Clearwater
our services - Clearwater, FL
Your Healthcare Advocate in Clearwater, Fl – Helping Adults Navigate with Confidence and Clarity
Lori Schellenberg
My Story: A Journey of Advocacy
As I married and raised four children, I searched for opportunities to stay engaged in my career. I have consistently been creative and willing to step out of my comfort zone to challenge myself when those new opportunities arose. This led me from staff nurse, to home health nurse, to occupational health nurse, to worker’s compensation case manager, and to travel nurse as a rehabilitation liaison. Along the way, I also became a medical record clinical reviewer for a major hospital organization. With every opportunity I looked for ways to improve processes and the quality of the care that was being provided.
During this time, my parents retired and moved closer to me so they could play an active role in my children’s lives. My Mom had already had to have cardiac bypass surgery. At that time, I stepped up to provide her with support, communicate her care with my siblings and care for her post-operatively. I attended appointments to make sure she was getting appropriate care.
My Dad had many chronic health problems, including sleep apnea for which a trach was inserted; this was prior to CPAP. This cured his apnea but introduced infection after infection with multiple surgeries and complications. In addition, he eventually went into kidney failure and had to start dialysis. He fought and we advocated for a kidney transplant, despite his age and comorbidities. He never gave up. I didn’t either! Along the way, we challenged the physicians, the facilities, and the care providers, to provide better or new evolving treatments. We called for team meetings and met with CEOs, Directors of Nursing and Patient Advocates. My Mom watched and learned to advocate for him and for herself. We have become quite the team!
My Dad passed away peacefully. We had advocated to transfer him to Hospice Care, and my family was able to be with him to share his last moments, together. Today, my Mom happily lives in a Continuous Care Community in Independent Living. I advocated for her to transition to this new community.
Even though I have retired from Nursing, I bring these experiences to help patients and their families navigate the complexities of our current health care system, as a Patient Advocate.
Our Services
Supporting Patients THROUGH health care Advocacy
At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we provide professional patient advocacy for patients from 18 years old to 100 years old and beyond. Whether you’re navigating a new medical diagnosis, facing a hospital discharge, managing a chronic condition, or seeking clarity in a complex healthcare system, our experienced nurse advocates offer the guidance, compassion, and support you need.
We tailor our approach depending on the individual’s age and specific needs. While our mission remains the same—to empower patients and families—our advocacy services are personalized.
Patients often face complex health decisions, insurance barriers, or fragmented care. Our patient advocates step in as trusted professionals to help you:
- Understand diagnoses, treatment options, and prognoses
- Navigate insurance claims, denials, and appeals
- Coordinate care across doctors, specialists, and facilities
- Transition between hospital, rehab, and home safely
- Advocate for your healthcare wishes and quality of life goals
When cognitive decline, chronic illness, or aging presents new challenges, it is often the family caregivers—spouses, adult children, or loved ones—who take the lead. In these situations, we work closely with families to:
- Communicate with healthcare providers and specialists
- Interpret medical records and physician recommendations
- Coordinate geriatric care, in-home services, or facility placement
- Plan for aging in place or long-term care
- Prevent medical errors during care transitions
Our role is to protect your loved one’s dignity, independence, and values, no matter where they are in their health journey.
INTERVENTIONS
Some of our interventions include:
Medical Guidance
- Educate clients about new diagnosis & medical condition
- Coordination and care oversight for families
- Managing changes in health condition(s)
- Serve as point of contact with medical staff
Decision Support
- Discharge planning & transition of care
- Occupational Therapy Home Safety Assessments
- Selecting applicable specialists for client’s plan of care
- Coordinate transfers between facilities & providers
- Research diagnoses and secure second opinions
Recovery and Wellness
- Explore alternative treatments as indicated
- Connect clients and families with additional resources
- Encourage client participation with prescribed treatments
- Manage client stress & grief following medical events
Care Giver Support
- Enhance quality of life for clients & family
- Schedule and attend medical appointments
- Coordinate home care options based on client needs
- Identify relevant education for client & family
Medical Billing & Insurance Navigation
- Audit medical bills
- Challenge unjust denials, bills or out-of-pocket expenses
- Coordinate directly with providers and insurers
- Educate regarding insurance and claims
you don't have to navigate healthcare alone
Whether you’re a parent, caregiver, or individual managing your own health, we’re here to help. At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, our mission is to bring clarity, calm, and compassionate care coordination to what can often feel like a stressful or overwhelming healthcare journey.