When Jari Holland Buck's husband became seriously ill, she stayed by his side and bravely fought for his life. Her steadfast attention to detail-questioning caregivers, researching medicines, and providing a positive, spiritually rich environment for healing-produced a medical miracle: his survival.
The author's vivid experiences form the basis of this guide to becoming a patient advocate. Her life-saving lessons will help you choose the best hospital, develop a partnership with caregivers, prevent medical mistakes, and avoid caregiver burnout. Along with practical advice for enforcing patient rights, executing power of attorney, and avoiding inappropriate hospital charges, the author also explores how to bolster the body, mind, and soul of a critically ill loved one through prayer, positivity, and spiritual healing.
"A must-read for any family caregiver. Jari Holland Buck dramatically brings to life challenges that family members face when a loved one is in the hospital. She proves that with a little knowledge, a lot of love, and by relentlessly asking questions, you can ensure that your loved one receives the best the health care system has to offer and truly become a respected member of the health care team."
-Gary Edward Barg, Editor-in-Chief of Today's Caregiver magazine
"I found Jari's book the best of the lot. It is written in a way that the reader can envision each crisis clearly. It is a first-hand account of what can go wrong in any hospital. It is not overshadowed by anger but gives a realistic account of the facts. I especially appreciated the checklists she created to help families and patients to not forget the steps that are needed to improve patient safety and the quality of care. I encourage patients, families and medical professionals to read this valuable book."
Douglas Hall, principal PULSE of Florida (Patient Safety Advocate)
Jari Holland Buck, author of Hospital Stay Handbook, knows what it is to truly be a patient advocate. What is patient advocacy? Is it the same for every person, every patient? After spending 225 days with her husband in the hospital, Jari discusses what it truly means to be an advocate for any patient that is near and dear to your heart.
My mother will tell you I entered the world with “my voice fully engaged,” the politically correct term for “screaming at the top of my lungs.” I will tell you that I entered the world announcing my mission – advocacy. Over the years I have had many opportunities to describe and refine that mission. Why, then, did I internally stumble several weeks ago when a radio...
What is in your background that made you write this book? Three overwhelming feelings converged to prompt me to write this book: anger about my husband’s illness and set-backs, the major one of which was caused by an infection he contracted in the hospital; frustration regarding the problems we had experienced and how unprepared I had been to address them in the early days;...
People will never stop trying to find ways to heal themselves. In the past few decades, the Western world has grown increasingly intrigued by Eastern forms of alternative healing, including those from Japan. The island nation is rich in history and philosophy, and its people, like people the world over, have long looked for ways... read this article
