From Dr. Nancy A. Taylor, founder of Taylormade

For years now I have listened with dismay to an increasing number of older adults share their healthcare burdens with me during a medication counseling session and feel a weight in my heart because I cannot help them other than to offer a few words of counsel and encouragement in the limited time constraint of my profession. During my time as a retail pharmacist I was considered by social norms to be the most accessible healthcare provider, which is true; I saw people at the beginning and/or end of their current health circumstances. However, by the time they got to me they were so defeated by their circumstances there seemed to be little I could do to help.

I cannot count the number of times I have been asked…

“the Dr. says I have…..what does that mean? What do I do now?”

“my doctor sent over a new medication, can you tell me what it is? I don’t like to take pills, I don’t want to take it”

“there are so many drug plans out there, which one should I get?”

“what do you mean I have nothing here, did you send it to the right doctor?”

“why didn’t my doctor tell me that?”

“I’m in town helping my mother, she has had a stroke. Can you tell me her medications and what they are for?”

“I can’t afford that medication; I only have my social security. How am I supposed to pay for that?”

I have watched the need for healthcare advocacy grow at an alarming rate and I want to help my clients answer these questions. To accomplish this, I knew I needed to step out from behind the counter and into a collaborative union with older adults in need of a personal advocate. Now I have the time to dedicate to those in need of answers before they reach the defeated stage.