Agent Work
If you have been appointed as Power of Attorney or Guardian of a loved one or for a client and are overwhelmed by the responsibility you now bear, or lack the clinical expertise required, you can turn to IKOR for help. As your agent, you remain in control while we handle any administrative tasks or provide the clinical expertise to and help you make the best decisions for your loved one or clients.
Attending Doctor Appointments
Our Registered Nurse Advocates are available to attend appointments with primary care physicians and other medical professionals. Our clients can benefit by having an experienced registered nurse at their side during a doctor’s appointment to help them ask questions, understand treatment options, make sense of the doctor’s instructions, and even answer pertinent questions the doctor may have regarding their medical history or medications.
Following the doctor’s visit, your Registered Nurse Advocate can help arrange follow-up visits, coordinate referrals to specialists, and answer any questions one has following their appointment.
Care Coordination
We improve the lines of communication between primary care physicians, specialists, in-home care providers, and others who are responsible for our client’s health. By ensuring our client’s care team is on the same page, we can improve the efficiency of the delivery of their care and minimize duplicative tests, screenings, or procedures.
Our Registered Nurse Advocates can follow up on lab results, coordinate follow-up appointments or referrals to specialists, and ensure other care providers are aware of any changes in medications or treatment plans.
Comprehensive Care Plan Assessments
IKOR is a trusted partner and service provider to both individuals and families as well as the many medical, financial and legal professionals who serve them. To support the needs for whatever the requirement, as an independent third-party professional, IKOR provides comprehensive care plan assessments and reports which incorporate a detailed review of our client’s medical, environmental, financial, and psychosocial aspects of their care and wellbeing. These assessments look at the specific life goals and objectives of the individual, provide a detailed review of any presenting medical conditions, their ADLs and IADLs, their medication regimen, supporting care providers, and any programs and services that may be available to them. IKOR provides recommendations within each category to promote independence, safety, health and to improve the quality of life for our clients and in a cost-effective manner.
Crisis Intervention
When an individual experiences a sudden and unforeseen medical emergency, it can be difficult for family members or close friends to set aside their emotions and work with medical professionals to determine the best course of action.
As part of our patient advocacy, IKOR’s Registered Nurse Advocates are ready to step in during a medical crisis to ensure the patient’s treatment wishes are being honored. Additionally, they help family members understand the treatment options being proposed and the benefits and risks associated with each treatment option.
Guardianship
IKOR is trusted by the courts to advocate and manage the medical affairs of the most vulnerable in society. Guardianship is an undesirable situation for any individual to find themselves in. However, IKOR and its staff are experts in the field, and are approved under Section 81 Part 36 of the New York State Unified Court System and have served as expert, care manager and service provider on matters under the jurisdictions
To learn how you can avoid court-ordered guardianship, please visit our Essential Life Documents resource page.
Home Safety Assessments
Falls, the majority of which occur within the home, are a leading cause of injury and hospitalizations for those 65 years of age and older. More than one in four older Americans fall each year, and falling once doubles your chances of falling again. In fact, every second of every day within the United States an older adult falls, making these falls the number one cause of injuries and deaths from injuries among older Americans according to the CDC.
Such injuries are largely preventable by identifying specific areas of risk, and ensuring a safe and secure environment within your home. Utilizing our proprietary Home Safety Assessment application, IKOR will conduct a comprehensive 101 point safety check in all areas of your home, and provide you detailed recommendations within each specific living area. IKOR has access to the best contractors and service providers to ensure whatever modifications may be required can be done properly and at a fair price to ensure your safety within your home.
Patient Advocacy
Our team of life care managers includes highly experienced Registered Nurse Advocates. Our RN Advocates attend doctor appointments with clients, help our clients understand treatment options, coordinate care between primary care physicians and specialists, and ask questions to ensure our clients are getting the best care and treatment options available.
To learn more about how patient advocates can improve an individual’s healthcare quality, visit our patient advocate page in the resource center.
Personal Rights Protection
Seniors and individuals with disabilities often find themselves working harder to ensure their rights are not infringed upon. IKOR’s team of experienced life care managers can advocate for individuals’ rights and bring in other qualified professionals to protect a person’s rights as necessary.
Predatory Behavior & Financial Exploitation Mitigation
Scam artists and those who seek to exploit seniors, individuals with disabilities, and their families seem to know no bounds. Our life care managers are skilled at recognizing the tell-tale signs of financial scams and unscrupulous individuals. We will assess the situation and the risk to the individual, then offer plans to mitigate the risk.
In situations where an individual is being victimized, our team has the experience necessary to intervene to stop the victimization and make referrals to the necessary professionals to help put the victim back on the path to recovery.
Treatment Compliance
The fastest road to recovery is following the doctor’s prescribed treatment plan. Poor adherence to a treatment plan can slow recovery or lead to other medical complications, both of which cost the patient money and keeps them from enjoying activities and time with friends and family.
IKOR’s Registered Nurse Advocates can improve an individual’s overall healthcare by helping them follow the treatment plan. Should the anticipated outcomes of the treatment plan occur slower than expected, the Registered Nurse Advocate will coordinate with the doctor to adjust the treatment plan helping to ensure a timely recovery.