Inaugural Patient Advocacy Conference to Be Held June 16th

It’s more crucial than ever to know how to advocate for yourself or a loved one during encounters with today’s complex healthcare systems. You can be educated, empowered and inspired at the area's first-ever Patient Advocacy Conference, to be held Friday, June 16.

Sponsored by Northshore Patient Advocates, the conference will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Abbington Distinctive Banquets in Glen Ellyn.

Local and national experts are coming together to pull back the curtain on important health-care topics for today’s seniors and their families. Among the scheduled sessions:

· Long-term care insurance

· How to talk to parents about aging

· Senior housing transitions

· Aging in place

· Demystifying Medicaid

· Medicare matters

· Malpractice 101

· Mental health and neuropsychological needs

· Caregiving

“Our experts will provide valuable insights and practical advice,” said Teri Dreher, founder and CEO of Northshore Patient Advocates, Chicagoland’s largest patient advocacy company. “I’m very excited to bring together their expertise with individuals in search of knowledge and assistance.”

Attendees will also have opportunities to network with the experts, as well as with others facing the same challenges. “My clients often believe they’re alone when they’re dealing with the issues of aging and illness,” Dreher said. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”

Dreher is a nationally recognized expert in patient advocacy, the best-selling author of two books and a popular newspaper columnist. An RN and critical care nurse with 36 years of experience, she has always been passionate about keeping the patient at the center of the nursing care model. This passion led her to form NShore Patient Advocates in 2011.

While she and her staff use their expertise to help clients with health challenges, negative outcomes and insurance issues, Dreher believes everyone has the power to become an advocate for themselves, their parents, their children and other loved ones.

“Knowledge is power,” she says. “You can be ready for expected or unexpected illnesses or surgeries by gaining knowledge and insight into the health-care system.”

Registration for this first-of-its-kind, all-day event is $99 per person, which includes continental breakfast and lunch. During Memorial Day weekend only, the cost to register will be reduced by 50%. Parking is free. The first 50 people to register will receive a free copy of Dreher's new book, "How To Be A Healthcare Advocate For Yourself and Your Loved Ones."

For more information and to register for the conference, visit www.northshorern.com/pac.