Advocate For Your Own healthcare.

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Medicine has changed so much in the last three decades we hardly know what is going on with our own bodies. The prescription's flow like water and we feel like we are just test subjects in most instances. We get a script for blood pressure, then we get another for the dizziness, then still another for the blurry vision and each one has more side effects than the last one but our providers tell us it is the disease that is giving us all these maladies.

Well , please tell me why we did not have all these ailments before these prescriptions? They tell us we had a stroke and that caused all these new maladies and symptoms, so we must take medications to treat them so they won't get worse.

My name is Beverly Slover-Vierra and I had a full life. I was first a nurse and a single mother of five I went back to school and earned my Masters in health-care administration and became an Administrator and finally I needed to find justice for my own dear Mother and learned to become an Elder abuse investigator.

While attending graduate school, I sold Real Estate and learned from the best of the very best. Thus, I have only two skills, Real Estate and Medical, Although I have only two I absolutely mastered both. I dedicated myself day and night to learn all I possibly could. I learned from the best and I wanted to honor their legends by also being the best.

Except for Investigating. This was a new creature and there was not a lot of precedence to follow. But, the fact that it was my own Mother who was killed spurred me into action as I tiredly fought to get a lawyer to take this case. This soon grew into other cases and before I knew what was happening, I was busier than I ever dreamed. I learned how to find evidence and how to find witnesses to volunteer testimony

Along with giving voluntary interviews. I learned how to tape these interviews and get written testimony. I learned how to look in places too obvious to most. I learned to think ahead and find what my attorney needed to win a case, hands down. Why? Because without having this case sewed up for the attorney I would be nothing more than another Gumshoe out there and not very valuable. I worked for the very best litigators and I got the very best evidence, so they went into court with the confidence of knowing they would win. We were a team, I put the evidence together and the attorney litigated. I also had the satisfaction of knowing I was instrumental in getting justice for the victims of Elder abuse.]

I later had the honor of going after family members who financially. Mentally and medically abused my Mother in law. In fact, I wrote a book about that case and it will be available on this site at a later date.Plus, I spent any and all free time reading Federal and state statutes. Later I worked for Medicare temporarily in instituting the Medicare part D program. And how it applied to Elders. If you want to know what to do about abuse, we will be listing my e-books which have all these answers in them and you will have access to my knowledge, Knowledge such as :

Where and how to complain to whom, and why. How to know you have a case.

How to recognize the different types of abuse.

How to protect yourself.

What elders need to know about Healthcare today.

Understanding Hospitals and how they work.

 Becoming responsible for your own Health care and why you should.

And much, much more!

In addition, I also have a blog you will most likely enjoy. It is at

 www.theelderblog.org

Please feel free to browse my blog and enjoy. Keep checking back as I have much more content to add. 

MY OWN  INTRODUCTION TO MODERN DAY HEALTHCARE.

Health care for seniors has surely changed drastically! I had not needed a hospital since 1985 when I had a Hysterectomy and have been in good health ever since. Recently, I did something extremely foolish and landed in a hospital.  I had given in to the glorious cravings of my favorite childhood cookies, when I found them at Sam's club, packaged in a very large quantity of one hundred cookies. This is the foolish part. I sat down and ate over half that box of cookies. Yes, I did! Then washed it down with a thirty-two ounce green slush! Yep, You guessed it! I got very sick and very dizzy, which lasted from late evening on into late afternoon the next day. I went by ambulance to the hospital and I honestly thought I had a stomach flu or a virus and was pretty dehydrated as well. I felt secure going to a Catholic hospital and I surely felt safe with the ambulance. Let me just stop here and say this. I have worked in medical all my life and the Ambulance Has always been such an integral part of saving lives. But, now, they are literally a hospital on wheels! Those guys are the best of the very best and I personally think they are even better than many, many doctors. Besides that, they have excellent bedside manner.  There would be a lot of DOA's if not for their terrific skills.  Let's not forget they are also adept at fighting fires! Can we possibly be  more fortunate?  

When I was in the emergency department (it is no longer called the emergency  room, it is actually a whole department now.) What I learned while there was, that everyone over sixty- five years of age needs to be admitted for at least a two day stay. Why? Because Medicare pays well for this, no questions asked.

Another thing I learned is that any type of dizziness , whether from infection, dehydration, glucose overload or whatever can be admitted as a stroke. Additionally, if they admit a possible stroke patient, they can keep them and do multiple cat scans, MRI's, clot scans, stroke scans etc.   The more scan the better. They can falsify your records and say you are a former alcoholic, drug abuser, or both and use that as a reason for treatments not working, what is more they can assimilate A fib by giving full doses of Benadryl and Valium at the same time as this combination  will often cause tachycardia in most patients. Plus, This results of Tachycardia also  assimilates A-fib as well, in many cases. How about that, another diagnosis!  Now if they lie on the intake and say you are a drug addict or alcoholic or both, the possibilities are endless. Woo- Hoo! You can be a real money maker. See Medicare does not know these things. Thus, you become a cash cow from the moment you come through those doors of the emergency department. The Elderly are perfect victims for these hospitals to milk the Medicare system. Especially in hospitals owned by private equity firms. Many of these private equity firms are owned by Foreign Doctors or groups. Many from India. These firms try to remove themselves from all liability by contracting with management companies to hire doctors, nurses and staff. They attempt to remove themselves from the hospital practices, At least they think they do. Once admitted and a patient on a med floor, they do not help you to a shower because they can have someone from Rehabilitation come and watch you take a "French Bath" and that is considered therapeutic. They actually bill for that as Rehabilitation. The patient is more than willing because they want and need a bath so badly.  The management company thinks of every way to monetize anything staff might do or see. Yes, I said management company, These companies do all the hiring, firing and make up all the rules that earn them money. They care about you alright, only as unlimited possibilities to line their pockets! The other Elder money maker is, they send you to their Rehabilitation facility which they claim you need so badly, This facility is their Nursing home on the same campus. What a unique way to fill the nursing homes. Once you go there nothing says you will go home again. It is a possibility you will one day leave in a body bag. All this when you consider the Ativan cocktails, the neglect and let us not forget the end of life therapy. The Medicare system can really milked in these facilities. Have you started to see the big picture? These firms are " fleecing" Medicare and using the Elderly as  sacrificial lambs to do so.  At the same time they are pumping elderly patients full of drugs so they cannot figure out what is really going on. After all, we are so dispensable. While they are also helping to thin the herd.

  The days of suing for malpractice against doctors and  hospital facilities are over unless the Elder has actually died. Yes, but we can still sue for neglect, wrongful diagnoses and sue  the Health insurance for Elder Abuse when they deny physical therapy, diabetic supplies, counseling  and other services then call and want to know if they can help any further. You will need to file complaints file, turn them in to Medicare for fraud when they charge for what never happens. and just turn their world upside down, then take their money in a  lawsuit. We don't have to let them get away with it. Follow  our site and learn what you can do, how, to do it, and become your own advocate. That is the key! Becoming your own advocate.

In addition, lawyers need to know what is going on. They have tied your hands, well here is a way to cut the binds that tie you up. Investigators learn how to get what you need for the litigator, you will learn how you need to prepare him beyond a reasonable doubt Knowledge is absolutely worthless unless it is shared. Then it becomes invaluable. I have a reputation for NOT playing nice with bad  guys, and I never sugar coat anything. I am not a bakery. Please allow me to introduce myself. My name is Beverly Vierra and I am a retired Elder abuse/ wrongful death investigator. Before becoming an investigator, I was a surveyor fot nursing facilities and a QMRP for MRDD. Preceding that I was a Nurse and went back to school to earn my Masters degree in health care administration. I had a total of forty five years in my career from start to retirement. This is all completely my knowledge, my experiences and my own techniques and opinions. These things have worked for me in my career and still do. I want to share some pointers with Elders.

When it comes to health care  always ask the Doctor these questions.

1. What is my diagnosis?

2. Why are we doing this ,test, procedure. x-ray, etc.?

3. How many of these tests or  Procedures have I had?

4. Who benefits? who benefits monetarily? 

5. What are my surroundings? 

It is like having a sonogram to see if you have cancer. It tells something is unusual but, it does  not tell if  is cancer. There had to be something unusual in the exam in the first place. to request a sonogram. It is one of those tests that sort of sneak past insurance companies. That particular test is probably not necessary but it can also cover for a practitioner who is not sure of themselves. You know, better safe than sorry approach. 

6. Always, always and always ask questions and  write down the answers if you have to. 

When asked  why you are writing everything down just answer " I want to be sure I do what I am suppose to." This may make some providers edgy. If it does you may be seeing the wrong provider.

7. Always bring someone with you to your medical appointment even in the exam room. Your spouse, your daughter, grandchild, best friend, cousin, whatever. Just don't go alone. You may need a witness later. Plus, providers tend to be on much better behavior. Providers, even Doctors tend to back down when there is someone in the room who is a visitor and coherent.

8. Never,  ever, ever and never be alone in the hospital. I don't care if you have to beg cousin Myrtle, hire the lady down the street, threaten to divorce your spouse or cut your kids out of your will. Never be alone in the hospital. You will get much better care and  you will not get run over by hospitalists and/or Doctors who want to give you harmful medicine , send you to a nursing facility or any other  questionable practice.

I am not trying to make hospitals and Doctors out to be all shady and harmful.  I really am not. However, there are just too many hospitals being sold to Private equity groups who really do NOT have your medical interests at heart. Believe me when I tell you those people who were so trusting many times end up in the morgue and they cannot tell their story. Times have changed! 

9. If once discharged, you have a bad feeling about the hospital , you know, just too many red flags. Go to your computer . Find out who owns that hospital. Check and see how many times they have been sued.  That will give you answers. Do a background check on the Hospitalist Doctor. Your findings may be cause for concern and you may want a second opinion. Lastly be sure to ALWAYS get your hospital record!  We hope you won't need it but it is better to be prepared, just in case.

ELDER HEALTHCARE TODAY  CONTINUED

   Let's continue on with my personal experience: 

My first week admitted to the hospital  was a bit of a blur. I remember waking up in ICU and wondering what was next. I did not have to wonder too long because I was not there fir the entire day. Then, all I remember is going to a medical floor and being so cold and just wanting to sleep. I could not stay awake no matter how hard I tried.

  However, my daughter and son were with me each day and whatever I missed they knew about. The most I remember about the first week was that I was so cold. But, with four or five heart medications in my IV daily It is no wonder I was so cold.  

  I remember, the room was not the cleanest and the bed was a mattress with a fitted sheet and wedge of foam for a pillow. Thankfully, my husband brought my pillow from home and my son found the blanket warmer where he got warm bath towels for me to cover with.

   I had several Cat scans,  Clot scans. Stroke scan  and an MRI. They were waiting for my brain to swell and it did not, or it did swell some and then went back down, I never found out for sure exactly what that scenario was.. The doctors seemed disappointed and confused because my brain never did swell or bleed or whatever..  I remember waking up and seeing all these foreign Doctors standing at the foot of my bed. My honest first thought was what are we all doing here? They were all far east Indian and I had no idea I was in a hospital and they were Doctors. My next awakening memory was, they were like vultures standing around my bed waiting for my brain to swell or bleed and they appeared disappointed when neither happened.

I was given a combination of antibiotics, potassium, magnesium and fluids intravenously for nine days straight. I had Statins and heart medications injected intramuscularly daily and nightly  I was given a unit of Insulin after meals and Glipizide daily along with aspirin.

They seemed more concerned with the A-fib diagnosis than the stroke. The fact is they did not even treat the Hypertension at all, not did they ever discuss it at any time. I had a daily visit of foreign doctors around my bed, I even had a failed attempt of a neurologist on a TelePrompTer, then an actual virtual visit by said neurologist on the Teleprompter a couple of days before I was released.  Next the American Doctor who spoke fluent English, and  was a pediatrician came in my room and ordered me to take five gulps of water at every Television commercial. Now I would have been happy to do this except. I was not aware of the television and  if you want me to gulp water, then please don't administer drugs to make me sleep! 

 Since my insurance would not pay for  hospital Rehab ,after submitting multiple requests the Doctor decided  I needed to go to their nursing home on campus for rehab. My children told her in no uncertain terms that would not happen, not now, not ever! So she  decided to give me Metformin for diabetes. Once again my children told her No, it was too controversial. Needless to say, I think  she was ready to get rid of me.  

The Doctors then  decided  I needed some form of rehab, since I had a stroke. That is when, a very nice gentleman came to my room and got me up and had me walk.  This I did three times Next I had a very confused woman come to my room and ask me to wiggle my toes and point my left foot, then my right foot and lift each foot independently. Now if I could walk to the end of the hall and back, I certainly did not need to exhibit strength in my feet. That was backwards.  I did not see her again for a few days. This woman  decided I needed intense rehab.  My insurance company disagreed. She then decided she was going to train me to take a French bath and dress myself. Complete with brushing teeth and combing my hair.  I thought this was also moot since I had taken two showers and dressed myself in the days previous to her visit.,

 When I complained there was sugar on my meal tray and I am suppose to be on a diabetic diet  I jokingly said " "boy, the Joint commission should eat in this cafeteria! The charge Nurse came into my room and explained how a glucose monitor worked and I needed to go on a diet. She failed to tell me what diet. I was discharged the very next day with NO instructions from a doctor or no follow up from a nurse. Just that afternoon a nurse's aid came into my room with a wheelchair  and said " time to go" and I was discharged with a bundle of papers and a glucose monitor. No notice, no information, just good bye! I felt that was really strange. I later found out this hospital is owned by a private equity group.  This is another private Equity firm that buys catholic hospitals and continues to make money from the preceding owner's good name. It takes years for people to put together the scam they are running. This hospital was no more catholic than a Jewish Synagogue!  They just took advantage of the unknowing good Catholics who had faith in the predecessors who ran the hospital along with their good reputation. It makes you wonder how these greedy so called doctors sleep at night. Typical Private Equity Firm.

Join us to learn what it is and how it works, and why people find it hard to prosecute or hold them accountable. Learn their vulnerabilities and what you can do about their insufficient care, including how to pursue a lawsuit. Become your own advocate and get answers. You should never  make decisions in your own interest unless they are informed decisions. It is the same way  with consent. Make absolutely sure you only give informed consent. Why? because that is the biggest loophole in malpractice lawsuits, You gave consent. They told you the procedure and some of the risks. Did you question them? In depth? without doing that you are giving a carte blanche to do as they like.