7 Things to Know About Advance Directives for Your Patients

If youve been injured in a car accident, you may try to handle the insurance claim yourself. This makes perfect sense if your injuries are not severe or your medical treatment is minimal. However, what often happens is that the adjuster will ask you to sign a medical release, handing over your medical records to the insurance company. Is this a smart idea? When considering whether to send a medical release to an insurance adjuster following a car accident, there are several key factors to consider. This decision can significantly impact your insurance claim and potential settlement. Heres a breakdown of the considerations:Understanding Medical Release FormsYour medical information is protected by a federal privacy law called HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was signed in 1996 and prevents people or agencies from accessing your personal medical information without your permission. The permission slip for medical records is called a release or sometimes just referred to as the HIPAA Authorization. When you sign one of these, you are stating (1) Who can request medical information; (2) What information they can request; and (3) When the permission expires.In a car accident setting, insurance adjusters need your medical information to evaluate your claim. The medical records and bills are how you prove what your injuries were and how severe your injuries were. The adjuster cannot make a settlement offer without the medical records and bills in the file. However, there are limitations that should be put in place to ensure the adjuster doesnt access more than they are entitled to. If you dont want to provide a medical release, you can request your records and bills yourself and send them to the adjuster. This is preferred in order to maintain privacy.Pros of Providing a Medical ReleaseIt can speed up the claim process, as the adjuster gets direct access to necessary medical information. Tracking down your own medical records takes time. Odds are you have already spent a good amount of time going to medical appointments, getting your car fixed, and sitting on hold with the insurance. Spending even more time calling doctors for records can cause you more stress and drag out your claim. If your treatment was simple or you dont have significant health issues outside of your injuries, signing the release might make more sense.Cons of Providing a Medical ReleaseThe biggest downside of signing a release is the loss of privacy. If you dont read them carefully, these forms can sometimes give insurers access to your entire medical history, not just records related to the accident. The adjuster is only entitled to information related to your injuries not your entire history. Often the adjusters will send blank forms for you to sign, which allows them to fill in the blanks for any provider they choose. If you do sign a release, make sure it is very specific set out the particular provider, date range, and expiration date.Theres a risk that the insurance company may use your past medical history to argue that your current injuries are not related to the accident. If you have medical history that might open yourself up to this kind of response from an adjuster, its best to talk with a lawyer about how to handle your claim.Important ConsiderationsBefore signing any release, its advisable to consult with a personal injury attorney. Attorneys have experience in the many excuses insurance adjusters make. We know what kinds of questions to ask and how to anticipate possible problems down the road. Unless your treatment is very simple, talk with an attorney before signing anything from the insurance company.You can provide a release that is limited in scope, focusing only on records related to the accident. This is all the adjuster is entitled to. If they try to convince you otherwise, you should involve an attorney. Theres a good chance the insurance company is trying to take advantage of you if this happens. Know that you are not obligated to immediately provide a release; you can take time to understand its implications. You have 3 years to settle your claim or file a lawsuit. Its ok to take some time to carefully read the documents or talk with an attorney.The Role of Insurance AdjustersRemember, insurance adjusters work for the insurance company and their primary aim is to minimize the companys payout. They can and will use everything they can against you. Thats where a personal injury attorney can help you have someone on your side who understands how the insurance game is played.Alternatives to Full ReleaseInstead of a full release, you might consider providing specific documents that are relevant to the accident. Or you can request the records and bills from the doctor yourself. Since theyre your medical records, you are entitled to them. No doctor or hospital can say that you cant have your medical records.If your case involves psychological injuries and you treated with a therapist, a summary or letter from your doctor regarding the accident-related injuries can be a compromise. You are not legally obligated to provide complete mental health records in order to pursue a claim for psychological injuries.ConclusionDeciding whether to provide a medical release to an insurance adjuster after a car accident is a nuanced decision. Balancing the need for a prompt and fair settlement with the protection of your privacy and rights is key. Always consider consulting with a legal professional to guide you through this process and help you make the best decision for your situation. If you have been injured in a car accident and need help, consultations are free. Call us at 720-500-2076 any time. 

Why Senior Move Management Makes Life Transitions Easier by A Call to Order Professional OrganizersSupporting Seniors with Care, Compassion, and ClarityLife ChangesWe Help Carry the Emotional WeightEvery home holds a lifetime of memoriesbirthdays celebrated in the kitchen, quiet mornings on the porch, the smell of favorite meals cooked with love. So when its time to move, especially for a senior, its never just about boxes and furnitureits about letting go, starting again, and doing so with dignity.At A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we understand the deep emotional layers of senior relocations. Whether you're moving a parent into assisted living or helping a loved one downsize, the process can feel overwhelmingfor everyone involved. That's where Senior Move Management becomes not just helpful, but essential.Senior move managers aren't just organizers. We're listeners, planners, advocates, and compassionate companions in what is often one of life's most emotional transitions. And for families navigating this journey, having that steady, understanding hand can make all the difference.How Senior Move Management Brings Peace to the ProcessBecause no one should feel rushed, lost, or alone during a move.Relocating later in life often comes with a swirl of emotionsgrief, uncertainty, fear of change. Add to that the physical strain and countless decisions that come with moving, and its easy to see how overwhelming it becomes. But with professional senior move support, what once felt unmanageable becomes a guided, step-by-step process grounded in care.Heres how we help make life transitions easier:1. A Clear Plan Reduces OverwhelmInstead of facing an entire house full of decades-worth of belongings, we break the process down into manageable steps. From sorting and downsizing to coordinating moving logistics and setting up the new home, everything is planned and paced for comfort and clarity.2. Emotional Support Is Just as Important as the Task ListOur team doesnt just focus on what needs to go wherewe focus on how it feels. We understand that parting with familiar items and leaving a long-time home can be heart-wrenching. We honor those feelings, allow space for them, and help families navigate them with kindness.3. We Make the New Space Feel Like HomeIts not just about moving thingsits about creating a safe, welcoming, and familiar environment in the new home. We recreate setups where possible, hang favorite artwork, place treasured items in view, and make sure the first day in the new space feels comforting and reassuring.Tips for Families Navigating a Senior MoveCompassion is the most important box to pack.Whether you're local or coordinating from afar, here are a few gentle ways to support a senior loved one through a move:1. Start Early and Go SlowGive the process time. Beginning conversations early allows room for thoughtful decision-making and minimizes last-minute stress. Rushing can lead to regret. Early planning is one of the most powerful tools for reducing anxiety.2. Honor Their StoryWhen sorting through belongings, listen to the stories behind the items. You might be surprised how healing it can be to reminisce. Ask questions like, Tell me about this photo or Who gave you this? Sometimes, being heard is just as important as being helped.3. Bring in a Neutral, Professional PartnerAs much as family means well, emotions can run high. A Senior Move Manager acts as a neutral guide, keeping the process organized and respectful while reducing tension between family members. We help keep the focus on what mattersa peaceful, positive transition.4. Focus on Whats Being GainedInstead of focusing only on whats being left behind, talk about whats ahead: a simpler space, closer community, more safety, or better access to care. Reframing the move as a new chapter helps ease the emotional weight.A Move with MeaningAt A Call to Order Professional Organizer, we know that a move is never just a move. Its a moment of transformation, one that deserves tenderness, understanding, and a team who truly cares.Thats why Senior Move Management is more than a serviceits a lifeline. We take on the physical burden, yes, but more importantly, we walk beside seniors and their families with warmth and respect, ensuring that no one ever has to face change alone.If you or a loved one is approaching a move and feeling overwhelmed, please know this: help is here, and it comes with a heart. Call us at 719-231-5425 or visit www.acalltoorderco.com to schedule a free consultation.Because making life transitions easierthats what were here for.FOLLOW US and stay inspired as you simplify and transition with love: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acalltoorderco/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ACalltoOrder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/acalltoorderco/

As we grow older, many daily activities that were once simple can become more difficult, including preparing healthy meals. For seniors, proper nutrition is essential to maintain energy, supporting the immune system, managing chronic conditions, and staying independent. Thats why meal preparation isnt just a convenience, its a lifeline.Key Benefits of Meal Preparation for Seniors1. Ensures Balanced, Nutritious MealsHaving meals prepared in advance ensures that seniors are eating regularly and get the essential nutrients their bodies need. It prevents reliance on unhealthy processed foods or skipping meals altogether.2. Supports Chronic Condition ManagementMany seniors live with conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease. Proper meal planning allows for dietary restrictions to be met, helping control symptoms and reduce complications.3. Reduces the Risk of MalnutritionMalnutrition is a silent threat among older adults, especially those living alone. Meal preparation helps safeguard against this by promoting consistent, nourishing eating habits.4. Promotes Independence and DignitySeniors who struggle with cooking may feel frustrated or dependent. Having meals planned and readywhether through caregiver support or meal delivery servicesallows them to eat well without feeling like a burden.5. Encourages Social EngagementWhen meal prep includes shared cooking or mealtimes, it creates opportunities for connection. Eating with a companion improves mood, reduces loneliness, and often encourages better eating habits.6. Saves Energy and Prevents AccidentsShopping, standing at the stove, lifting pots, or cutting ingredients can be physically taxing and even dangerous. Meal preparation helps minimize fatigue and reduces the risk of falls or burns in the kitchen. Meal Preparation OptionsThere are several ways to incorporate meal prep into a seniors routine: Family or caregiver assistance for shopping, cooking, and portioning meals Meal delivery services that offer senior-friendly, diet-conscious options Community programs such as Meals on Wheels Group cooking sessions at senior centers that combine nutrition with social interaction Freezer meal prepping once a week or month to ensure ready-made meals are always available Meal preparation is about more than just food, its about health, safety, and quality of life. For seniors, having access to nutritious, well-planned meals means more energy, better health, fewer hospital visits, and the ability to stay independent longer.