Be Proactive. Be Prepared. Be Empowered.

Hello September! 🍂

As we move into a new month and begin the transition toward fall, it’s a natural time to check in—not only with our schedules and routines, but with our health.

This month at The Patient Path, our theme is:

Be Proactive. Be Prepared. Be Empowered.

One of the most important lessons in patient advocacy is that we don’t have to wait until something goes wrong to become involved in our healthcare.

Advocacy can begin long before a crisis.

It begins with paying attention.

💙 Be Proactive: Know What’s Normal for You

We know our bodies better than anyone else.

We know our usual energy level. We know how we normally sleep, move, eat, think, and feel. And for those managing chronic conditions, we often become familiar with certain symptoms and patterns as part of everyday life.

That knowledge matters.

Being proactive doesn’t mean becoming anxious about every ache, pain, or change. It means developing enough awareness to recognize when something is different, persistent, worsening, or concerning.

When that happens, don’t simply dismiss what your body is telling you.

Make a note of what you’re experiencing. When did it begin? How often does it happen? Is it getting better or worse? Is anything else occurring at the same time?

Then share those observations with the appropriate healthcare professional.

You don’t have to diagnose yourself.

You simply need to be able to say:

“This is different from what is normal for me, and I would like to talk about it.”

That is self-advocacy.

📝 Be Prepared: Make Your Health Information Work for You

Think about the last time you were asked to provide your medical information.

Could you quickly list all of your current medications and doses?

What about your allergies, major diagnoses, healthcare providers, recent procedures, or emergency contact?

When we’re sitting comfortably at home, these questions may seem easy. During an unexpected health situation, they can become much harder to answer.

That’s why our September Patient Path Health Challenge is to create or update a:

Personal Health Snapshot

Your snapshot can be a simple one-page document containing:

• Current medications and doses
• Medication or other relevant allergies
• Major medical conditions
• Important surgeries or procedures
• Healthcare providers and contact information
• Emergency contact
• Other important health information your healthcare team should know

Keep it current and somewhere accessible. Consider bringing an updated copy to healthcare appointments.

Preparation may seem like a small thing—until the moment you really need it.

🗣️ Be Empowered: Your Voice Belongs in the Conversation

Empowerment in healthcare doesn’t mean knowing everything.

It means knowing that you have the right to participate.

Ask questions when something isn’t clear.

Ask why a test is being ordered.

Ask what your treatment options are.

Ask what symptoms or changes should prompt you to call your healthcare team.

Ask what happens next.

And if you don’t understand the answer, it is perfectly appropriate to say:

“Could you explain that to me in a different way?”

There is no prize for leaving a healthcare appointment confused.

Understanding your care is part of participating in it.

❤️ A Word for Caregivers

Caregivers are an important part of the healthcare journey, too.

You may notice changes in your loved one’s appetite, energy, mobility, memory, sleep, mood, or ability to complete everyday activities.

Those observations can provide valuable information.

Write them down. Be specific. When appropriate, discuss them with your loved one and share relevant observations with the healthcare team while respecting the patient’s voice, privacy, and preferences.

And caregivers, remember something else:

Your health matters, too.

Please don’t become so focused on caring for someone else that your own appointments, medications, rest, nutrition, and emotional well-being continually move to the bottom of the list.

You are a person—not only a caregiver.

🌻 A September Thought from Sherry

This month, I encourage you to think about patient advocacy before you need it.

Don’t wait for a difficult diagnosis, hospitalization, or healthcare crisis to begin learning how to participate in your care.

Start now.

Learn about your health.

Organize your information.

Pay attention to changes.

Prepare for appointments.

Ask questions.

And remember that asking for help when you need it is also a form of strength.

You don’t have to know everything about healthcare.

But you can become more knowledgeable about your healthcare.

One small step at a time.

Wishing you a healthy, informed, and empowered September.

Sherry Griffeth
Board Certified Patient Advocate
The Patient Path

Knowledge brings confidence. Advocacy brings hope.