Tracie Bearden, MS, CCC-SLP, CBIST, presents a practical, systems-focused approach to patient and caregiver advocacy for medical speech-language pathologists working with individuals with brain injury. This course centers on the real-world complexity of hospital discharge, including caregiver readiness, safe transitions of care, community-based supports, and strategies to reduce avoidable readmissions.
You will examine how caregiver designation and training expectations intersect with hospital practice, and how to proactively address gaps that place patients at risk after discharge. Through concrete examples and structured tools, you will learn how to coach caregivers using clear, repeatable scripts and how to partner effectively with case management and interdisciplinary teams to secure supports such as HCBS waivers and community transition programs.
The course connects day-to-day advocacy actions to federal patient rights requirements and evidence-based stroke rehabilitation guidance, while acknowledging the variability that exists across states. You will leave with a clear framework for quickly locating accurate, state-specific resources and for integrating advocacy into your clinical workflow to support safer discharges, stronger caregiver preparation, and improved continuity of care.
You will examine how caregiver designation and training expectations intersect with hospital practice, and how to proactively address gaps that place patients at risk after discharge. Through concrete examples and structured tools, you will learn how to coach caregivers using clear, repeatable scripts and how to partner effectively with case management and interdisciplinary teams to secure supports such as HCBS waivers and community transition programs.
The course connects day-to-day advocacy actions to federal patient rights requirements and evidence-based stroke rehabilitation guidance, while acknowledging the variability that exists across states. You will leave with a clear framework for quickly locating accurate, state-specific resources and for integrating advocacy into your clinical workflow to support safer discharges, stronger caregiver preparation, and improved continuity of care.
