Prescription for Admission: A Caregiver's Guide to Navigating Hospital Stays, Medical Advocacy and Better Experiences in Heal

Dr. Monique Nugent
  • 5.0 (9)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

Are you struggling to care for your parents’ medical needs and find their hospital admissions end in more frustration than help? If you’re tired of managing hospital admissions alone. Dr. Nugent will guide you through each stage of a hospitalization so you can plan ahead and advocate for your parents to get the best care possible. Tune in to discover how to get the best possible care for your parents while navigating the hospital admission and discharge process. If you're ready to feel less overwhelmed during a hospitalization. Hit play on the most recent episode NOW.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 51: How To Navigate Dementia Hospitalization Without Triggering Delirium

    Are you sure hospitalization is the safest choice for someone with dementia—or could it actually increase their risk of delirium? When you're caring for someone with dementia, it’s natural to seek help when something feels wrong. But many caregivers don’t realize that hospitalization itself can trigger serious complications like delirium, deconditioning, and cognitive decline—especially when the goal was simply quick relief. In this episode, you’ll learn how to think critically about hospitalization decisions, ask the right questions, and advocate for better care options that protect your loved one’s brain health. Here’s what you’ll gain: How hospitalization can unintentionally trigger delirium in patients with dementiaThe key questions to ask before agreeing to a hospital admissionPractical alternatives to hospitalization that may better support recovery at home Listen now to make more confident, informed decisions about dementia care, hospitalization, and preventing delirium.Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

    27 min

  2. 4d ago

    #15 - Quick Tip: How To Improve Dementia Care By Fixing Circadian Rhythm & Preventing Hospital Delirium

    Are you unknowingly increasing your loved one’s risk of confusion and hospital delirium during a hospital stay? When it comes to dementia care, the hospital environment can quietly disrupt one of the brain’s most important systems: the circadian rhythm. Without natural light, consistent routines, and clear day-night cues, patients—especially those with dementia—are far more vulnerable to confusion, agitation, and delirium. In this episode, you’ll learn: How disrupted circadian rhythm directly contribute to hospital delirium in dementia patientsSimple, practical ways to strengthen dementia care routines during hospitalizationWhat to ask your medical team to protect sleep, reduce confusion, and improve recovery Tune in now to learn how small changes in circadian rhythm support can make a big difference in preventing hospital delirium and improving dementia care outcomes. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

    14 min

  3. May 27

    #14 - Quick Tip: How Summer Safety Habits Can Prevent a Hospital Stay (What Every Caregiver Needs to Know)

    Are your summer plans quietly increasing the risk of a hospital stay for your loved one? Summer brings travel, celebrations, and relaxed routines—but for every caregiver, it also introduces hidden risks that can quickly turn into an unexpected hospital stay. From missed medications to dehydration and safety oversights, small decisions can have big consequences. In this quick tip episode, you’ll learn how to stay ahead with practical summer safety strategies designed specifically for caregivers supporting loved ones. Here’s what you’ll walk away with: How to prevent a hospital stay by planning medications and medical care before travelThe most common summer safety mistakes caregivers make with diet, hydration, and routinesSimple ways to protect your loved one from injuries, confusion, and avoidable complications Tune in now to protect your loved one and enjoy a safer, stress-free summer without the disruption of a hospital stay. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

    14 min

  4. May 21

    Episode 48: A Dietitian's Tips For How Caregivers Can Be Realistic about Diet to Keep Mom & Dad Eating Well At Home

    You’ll learn how to simplify complex diet plans, adapt meals for your household, and support your loved one without burnout or frustration. What you’ll walk away with: How to transition a therapeutic diet from hospital rules to real-life routinesPractical strategies to build sustainability into everyday mealsA realistic framework for making diet changes that actually stick, using realism Tune in now to learn how to make nutrition changes that truly work—for you and your loved one. Connect with Nicholas Kelly Website: https://nicholaskellyrd.com/ Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

    32 min

  5. May 20

    #13 - Quick Tip: How Prioritizing Sleep Improves Hospital Stays for Seniors & Reduces Caregiving Stress

    Are you unknowingly putting your mental health at risk during a hospital stay—just by not protecting your sleep? Hospital stays often focus on physical recovery, but mental health can quickly decline without the right safeguards in place. If you or someone you care for has ever felt more anxious, disoriented, or overwhelmed in the hospital, this quick tip highlights what’s often missed—and how to stay ahead of it. In this episode, you’ll discover: How to protect mental health during a hospital stay by keeping medications, therapy, and support systems consistentSimple, practical ways to improve sleep in the hospital—even with constant interruptionsWhat to proactively request from providers to prevent serious mental health setbacks Tune in now to learn how small, proactive steps can protect mental health and improve sleep during any hospital stay. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

    11 min

  6. May 7

    Episode 46: How Smart Caregiving & Social Check-Ins Help Seniors Stay Safe

    What are you missing when you check in on your aging parents—and could it be putting their safety at risk? If you’re helping manage elder care from near or far, it’s easy to assume everything is fine after a quick visit or phone call. But hidden issues like poor nutrition, limited mobility, and isolation often go unnoticed—until they lead to a crisis. In this episode, you’ll learn how socialization plays a critical role in safety and overall well-being—and why simply “checking in” isn’t enough. You’ll discover: The subtle warning signs in elder care that impact safety long before a medical emergencyHow socialization directly prevents decline, isolation, and hospital visitsPractical ways to monitor and support loved ones without overwhelming them Listen now to learn how small, consistent actions can dramatically improve safety and quality of life in elder care. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Visit my website: ⁠⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠⁠ Shop & Resources: The Shop: Get the Book and other Advocacy Resources Hospital Smart Packages: Choose the perfect Hospital Smart Package for yourself Follow us on socials for daily advocacy tips: ⁠⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠⁠ ⁠⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠⁠ ⁠⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent⁠ Support the Show If you found this episode helpful, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people who need a map through the hospital maze. Prescription for Admission is a resource to help you navigate healthcare with confidence. Remember, you are your own best advocate.

    28 min

  7. May 6

    #12 - Quick Tip: How Proactive Advocating Creates Safer Hospital Stays in Elder Care

    Are you waiting too long to speak up during a hospital stay—and paying for it later? If you’re a caregiver, those first hours of a hospital stay can determine everything that follows. From sleep disruptions to dangerous nighttime confusion, small oversights early on can snowball into serious complications. Knowing what to ask for—and when—can make all the difference. In this episode, you’ll discover: How to use the “ask up front” approach to prevent delirium, poor sleep, and longer hospital staysThe specific requests caregivers should make on day one (including rooms, routines, and equipment)Why early planning helps you avoid restraints, reduce risks, and create a safer experience for your loved one Start the hospital stay on the right foot—press play to learn how asking up front can protect your loved one and give you peace of mind.

    11 min

  8. Apr 30

    Episode 44: How To Make Aging in Place Actually Work With Achievable Home Accessibility

    Are you sure your home is actually safe for aging in place—or are hidden risks making caregiving harder than it needs to be? If you or a loved one wants to remain at home, home accessibility and caregiving decisions can’t be reactive. From overlooked fall hazards to poorly planned upgrades, small missteps can lead to bigger safety issues, higher costs, and unnecessary stress—especially when mobility or cognitive decline is in the picture. In this episode, you’ll discover: How to identify the most overlooked home accessibility risks that impact aging in place and caregivingThe smartest upgrades—from simple fixes to full remodels—that improve safety without sacrificing comfortWhen aging in place is no longer the safest option—and how to make that decision with confidence Tune in to learn how to create a safer, more supportive home that makes aging in place easier and caregiving more manageable. Prescription for Admission is a podcast for Gen X and Millennial family caregivers navigating the healthcare system and medical system for loved ones living with conditions like diabetes, dementia, cancer, heart disease, and cognitive decline, helping them understand hospital care, navigate hospital stays, work effectively with doctors and specialists, organize medical records, connect with a case manager, seek a second opinion, become an effective medical advocate, and improve care coordination and discharge planning. Start here: Get your Hospital Smart resources and tools designed to help you ask the right questions, avoid common mistakes, and feel more in control: ⁠www.drmoniquenugent.com⁠ Let’s stay connected: Follow along for weekly insights, real patient stories, and behind-the-scenes guidance you won’t hear anywhere else. ⁠Instagram/@the_happiest_hospitalist⁠ ⁠Facebook/DrMoniqueNugent⁠ ⁠LinkedIn/DrMoniqueNugentMDMPH⁠ ⁠YouTube/@DrMoniqueNugent⁠ ⁠TikTok/@drmoniquenugent

    31 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Are you struggling to care for your parents’ medical needs and find their hospital admissions end in more frustration than help? If you’re tired of managing hospital admissions alone. Dr. Nugent will guide you through each stage of a hospitalization so you can plan ahead and advocate for your parents to get the best care possible. Tune in to discover how to get the best possible care for your parents while navigating the hospital admission and discharge process. If you're ready to feel less overwhelmed during a hospitalization. Hit play on the most recent episode NOW.

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