Stepping Stone Advocacy Services

02/24/2026

❔Understanding the care team helps families advocate with confidence. When your loved one enters rehab, you’re suddenly surrounded by unfamiliar roles and titles.
Each member of the care team plays a critical role in recovery, therapy progress, and discharge planning.
Knowing who to speak with — and when — can make all the difference.
That’s where a patient advocate steps in, connecting care team members together. Let us take the worry off your plate. Learn more about our patient advocacy services today by following the link in our bio to our website.

02/23/2026

The month of February we have been focusing on Transitions in Care.

Information often fails to transfer smoothly between providers and settings. What one team assumes has been communicated may not be fully understood or documented.

Read more in this latest article to learn more about how Patient Advocacy supports continuity of care

https://steppingstoneadvocacy.com/blog/why-care-transitions-are-where-families-need-the-most-support/

02/23/2026

My first pivot away from the bedside as a nurse was into home health—and I loved it.

I worked in a rural community surrounded by farms. Many of my patients lived in multi-generational homes, where family members were present, involved, and deeply committed to their loved one’s care. There was a built-in support system.

As a home health nurse case manager, I oversaw a team of home health aides who helped patients with bathing, meals, light housekeeping, and exercise programs. Medicare covered these services, and families had professional support to help them through recovery and daily care.

But times have changed.

Today, families are often spread across cities—or even across the country. The responsibility of coordinating care frequently falls on one person… or sometimes no one at all.

This is why, at Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, our educational focus this month is on Transitions in Care.

When a doctor says, “You’re going home with home health,” many families aren’t sure what that truly means…
• Who will come?
• How often?
• What services are covered?
• And what gaps might still exist?

These are important questions—and understanding the answers can make all the difference.

🎥 This week, we’ll be sharing a new educational video to help you understand exactly what to expect when home health services are ordered.

Because informed families are empowered families.

Follow our page so you don’t miss this important topic.

02/20/2026

You’re not just moving rooms — you’re meeting an entire care team. 👇
When a loved one transitions to a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) or Acute Rehab Facility (ARF), families are suddenly surrounded by new titles and unfamiliar roles.
Admission coordinators.
Case managers or social workers.
Nursing leadership and bedside staff.
Physical, occupational, and speech therapists.
Medical directors and attending providers.
Each role impacts care decisions, therapy goals, length of stay, and discharge planning.
Knowing who does what helps families ask better questions — and advocate earlier, not later.
This is part of our ongoing education on discharge planning and care transitions, because informed families make safer decisions.

02/11/2026

Assisted living contracts often use language that sounds simple—but has real cost implications.

Here are three phrases we regularly help families translate during transitions of care:

“As needed”
This means care is provided when staff determine it’s necessary—not always on a set schedule. Over time, occasional help can become routine, and routine care is often used to justify higher care levels.

“Point system”
Many communities assign points to daily tasks like bathing, dressing, mobility, medication reminders, or cognitive cueing. The total number of points determines the care tier—and the monthly rate. Small changes can move someone into a higher level without families realizing it.

“Level change”
A level change occurs when the facility determines your parent needs more support. That decision usually leads to a pricing increase. It can be triggered by falls, illness, increased cueing, or even short-term changes that don’t fully resolve.

These phrases aren’t red flags—but they do need clarification.

Ask for definitions in plain language.

Ask how often reassessments happen.

Ask how and when families are notified of changes.

Predictability protects both your parent’s care and your peace of mind.

If you’re navigating an assisted living transition and want help understanding care agreements before surprises happen, we’re here.

02/09/2026

Most patient advocacy companies operate on a concierge model. This allows advocates to step in quickly—but it doesn’t eliminate the systemic barriers caused by insurance denials, communication breakdowns, or billing errors.

Families often assume that once they “have an advocate,” those issues are automatically resolved. In reality, insurance and billing challenges require specialized expertise, fast action, and collaboration between multiple professionals.

Without that team-based approach, families can remain caught in a cycle of crisis, confusion, and unexpected costs. Learn more about how we assist families stuck in the middle!

02/07/2026

A recent phone call reminded us why patient advocacy matters—especially before a crisis occurs.

An older adult reached out to Stepping Stone Advocacy Services after attending a patient advocacy presentation three years ago.

This person had kept our brochure all this time, knowing that one day they might want support.

They remembered an important message from that talk:
planning before a crisis creates options, confidence, and peace of mind.

This is the heart of what we do.

At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we work with individuals and families to create customized, proactive advocacy plans that support health, independence, and informed decision-making—before challenges become overwhelming.

This call was also a powerful reminder that education and community outreach matter. The impact of patient advocacy doesn’t always show up immediately—but when it does, it can make all the difference.

If you or someone you love is thinking ahead and wants support navigating healthcare with confidence, we’re here to help.

💙 Planning early is one of the greatest acts of self-advocacy.

www.steppingstoneadvocacy.com

Professional patient advocates assist clients by working with members of a client's care team to ensure that care is planned and coordinated in such a way to maximize clinical outcomes. Patient advocates are generally licensed medical professionals such as Registered Nurses, licensed social workers,...

02/02/2026

⁉️ Families often reach out for help with one problem-

confusing medical information,

an insurance denial,

or unexpected medical bills.

What they quickly learn is this:
medical decisions affect insurance,
insurance affects billing.
Everything is connected.

That’s where a nurse patient advocate makes the difference.

At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, our Gold Service Program connects medical advocacy, insurance navigation, and billing support—so families aren’t left trying to piece it all together alone.

When healthcare is connected,
your advocacy should be too.

SteppingStoneAdvocacyServices

01/27/2026

Admitted vs. Observation Status — Why It Matters
Hospital care may look the same, but your status is not.
Being labeled “admitted” versus “observation” can directly impact:
• Insurance coverage
• Rehab or skilled nursing eligibility
• Out-of-pocket costs after discharge
Many families don’t learn this difference until bills arrive or care is delayed.
Ask early. Ask clearly:
“What is the patient’s status?”
“How does this affect discharge options and coverage?”
Understanding this one detail can help prevent surprises, delays, and unexpected costs.
📌 Knowledge is protection. Advocacy starts with asking the right questions.

01/22/2026

Hi!

My name is Lori Schellenberg and I am the founder of .

Did you know…..

Hospital discharge is one of the most vulnerable moments in a patient’s care journey.

Patients and families are often sent home with new medications, follow-up appointments, equipment needs, and complex instructions—yet little time to fully process what comes next.

When discharge planning is rushed or unclear, gaps in care, preventable complications, and readmissions can occur.

Effective discharge planning focuses on continuity of care, clear communication, and patient understanding—not just paperwork.

Patient advocates help bridge these gaps by supporting patients and families through care transitions, ensuring questions are answered and next steps are clearly defined.

If you or someone you support is navigating a hospital discharge, advocacy can make a measurable difference.

Learn more about how patient advocacy supports safer transitions of care.

www.steppingstoneadvocacy.com

01/19/2026

🌟 Living in another state but caring for an aging parent?

You’re not alone—and you don’t have to do this from a distance.

This family was based in New England while their mom lived in Florida. They needed trusted boots on the ground to attend appointments, speak up when it was hard for her to do so, and make sure everyone understood the care plan.

This is one of the most common reasons families call us. And it’s exactly why patient advocacy matters.

See the full glowing review by visiting our website at www.steppingstoneadvocacy.com

01/18/2026

Yesterday we celebrated Maureen Long’s 87th birthday 🎉
Maureen’s healthcare journey is more than a milestone—it is the reason Stepping Stone Advocacy Services exists.
Watching her navigate complex medical decisions, appointments, and transitions made one truth unmistakably clear:
patients and families need support, guidance, and a voice.
Her strength, resilience, and grace continue to inspire our mission every day—to stand beside patients, ask the right questions, and help families navigate healthcare with confidence and clarity.
Happy 87th Birthday, Maureen.
Your legacy lives on through every patient we serve. 💙