Arizona Senior Law

What: Bowl for Brain Injury Event

 Where: Glendale Mesa Scottsdale – Three Valley Locations Simultaneously…

SCOTTSDALE

Brunswick Via Linda Lanes

9027 East Via Linda

Scottsdale, AZ 85258

(Via Linda and 90th Street)

MESA

Brunswick Zone

1754 W. Southern Avenue Mesa, AZ 85202

(Southern Avenue and Dobson Rd)

GLENDALE

Brunswick Zone

17210 North 59th Avenue

Glendale, AZ 85308

(59th Avenue and Bell Road)

 When: Saturday, September 25, 2010

11:30 am – 2:00 pm

 Why: Raise money for a special cause, while having a great time with friends and family. Corporate Sponsors will demonstrate their commitment and compassion for individuals in Arizona who are living with brain injuries, as well as provide programs that support their families and caregivers.

Brain Injury Association of Arizona

777 East Missouri Ave., Suite 101 Phoenix, Arizona 85014

 Register at: www.bowlforbrain.org

For additional information: (602) 508-8024 or bowl@biaaz.org

Tags: Bowl for Brain Injury, Brain Injury, Brain Injury Association of Arizona

Did you know that there are special residential settings for those with a Dementia?  Times are hard enough when you are faced with the realization that your loved one needs more care then you add the pressure of finding a setting that has availability, in close proximity to you, which you can afford and that understands mom’s sun downing.  Memory Care is available in both the assisted living and nursing home care settings.  As a social worker myself, I have visited multiple Memory Care communities.  I am comforted in the fact that all the staff have been trained and receive continued education on the many things that make this disease unique. Wandering, aggression, disruptive and resistiveness can all be symptoms of this disease.  Memory Care staff will be able to address the issue from a “redirect don’t correct” standpoint.  Its okay that “Jim” thinks its Saturday and he needs to get ready for work.  Memory Care staff may assist “Jim” in picking out his work gear and prepare his sack lunch for the day.  The mere fact that “Jim” was not corrected on the day and reminded that he is retired adds quality to his life.  There comes a time when it is more effective for us to join their reality.   

So don’t forget to include in your search those communities that offer Memory Care.  And don’t forget to explore other possible payer sources such as Arizona Long Term Care (ALTCS).  If your loved one is financially and medically approved for ATLCS a portion of their room and board can be covered by the program.  For more information on Memory Care options and ALTCS please call JacksonWhite toll free at 1-800-243-1160 and ask to speak with one of our Elder Care Coordinators.

Tags: ALTCS, Arizona Long Term Care System, Assisted Living, Elder Care Coordinator, Family & Caregiver, Long-Term Care, Social Workers

Often when people call me to ask questions about ALTCS, they already have a preconceived notion about the rules. Maybe they have spoken to a neighbor, financial planner or a person who had already gone through the process-  although the person being very well meaning, probably told them the rules as they saw them and how the rules impacted the person they were applying for.   But they may not be the rules that apply to your situation!

Remember that each case is different… all of the variables in the persons history; medical condition and financial, needs to be evaluated prior to application.   

Is the person married or single?  This plays a huge difference in the rules.  Before you proceed with the ALTCS application, it is best to complete a prescreen to evaluate how the rules affect your case.   We can do a FREE pre-screen over the phone or you can check out the newest way to be guided through the ALTCS applicaiton- www. myaltcs.com!

We are pleased to continue to be a resource for you!

There are many questions when it comes to Health Care reform.  Here are some ways it will affect those that are currently on Medicare:

1. Your guaranteed Medicare benefits are protected and benefits will be improved.

2. Out of pocket costs for prescription drugs needed to stay healthy will be lowered due to Medicare changes. The “doughnut hole,” is expected to disappear completely by 2020.

3. There will be expanded coverage for wellness and preventive care such as mammograms and other screenings for cancer and diabetes.  These services will be free of charge.

For more information about the New Health Care Law and how it affects you or others, check out www.aarp.org/getthefacts

Did you know that individuals 55 and older are the fastest growing population of homeless?  One answer for homeless seniors in the Phoenix area is the Justa Center.  The Justa Center is a day resource center designed to help those over the age of 55 find housing, employment, and other needed services.  The staff and volunteers are there to reassure, assist, and problem solve with the homeless individual until he or she is able to be self sufficient.  The Justa Center is not a shelter, but a place where seniors can find the resources they need to get back on track.  About 100 seniors a day seek help at the Justa Center and since it opened in 2006, it has helped approximately one person a day get out of homelessness. 

If you know someone who could benefit from this service, or for more information please contact Scott Ritchey.

1001 W. Jefferson Phoenix, AZ 85007

602-254-6524

saritchey@hotmail.com

www.justacenter.org

Older Americans are one of the most vulnerable and targeted segment of the population for fraud and financial exploitation.  Why are they susceptible?  They are more often going to be home to answer the phone or the door and many Older Americans may be more trusting to a friendly pitch.  Unfortunately by the time the Older American realizes that that he or she has been scammed, the damage may be beyond repair.  It is important that they are protected and that we all try and prevent this type of abuse.  The most common scams toward seniors are:

1. Foreign Lotteries

2. Home Repair or Improvement Scams

3. Telemarketing Schemes

4. Phishing

5. Phony Charities

6. Investment or Healthcare Scams

To find out more about these scams and how to protect yourself or someone you love, please contact the Arizona Better Business Bureau.

Phone: 602-264-1721 or arizonabbb.org

The mental health power of attorney is perhaps the least known document of the advanced directives. However, it is incredibly important for Arizonans to have. As with health care and financial powers of attorney, this document is critical for all of us regardless of age or present health condition.

If you were ever to require hospitalization in a Level 1 behavioral health facility, it is imperative that you have a mental health power of attorney in place. One does not have to have a history of mental illness to be at risk for hospitalization in a behavioral health facility. Treatment can be needed for something as simple as a medication interaction affecting mood or behavior.  Behavioral issues are also commonly related to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

If inpatient behavioral health treatment is required, the patient is unable or unwilling to accept treatment, and there is no mental health power of attorney, then there is no alternative other than to pursue emergency guardianship. A regular health care power of attorney does not have the authority in Arizona to make decisions related to mental health. The same is true of a surrogate decision-maker, which is the person health care professionals look to based upon a hierarchy of familial relationships to make decisions for a patient who has not executed a power of attorney document.

You can download a free mental health power of attorney form along with all of the other advanced directives right off of this website at www.arizonaseniorlaw.com.

Many of you have received a notice from CMS highlighting some of the changes that will occur due to the Affordable Care Act that was recently passed by Congress and signed by President Obama.   Better access to primary and chronic care, improved long term care choices and more affordable options in prescription drug plans are just some of the new changes.  For more information on benefits that will begin this year be on the look out for the annual Medicare and You Handbook available this fall.

Tags: Family & Caregiver, Long-Term Care, Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Part D

Clinical Advisors for Resources and Educational Services is proud to provide a 2 day workshop addressing many topics that social workers face.  It will be held on May 25th and 26th at the C.A.R.E.S office.  It is also approved for 15 CEU’s by NCIA and NASW. 

If you work in a profession that touches the lives of the elderly, disabled or chronically-ill, our seminar will enhance your ability to meet the needs of clients, their families and the ever-changing state and federal rules and regulations. The seminar will cover  topics  relating to clinical, state and federal health care regulations, compliance and the understanding of benefits.  

   Topics include:

¨ Role of the Social Worker
¨ MDS, RAPs and Care Planning
¨ Documentation
¨ Behavior Management/PASRR
¨ Benefits and Financial Planning
¨ Case Management/Discharge Planning
¨ Advance Directives
¨ Psychosocial Assessments 

If you are interested in finding out more about this wonderful educational opportunity,  please feel free to call or email the following:

Office: 602-466-3461 / 800-326-7176  
Fax: 888-296-9229
Email: angelapage@clinicaladvisorsllc.com

The Alzheimer’s Association is “On the Move” once again to end Alzheimer’s Disease.  There are five walks throughout Arizona coming up this fall.  Please save the date for the walk nearest you. The corresponding websites make registration quick and simple and will also provide you with further details regarding the walk in your area.

Prescott – Saturday, October 2^nd– PrescottMemoryWalk.org

West Valley – Saturday, October 23^rd– WestValleyMemoryWalk.org

Verde Valley – Saturday October 30^th– VerdeValleyMemoryWalk.org

Tucson – Saturday, November 6^th– TucsonMemoryWalk.org

Phoenix – Saturday, November 13^th– PhoenixMemoryWalk.org

It is never too early to form a team to begin fundraising for this great cause. The money you raise with your team will help support programs and services for people in our own communities. Examples of these programs include: the 24 hour helpline, education programs, family care consultation, support groups, MedicAlert and Safe Return, research, and advocacy.

Be part of the “fun” in fundraising and form your team today!