As 2024 comes to a close, I am reflecting on a year filled with impactful work, meaningful connections, and exciting milestones. Beacon Patient Solutions LLC has continued to provide essential support to clients navigating complex healthcare and solo aging challenges while championing awareness, education, and community for solo agers. Here’s a recap of our achievements this year:

As we balance responsibilities and adapt to evolving routines, it’s more important than ever to prioritize preparedness—particularly when it comes to your health. A key step in this process is creating, reviewing, and updating your Personal Health Record (PHR).

The Patriot Ledger, the daily newspaper of the South Shore of Massachusetts, ran a front page story on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 about Ailene Gerhardt’s Solo Aging series being offered at the Milton Council on Aging.

The Healthcare Advocate Summit recognizes that advocates working directly with patients/clients and healthcare staff can provide critical insights for improving the patient journey and outcomes.

In 2023, the organizers of the Healthcare Advocate Summit partnered with the Coalition of Health Care Advocacy Organizations (CHCAO) to offer the Independent Patient and Health Care Advocate focused sessions throughout the September 2024 Healthcare Advocate Summit held this year in Las Vegas, Nevada!

This event brought the independent advocate national community together in person for top-notch programming aimed at building skills and setting the tone for the future of Professional Patient and Health Care Advocacy. In addition, the Summit served as a prime opportunity to grow and spread awareness of independent advocacy and Board Certified Patient Advocates (BCPA).

Last August, my life took an unexpected turn when I was diagnosed with idiopathic ulcerative laryngitis. As someone who relies on their voice for both personal and professional communication, losing it felt like losing a part of my identity. My voice is not just a tool; it's an essential part of how I connect, advocate, and educate. From working with clients one-on-one to giving talks and presentations, my voice is integral to everything I do as an Independent Board-Certified Patient Advocate, Certified Senior Advisor®, and Solo Aging Advocate.

As young adults embark on new adventures—whether heading off to college, starting a new job, or moving away from home—it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and overlook some crucial preparations.

If one does an internet search for "18-year-old checklist," you'll find a long list of exciting things young adults can do once they turn 18—like voting, signing contracts, and getting a credit card. However, a crucial item often missing from these lists is ensuring they have documents in place to protect their health and well-being. Without a HIPAA release, health care proxy, alternate proxy, and personal directive, young adults and their families / support team members may face significant challenges in emergencies. It's a small effort that can make a significant difference in times of need.