by Karen Curtiss | Oct 11, 2026 | Care Partner, Conversations, Medical
Is a loved one always your best healthcare proxy? Jack and Lily were excited about retirement plans to travel the world! But a devastating ALS diagnosis changed everything. New plans included drawing up Jack’s living will with his wishes and directions for medical... by Karen Curtiss | Feb 21, 2023 | Checklists, Conversations, Medical, Patient Safety, Telehealth
Your doctor’s advice may blur from memory, but there’s a good way to keep it in focus! When we’re under the weather – or have any health concerns – our minds and memories simply don’t operate at 100%. Fortunately, smartphones can help us “fill in... by Karen Curtiss | Feb 9, 2023 | Care Partner, Conversations, Medical, Patient Safety Tips
Is a loved one your best voice when you’ve lost yours? Maybe, maybe not. It’s worth some thought. Jack and Lily were excited about retirement plans to travel the world! But a devastating ALS diagnosis changed everything. New plans included drawing up Jack’s living... by Karen Curtiss | Feb 7, 2023 | Conversations, Patient Safety
For good care, lead good conversations. Here’s how. Last week, I shared a story about my mother’s recent ER experience. You may recall how horrified I was when a nurse mistakenly believed I was refusing a medication for my mother, Margaret. Fortunately, a good... by Karen Curtiss | Jan 31, 2023 | Conversations, Patient Safety
Role Reversal in Care: Good Intentions Get Scary! Last Friday, I spent the day with my mother in an Emergency Room and was reminded that, sometimes, best intentions can “go sideways”, even in medicine. Here’s what happened. Mom’s nurse went over three medicines an ER... by Karen Curtiss | Jan 3, 2023 | Conversations, Medical, Patient Safety Tips
Happy new year to you and yours! We’re kicking off the year by shining a light on excellent tips from an excellent reporter in our field. Judith Graham at Kaiser Health News has covered the health care “beat” for 30+ years. Two of her most recent columns are...