Managing care for an older adult can involve appointments, discharge instructions, home-care schedules, transportation, family communication and community resources. When several people or organizations are involved, it can become difficult to keep information and responsibilities organized.
Horizon Care Services provides personalized senior advocate services throughout Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties. Our advocacy support helps seniors and authorized family members understand available resources, organize care-related information and coordinate nonclinical services.
Senior advocacy does not replace medical, nursing, legal, financial or emergency services. Horizon’s role depends on the client’s needs, authorization, requested services and individualized advocacy plan.
A senior advocate helps an older adult and authorized family members navigate practical questions and care-related responsibilities.
Depending on the arrangement, an advocate may help:
The client remains at the center of all decisions. A senior advocate should support the client’s voice rather than replace it.
The advocacy process begins by discussing the client’s current circumstances, daily routines, personal-care needs, mobility, family involvement and existing providers.
The review may consider:
This is a nonclinical review unless an appropriately licensed healthcare professional is assigned to perform a clinical assessment.
Families may receive instructions and documents from several providers. An advocate can help organize information supplied by the client, family and authorized professionals.
This may include:
An advocate does not independently verify medical accuracy or interpret clinical instructions. Unclear or conflicting information should be addressed by the appropriate physician, pharmacist, nurse or other qualified professional.
When arranged in advance, an advocate or caregiver may help the client prepare for and attend an appointment.
Assistance may include:
The physician or other healthcare professional remains responsible for explaining diagnoses, treatments, medications and medical recommendations.
An advocate does not select treatment, provide informed consent for the client or make medical decisions unless the individual separately holds valid legal authority permitting that action.
A senior advocate can help the client and family determine which everyday activities require additional assistance.
The advocate may help coordinate services such as:
The approved services and schedule are documented in the appropriate care plan. Care professionals perform only the tasks permitted by their credentials, training and assigned responsibilities.
Returning home after hospitalization, rehabilitation or an emergency room visit can involve several practical steps.
Senior advocacy support may include:
Medication reconciliation, clinical assessments, therapy, wound treatment and other medical services must be completed by appropriately qualified healthcare professionals.
An advocate may help identify publicly available or private resources related to:
Identifying a resource does not guarantee eligibility, availability, coverage or a particular outcome.
The federal Eldercare Locator also connects older adults and caregivers with local aging resources and can be reached at 1-800-677-1116.
When authorized by the client or legal representative, an advocate may help keep designated family members informed about the nonclinical care arrangement.
Communication may address:
Privacy rules and the client’s authorization determine which information may be shared and with whom.
Senior advocate services may be useful when:
An advocate cannot guarantee that every requested service or resource will be available.
Someone living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia may need additional help organizing routines, communicating with providers and coordinating family involvement.
Depending on the client’s legal decision-making arrangements and authorizations, an advocate may help:
Horizon Care Services does not diagnose dementia or make medical or legal decisions for the client. Questions about diagnosis, treatment, capacity, guardianship or legal authority must be addressed by the appropriate qualified professional.
Learn more about Horizon’s in-home dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
Parkinson’s disease may affect mobility, communication, daily routines and the ability to attend appointments.
Advocacy support may include:
Horizon’s advocates and private-duty caregivers do not independently evaluate or treat Parkinson’s symptoms.
Learn more about in-home care for people with Parkinson’s disease.
Unless the assigned person holds the necessary professional license and the service is separately authorized, Horizon’s senior advocates do not provide:
An advocate can help identify the type of professional the family may need, but the advice itself must come from the properly qualified physician, nurse, attorney, financial professional, insurance representative or government agency.
For official questions about Medicare benefits, coverage, complaints or appeals, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Before communicating with healthcare providers, insurers or family members, Horizon may require written authorization from the client or the client’s legally authorized representative.
Being a spouse, adult child or caregiver does not automatically provide legal authority to:
Families should consult an appropriate attorney regarding powers of attorney, healthcare surrogate designations, guardianship and other legal-authority questions.
Horizon Care Services begins by discussing the client’s concerns, goals, existing support and requested assistance.
The advocate reviews available information about daily routines, appointments, home-care services, family involvement and practical challenges.
The plan identifies:
The advocate carries out the agreed nonclinical tasks and communicates with approved individuals and organizations.
The advocacy arrangement can be reviewed when circumstances, goals or support needs change. Medical or legal changes may require new written authorization before coordination can continue.
Horizon Care Services assists clients in communities including:
Service availability depends on the client’s location, requested assistance, authorization, advocacy plan and staff availability.
Families may sometimes need services that fall outside Horizon Care Services’ private-duty home-care scope.
Each organization operates under its own scope, eligibility requirements and service arrangements.
If your family needs help organizing care-related responsibilities or connecting with appropriate resources, Horizon Care Services can help you explore available senior advocate services.
Call 561-776-7757 (toll-free 877-227-3890) or contact Horizon Care Services to discuss senior advocacy and private-duty home care.
Horizon Care Services serves Palm Beach, Martin and St. Lucie Counties. NR# 30211200 | HHA# 299994406
This page provides general information and is not medical, nursing, legal, financial, insurance or tax advice. Consult the appropriately qualified professional regarding medical decisions, legal authority, finances, benefits and insurance coverage.
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Kindly take a moment to complete the form and a member of our team will reach out to you as soon as possible.
No long-term contract · No membership fees · Cancel anytime
If you're currently experiencing an emergency situation, it would be best to call 911.
