Hospitals have patient advocates, but they work for the hospital. A private patient advocate works for the family. That difference shapes everything about the role.
What a private advocate does
- Helps the family prepare questions before appointments and write down the answers afterward.
- Attends appointments or care meetings when the family and the older adult want someone present.
- Keeps an organized record: providers, medications list as provided, upcoming appointments, open questions.
- Follows up when a referral, order, or delivery stalls.
- Keeps authorized family members informed.
What a private advocate does not do
- Give medical advice or second-guess clinical decisions.
- Give legal or financial advice.
- Make decisions for the older adult.
- Provide hands-on care or transportation.
Questions to ask any advocate
- What is your background?
- How do you bill, and in what increments?
- Who will you update, and what authorization do you need?
- What do you not do?
At Coastal Access Living, advocacy is billed at $175 per hour in 15-minute increments, rounded up, with the terms in writing before work begins. Learn more on our Family Advocacy & Care Navigation page.