Organizing with Eileen Moynahan
Ep 81: Boost Caregiver Resilience Through Creativity with Kate Chapman
Ep 155: Music as Self-Care for Caregivers with Dawn Renee
Ep 156: How to Reduce Mental Load as a Parent or Caregiver with Roxanne Ferber
Request this Toolkit and other free resources at the Resources Page.