Advocating For a Family Member in the Hospital 

Caring for a loved one in the hospital can be challenging for family members.  The hustle and bustle of the hospital can lead to oversights by the medical team and lack of sufficient attention to the needs of the patients.  Nicole Christensen, professional advocate and CEO of Care Answered, will give you insider knowledge of what takes place at the hospital, the hospitalization journey, who you can call upon for support, and what you need to know to ensure your loved one gets the proper medical attention he/she needs. 

Focus areas include:

• Understanding changes in the hospital system today.
• Communicating your needs without alienating the medical team.
• Establishing a baseline for your loved one’s medical status.
• Understanding the discharge process and your rights in the hospital.
• Understanding your hospital bill.

Nicole Christensen is the CEO of Care Answered, a healthcare coordination and advocacy organization specializing in older adults and their families.  Care Answered expertly navigates the healthcare system for clients and helps remove the strenuous obstacles common place in the healthcare process.  Holding a Master of Science in Urban Affairs, Ms. Christensen has over 15 years of professional advocacy experience.  In her work, she had the opportunity to develop and strengthen advocacy programs in Washington DC, NYC and Long Island.  In addition to her professional experience, she has personal knowledge of the challenges of healthcare coordination and advocacy from assisting her own parents. Ms. Christensen’s expert opinions and presentations are requested by Feeding America, news outlets, businesses, civic organizations, congregations, and legislators.