Get Clarity on Elder Care Advocacy in Washington DC Metro

Advocacy can be valuable any time you’re managing health changes, difficult care decisions, or family uncertainty. If your loved one’s needs are increasing or if their situation suddenly shifts, it’s often helpful to bring in outside guidance.

We also support families trying to plan ahead, navigate benefits, or clarify complex diagnoses. The earlier you reach out, the more options you often have. You don’t have to wait until things feel urgent.

No, these services are not covered by insurance. However, our model is built for affordability, with transparent pricing and flexible support levels. The insights we provide often prevent missteps that can cost families far more in the long run.

Our goal is to offer peace of mind without adding to your stress. You’ll always know the cost before committing to any service.

A strong advocate combines formal training with real-world experience. Look for someone with a credential like BCPA, a background in healthcare systems, and a collaborative approach to working with families. The right advocate will help you feel heard, respected, and informed.

At The Elder Care Advocate, every client works directly with Nadene Bradburn, who brings over 25 years of healthcare leadership and a deeply personal commitment to helping families.

We begin with a flat-fee comprehensive assessment and strategy report. This service provides a full review of your loved one’s situation and a plan for next steps. After that, additional support—like billing advocacy or care planning—is available through flat-rate or hourly services.

With The Elder Care Advocate services, you’re never locked into anything, and you’ll receive a clear scope before choosing to proceed. We work hard to be flexible, transparent, and respectful of every client’s budget.

Yes. When staying at home is the preferred choice, we will review your situation, help determine if it’s the best option for your loved one, and guide you on how to make it work. Our long-term care planning services can include connecting families with in-home care providers, suggesting home modifications, and assisting with Medicaid waiver programs and nonprofit support.

We’ll help you understand what services are available and what resources can make home care more sustainable. Aging in place safely requires planning, and that’s what we’re here for.

No, we are not medical providers. We do, however, help families navigate the healthcare system by preparing for appointments, interpreting records, and ensuring care aligns with your loved one’s goals.

We can also collaborate with providers and flag concerns that may require follow-up. Our role is to organize the full picture and give families the confidence to make informed decisions with their clinical team.

The elder care assessment and strategy report is our foundational service. The assessment brings together medical, legal, financial, and family factors into one clear report. We identify gaps, risks, and needs, then provide a custom strategy to guide your next steps.

This service is particularly helpful for families managing complex care or facing difficult decisions. Many use the report as a roadmap for coordinating services or planning for transitions over time.

All assessments and strategy reports are personally completed by Nadene Bradburn, BCPA. With over 25 years of experience in healthcare leadership and program development, Nadene brings both clinical insight and deep knowledge of elder care systems. She works directly with each client to ensure that the strategy reflects their values, needs, and goals.

Her approach is respectful, thorough, and focused on empowering families with clarity and direction. With The Elder Care Advocate, you’ll always work with someone who understands the nuances of complex care decisions.

After your report is finalized, we’ll walk through it together so you fully understand the recommendations. From there, you may choose to engage in follow-up support such as help with medical decisions, placement guidance, patient rights protection, or insurance advocacy.

These services are entirely optional and billed either at a flat rate or hourly, depending on your needs. You’re never locked into a long-term commitment or pressured to add services. The goal is to provide the right level of support at the right time.

Yes. Once your loved one’s records are reviewed and organized, we help identify which questions remain unanswered and which areas need clarity. We can also suggest what to ask during the second opinion visit and ensure you’re prepared with documentation.

If you need help choosing a specialist, we’ll guide you through the process based on your loved one’s condition and location. Our role is to make sure you’re confident walking into that appointment with the information you need. Clear, thorough preparation can make second opinions far more useful.

It’s common for documentation to be incomplete, especially after hospital stays or specialist visits. If we discover gaps during a medical records analysis, we follow up directly with the provider to request missing records.

We also cross-check what we receive to ensure nothing essential is overlooked. These follow-ups help create a more complete picture of your loved one’s care history. Once everything is in place, we organize it in a way that’s easy to understand and useful for future planning.

The medical records review process begins with retrieving records from hospitals, clinics, and providers. Then we sort and organize everything to create a clear timeline of care. We highlight major diagnoses, treatments, medication changes, and any red flags that may affect future decisions.

If we find inconsistencies or issues, we include them in your report. The end result is a comprehensive, easy-to-understand resource that helps you advocate for the best care possible.

To appeal an insurance claim, we begin by reviewing your loved one’s denial letter and explanation of benefits. Then we gather supporting documents, clarify any coding issues, and prepare a detailed appeal package. We’ll submit the appeal and follow up with the insurer to make sure it’s reviewed appropriately.

Throughout the process, we keep you informed and involved, but handle the legwork on your behalf. Appeals are time-sensitive, and our goal is to resolve them efficiently and thoroughly.

Yes, we can help families navigate Medicare. We assess your loved one’s current needs, provider relationships, and budget to compare Medicare Advantage, Original Medicare, and supplemental plans. We help you understand the trade-offs between options so you can choose coverage that supports both short- and long-term goals.

If you’ve already enrolled and need help navigating changes, we’re happy to assist there too. Choosing the right plan early on can prevent coverage gaps or costly surprises later. Our guidance is objective and tailored to your unique situation.

We help families prepare and submit Medicaid applications, including gathering financial records, completing required forms, and tracking deadlines. We also respond to follow-up requests and assist with appeals if the application is denied.

This process can be overwhelming without support, especially if your loved one is already in a care setting. Our goal is to help you move through it with confidence, accuracy, and peace of mind. We take care of the logistics so you can focus on your loved one’s well-being.

For long-term care planning, we start by learning your loved one’s health needs, preferences, and available support. Then, we walk through the differences in cost, staffing, and services between staying at home with support versus moving to a facility.

Together, we explore which options best align with your values and resources. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, and our role is to help you make an informed decision and provide a clear view of what each choice entails in practice.

Yes. We guide families through the decision-making process, focusing on safety, care needs, emotional readiness, and financial implications. If a move is appropriate, we’ll help identify facility options and compare their pros and cons. We’ll also discuss timing, transition support, and coordination with the facility.

Every recommendation is based on your loved one’s needs, never influenced by outside affiliations. The process is collaborative and focused on what works for your family.

Once your care assessment is complete, we can assist with long-term planning, which includes evaluating care options, funding sources, and placement strategy. We help organize paperwork, identify timing for transitions, and prepare you for conversations with providers or family.

These services are billed as flat fees, so you know the cost upfront. You can decide how involved you’d like us to be—we’re here to support your goals, not dictate them. Every service is flexible and customized to your situation.

If you notice changes like withdrawal, confusion, weight loss, poor hygiene, or delayed responses to medical needs, something may be wrong. Repeated hospitalizations or sudden changes in mood can also be signs of unmet care.

Advocates step in to assess the situation, communicate concerns, and explore next steps. We offer an objective outside view and guide you through the proper channels if formal action is needed. Our focus is always on protecting your loved one’s well-being and dignity.

Yes. With your consent, we can speak directly with staff, participate in care planning meetings, and help raise concerns through appropriate channels. Our role is to resolve issues collaboratively when possible and escalate only when needed.

We bring structure to emotional conversations and ensure nothing is overlooked. Facilities often respond more thoroughly when an experienced advocate is involved. You stay informed while we handle the logistics and communication.

If you’ve filed a complaint and received no follow-up, we’ll review what was submitted, identify gaps, and help revise or escalate your concerns. We also assist with formal reporting to state agencies or ombudsman programs when necessary.

Having a knowledgeable advocate involved can shift the response and lead to real solutions. You won’t have to push forward alone.