Part 2 of 3: When you Become the Advocate- Helping a Parent Through the Healthcare Maze

Behind the scenes: The support they don’t always see but feel

In Part 1, we talked about what happens when your parent walks out of a doctor’s office feeling confused, brushed off, or unsure of what was just said. Now, let’s talk about the part that happens after the visit—the part that often falls on you.

Because once the appointment is over, the follow-up begins.

Prescriptions need to be filled. Prior authorizations get denied. Medications aren’t covered. One provider says to check with another. And your parent is left holding a dozen puzzle pieces, unsure how they’re supposed to fit together.

That’s where your behind-the-scenes advocacy becomes powerful.

They May Not Know Where to Start—But You Can Step In to help

Older adults often feel overwhelmed when dealing with pharmacy or insurance issues. They’re not being passive or avoiding responsibility—they’re exhausted by a system that isn’t easy for them to navigate.

You can support them by stepping into key roles:

Step in to make sure that they have their medications in a timely manner

Have you ever gotten a call that the prescription wasn’t ready, only to discover the doctor never sent it in? Or that the pharmacy didn’t have it in stock?

This is common—and solvable.

• Pro tip: Call the pharmacy directly to confirm receipt and availability of new prescriptions.
  

• Ask for medication synchronization: This is a service that allows your parent’s prescriptions to be refilled on the same day each month, rather than scattered throughout the month. This simplifies pickup or delivery, reduces missed doses, and makes managing medications much easier for both them and you.

• Help them enroll in auto-refill or delivery: Many pharmacies offer this, but it requires setup—and patience.
  
  

Handle the Insurance “No” That Really Means “Try Again”

Insurance denials can feel final, but they’re often just the start of a longer process.

• If a medication isn’t covered, ask the pharmacy what the denial reason was. Then contact the prescribing office and ask if they’ll initiate a prior authorization or consider an alternative.

• If something was denied after a hospital stay, reach out to the case manager or discharge planner. There may be a workaround or secondary option.
  
  

Remember: You speaking up often gets the process moving faster than your parent trying to navigate confusing phone trees and hold times.

Become a Friendly, Persistent Voice on the Care Team

Your parent likely has more than one provider—and those providers don’t always talk to each other.

• Create a one-page medication and diagnosis summary you can bring to every visit (or send ahead). This keeps everyone on the same page.

• Don’t be afraid to call the office: “Hi, I’m helping my mom manage her care. She saw Dr. Smith yesterday and was prescribed a new medication. Can you confirm it’s been sent to the pharmacy?”

• Ask about care coordination: Some clinics have a care manager or nurse navigator who can be your inside connection for keeping things straight.
  
  

This Is the Work of Advocacy. It’s Not Always Visible, But It Matters Deeply.

When you step in to sort out confusing instructions, find a missing prescription, or untangle an insurance issue, your parent might not see every step you took—but they’ll feel the difference. They’ll feel more at ease, more supported, and less alone in the process.

You’re not overstepping. You’re showing up. You’re being a steady hand in a system that too often leaves people to figure things out on their own. And that quiet, consistent support? It’s what holds everything together.

To your parent, it’s more than help—it’s love in action, and it makes all the difference.

Need help getting organized—or want to stop feeling like you’re guessing your way through?

Let’s talk.
Schedule your free 30-minute discovery call, and we’ll walk through what’s going on behind the scenes—and how to make it easier.