Advocare Geriatric Care Management Press Releases
Reprinted from Weston Gazette - January 2003

By Debbie Teich
Feature Writer

Firm Specializes in South Florida Geriatric Care Management Services

For years, Amy Seigel has helped her family; friends, and friends of friends maneuver their way through the health-care system. Now she is doing this on a formal basis through her geriatric care management company, Advocare, Inc.

Advocare, Inc. is specifically a medical geriatric care management company, which offers complete and confidential guidance for patients and families to ensure quality of care and life during times of need. It helps young adults through elderly by acting as a liaison between family, patient, and care providers.

“Navigating the healthcare system for your loved one can create a strain on the emotional and financial resources of a family.” said Seigel. “We work exclusively as an advocate of the patient and their family to achieve the fastest recovery and quality of life while keeping the family’s financial situation in perspective.”

Seigel, RN, CRRN, CCM, has over 20 years of experience assisting patients back to health and recovery after an illness or significant physical injury. Her nursing background includes geriatric care management, emergency medicine, orthopedics, traumatic head and brain injury, and spinal cord injury. She is also certified as a rehabilitation registered nurse and a medical case manager.

Seigel said many ill patients rely on books and information from the Internet, which is usually very general. They often rush into treatments without exploring more conservative options or second opinions. They may also be confused by physician recommendations or discharge instructions. In addition, they may not be clear on the parameters of their insurance coverage and how to afford the care they need.

Since every case is different, Seigel does a complete assessment to determine a client’s medical, functional, and emotional situation. This is done through a local or long distance phone call or in person, at someone’s home or a hospital. If necessary, she will also speak with a discharge planner or case manager from an insurance company.

Seigel can help when someone sustains severe injuries in a major auto accident and is unable to care for himself or when an elderly person is tangled in a maze of multiple physicians, prescriptions, and finds it difficult to understand care options. She can help when someone is confused about a loved one’s medical situation and their prognosis and it seems like an endless shuffle from one medical professional to another, without a clear recovery plan.

Seigel also works with families who live in other cities or states, to help an elderly loved one work through a medical crisis in South Florida. She will accompany the patient to a doctor’s appointment or visit them in a facility to perform unannounced spot checks. She will keep the family informed of the patient’s physical and emotional state.

When Delores Greenberg had a stroke, Seigel helped coordinate her care and rehabilitation. When she was hospitalized with a head injury, Seigel worked with doctors and hospital staff to coordinate her release and make sure her home was safe for her return. “Amy’s interventions when I was ill and in crisis allowed me to have direction, security, and peace of mind knowing that I was receiving the necessary treatment and care,” said Greenberg, 71. “Her knowledge of the medical system enabled me to be quickly seen by the right professionals, in the best facilities for my specific medical problems.”

Joy Duboff had hand surgery for tendonitis in August. It should have been a relatively simple procedure, but she developed an infection and was in and out of hospitals. She became debilitated and had a hard time thinking clearly.

“I could not do anything for myself and my insurance was running out,” said Duboff. “Amy became my eyes and ears. She was able to look at the whole picture and help me understand my options and make complicated decisions. Without her I would be in a terrible place. She helped save my life.”

For a confidential, complimentary phone consultation, call (954) 349-3133.