Ask. Ask again. Be clear. Ask until you get the answer you want.

Busy morning. I have received three calls already from three separate solicitors asking me to advertise my law firm in their book / website / online catalog etc. 

I kindly told all three we had spoken a few weeks back, and I didn’t have it in my advertising budget to advertise with them and I would be in touch if anything changed. 

All three of these males pushed back. All three of them pretended we hadn’t spoken before the Holidays. Two of them even tried to tell me what a bad decision I was making (in kinder words and terms) before I hung up.

Clear communication is important. I tried to be clear with them.

But when a loved one is in a nursing home and in need of medical care, clear communication may not be enough. You will also need frequent, repetitive communication. 

I made it clear that I don’t want to spend money with these companies. I was kind but firm. They will call back and I will be kind but firm again. 

Why does this relate to a nursing home abuse blog where we empower families to be advocates for better care and hold facilities accountable when abuse or neglect occurs? Because again, clear communication is important, but sharing a complaint, concern, idea or worry once, is not enough.

• You need to clearly communicate that you want the doctor to be called RIGHT NOW.  Don’t ask once, ask until it happens. If the call isn’t made, you pick up the phone and call. This is America, you can call 911, or a doctor, or help as needed!
• You need to clearly communicate that you are concerned about their lack of appetite. Don’t tell the nursing aide, tell her boss, and her boss, and put it in writing, and ask for a follow up meeting with the dietitian. Don’t think a casual mention of a complaint will effectuate change.
• Worried that therapy isn’t going well? Have a meeting with the whole therapy team. Look at records. Follow up in writing. 

There are too many examples to mention but my advice is clear: Be as  persistent as my solicitors were  today. Call back. Ask again. Clarify your request. Put it in writing. Then ask again.