Freedom 55 is actually Freedom 64.5

If you're old enough to remember the Freedom 55 ads in North America, you might recall they encouraged people to buy life insurance so they could retire at age 55. A new poll by the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce poll that found that 61 is now the average age Canadians hope to retire. 

Believe it or not, the Canadian government's stats show that from 2001 to 2021, the average age of retirement was 64.5 years old. I found it interesting that more than half of the non-retirees polled have doubts they will achieve that goal. 41 percent feel confident they are saving enough.

With inflation still running hot and interest rates the highest since 2007, Canadians, whether they are nearing retirement, are worried about their finances.

The poll found 57 percent of Canadians are shifting their focus from planning for the future to meeting their current needs. More than a third of these said they have delayed their retirement plans because of economic conditions.

Another recent poll by Scotiabank found Canadians are worrying about their finances for about five hours more a week than last year. The average time spent worrying is 15 hours a week, up from 10 last year, or about 31 days a year, the same time you might spend on a part-time job.

We continue to feel the impact of higher prices on our wallets, and this is leading to more time spent worrying. For most of us, our income has not kept pace with the rising costs of what we buy, with groceries and gas continuing to be the biggest drivers of strain for us.

The biggest financial worries for Canadians are paying for day-to-day expenses, paying off debt, and saving for emergencies. One in four Canadians is losing sleep over their finances, and Albertans are reportedly the most stressed while people in Quebec are the least stressed.

It's not just those nearing retirement who are anxious about their finances, as a recent RBC poll found that confidence levels in young adults aged 18 to 34 have plunged. Only 18% of respondents said they were confident about their financial futures, compared to 31% last year. More than half of them said they were not prepared for the impact of rising costs, with the top reason being that they had never experienced high inflation before.  The rate of inflation has not been this high since the 1980s and I remember having a mortgage rate of18%.

Despite these challenges, it's important to remember that we are in it for the long run, as we have overcome tough financial situations in the past and can do so again.

Why engage a private patient advocate?

Listen up! If you want some peace of mind when dealing with the complicated world of healthcare, you have got to get yourself a patient advocate. Sure, healthcare providers may have their own advocates, but those guys work for the man. Your personal health advocate can monitor things while you focus on feeling better. Having a patient advocate enables you or your family to concentrate on health, knowing a professional is watching out for them. 

The advocate works with the staff to accomplish the goals of patient care. And, when necessary, can be assertive, pushing issues up the chain of command to get resolution. Taking on this role allows the family to concentrate on the patient and avoid being at odds with the staff. Private advocates work for YOU, and only you. They’re like your own personal tour guide through the maze of medical jargon and confusing treatment options.

And dealing with doctors and nurses can be stressful enough to give anyone anxiety. Even when the interaction is not life-threatening, most people experience anxiety when encountering healthcare providers. Anxiety impedes the ability to think, hear, form questions, to recall information. 

Having an advocate frees you or your family from these worries because the advocate will prepare questions, take notes, raise issues or concerns, be available to talk through the encounter and offer explanations. This does not mean that the advocate takes over or that you relinquish your autonomy. It simply means the patient can breathe a little easier knowing they are with someone who knows how the system works. 

The presence of an advocate usually has a positive impact on the staff. The staff seems to step up a little more, knowing that a professional is monitoring the care. They also appreciate speaking to someone who speaks their language and understands how the system works.

When there are problems, the advocate can address them free of the emotional charge that a family member might bring to the situation, as a professional, who can’t be intimidated. That’s where your advocate comes in, taking notes, asking questions, and just being a badass on your behalf. They’ll even step in and mediate family disagreements over treatment choices or end-of-life decisions.

So don’t be a hero and try to handle it all on your own. Get yourself a patient advocate and let them be your health BFF. I believe it is one of the best gifts you can give yourself with your health and recovery.

The role of the patient advocate 2

 What do patient advocates do? Well, they're basically superheroes but not in scrubs. They swoop in to save the day when the healthcare system is making life more confusing than an IKEA instruction manual. The superhero has the goal of providing the client and their family with whatever they need to feel secure and properly cared for while engaged with the healthcare system.

Some of these healthcare heroes focus on finding the best doctors and hospitals for their clients, while others tackle the beast that is health insurance. Most advocates assist their clients to obtain the best care for their situation. For example, a client is frightened by the need for surgery. Advocacy might include researching the surgeons recommended for the procedure, sharing the results with the client and discussing the pros and cons of each surgeon. And let's not forget about those advocates who hold the hands of terrified patients as they face unfamiliar procedures, or attend doctor's visits armed with questions and notepads.

They're like personal assistants, but with an uncanny ability to navigate the labyrinthine healthcare system. The advocate is often “the squeaky wheel" and we all know what that means. And when it comes to end-of-life planning, they're the wise sage who helps their clients and families make tough decisions with compassion and understanding. Families of clients, who are out of town or otherwise not available, simply want to be certain someone is there monitoring the medical care, intervening when necessary and reporting to them about their loved one.

Other clients need advocacy because of inadequate or unsafe patient care. This can occur when the client has multiple physicians, leading to a lack of coordination or a breakdown in communication. Advocates often mediate tensions that arise between healthcare professionals and family members, who are not at their best because of the stress of the situation.

So if you ever find yourself lost in the healthcare wilderness, don't panic! Just call on a patient advocate to be your trusty sidekick. Together, you can conquer anything that comes your way.

The role of the patient advocate 1

Healthcare has become increasingly complex and difficult to navigate, leading to the emergence of a new role - the patient advocate. My wife was in a hospital in Australia, about 10 years ago, and the hospital assigned us a social worker. Her job was to help us navigate their system. This role, I think, has evolved into the role of patient advocate. This role has evolved from social workers who were assigned to help patients navigate the healthcare system. Patient advocates are individuals who work to help patients navigate the healthcare system, save money, and ensure they receive the best possible treatment.

Until about five years ago, patient advocates were typically employed by hospitals but were not meeting the needs of all patients. This led to the emergence of private patient advocates who can be hired by individuals to work on their behalf for a fee. Many people with older relatives in the healthcare system turn to advocates for help.

It's difficult to provide a clear definition of what a patient advocate does, as it can vary depending on the individual's needs. In general, patient advocacy involves working on behalf of individuals and their families who are involved with the healthcare system. An advocate acts as a guide to the medical world, helping patients navigate the system by using their background in healthcare to understand the language, culture, and key players. Advocates are also aware of the benefits, concerns, and risks associated with healthcare.

While healthcare professionals are well-intentioned, they may be tired, overworked, or burned out, leading to less sensitive care or overlooking patient and family concerns. Patient advocates can help bridge this gap and ensure patients receive the best possible care.