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Resources to find a medical wingman

By Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter

You can hire a number of different types of health care professionals to help you navigate the health care system.

For a little help, such as getting you to and from a doctor appointment or pharmacy, or doing all of that plus helping you shower and dress, you might need a home care aide (or "home companion"), a personal care attendant (PCA), or a licensed certified nursing assistant (CNA). The Family Caregiver Alliance offers guidance and many resources to help connect you to the right expert.

If you need a lot of help, such as someone to develop and manage your care plan, you might need the assistance of an Aging Life Care Professional (formerly called a geriatric care manager) or a patient or health care advocate.

Aging Life Care Association

Greater National Advocates

National Association of Healthcare Advocacy

About the Author

Heidi Godman, Executive Editor, Harvard Health Letter

Heidi Godman is the executive editor of the Harvard Health Letter. Before coming to the Health Letter, she was an award-winning television news anchor and medical reporter for 25 years. Heidi was named a journalism fellow … See Full Bio

View all posts by Heidi Godman

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