Arizona Senior Law » Uncategorized

ALTCS rules different for single applicant and married applicants

jpreston — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 16:59:54 +0000

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!

How the New Health Care Law Benefits Medicare Recipients

kburns — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:39:39 +0000

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

Justa Center

kburns — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 20:13:00 +0000

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

Scams Against Seniors

kburns — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:26:41 +0000

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 Role of the Medical Social Worker in Long Term Care

kburns — Tue, 18 May 2010 16:44:47 +0000

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

Join Us!! Northern Arizona Conference on Aging

jpreston — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:57:37 +0000

NORTHERN ARIZONA GERONTOLOGY ASSOCIATION (NAGA)

Please join us for our annual conference in beautiful Flagstaff Arizona - CELEBRATING YOUR UNIQUE SPIRIT!!!

Friday, May 7, 2010 8:30 AM – 2:00 PM

Federated Church 406 W. Aspen Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ

Cost: $20 — Make checks payable to NAGA

TOPICS THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED:

Recognizing Sadness, Anxiety & Depression in Older Adults & What We Can Do — Mary Mareck, MSW

Introduction to Tai Chi

What is Normal Aging? What is Dementia? — Dr. Marwan Sabbagh, Neurologist, Banner Health Care

Lunch provided by Simply Delicious….Raffles…..much more!

We would love to have you join us!

Registration Deadline: April 28, 2009 For information, call Meg Leander at (928) 221-1600 or the Area Agency on Aging at (928) 213-5254 or (877) 521-3500

Having a guardian or conservator appointed

rwhite — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:00:12 +0000

When people lose the capacity to provide adequate care and comfort for themselves, Arizona law allows for the appointment of a guardian or conservator. Guardians assume the responsibility of making medical and placement decisions for an incapacitated person. Conservators assume the responsibility of making financial decisions for an incapacitated person.

A court must be convinced that it is necessary to appoint a guardian or conservator before it will do so. Courts will only appoint a guardian if they believe that the proposed ward is incapacitated to the extent that he or she requires assistance with activities such as eating and dressing. Courts will only appoint a conservator if they believe that the proposed ward will squander his or her assets without assistance.

Family members or friends who believe that somebody they care about requires assistance must undergo an appointment process to seek a guardianship or conservatorship. To begin with, they must file a petition with the court and also have it served upon the proposed ward. Additionally, they must provide adequate notice to other interested parties, such as the proposed ward’s spouse and children. The court will see to it that the proposed ward has an attorney, unless the proposed ward is a minor, and a physician will evaluate the proposed ward’s mental capacity. The judge will appoint a guardian or conservator if he or she deems fit, and the entire process takes about eight weeks.

Sometimes it may be necessary to have a guardian or conservator appointed sooner than eight weeks. In emergency situations, courts will appoint a temporary guardian or conservator. Courts will only do this if they determine that it is in the proposed ward’s best interest, and the appointment will only last for a brief period of time. In order to maintain the guardianship or conservatorship, a hearing will have to take place that follows the normal procedure.

Arizona guardianship and conservatorship proceedings can become complicated. This is particularly true where they are contested and disagreements arise as to who should act as guardian or conservator. An attorney with experience handling guardianships and conservatorships is best qualified to assist with the proceedings. For a consultation with an attorney at JacksonWhite, please call (480) 464-1111 and ask speak to someone in the Elder Law department.

Happy Sappy Holidays

tgranado — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 20:36:49 +0000

The Holidays can be an overwhelming time for many. This season can bring out many emotions as we remember loved ones who have passed away. As some remember the past and the care they provided to their loved ones, others are preoccupied with their current caregiving experience. Now is the best time to remember that the caregiver needs care too. I know as a caregiver myself that tending to our own needs is often the last thing on our long list of tasks. Don’t forget to take sometime for yourself. And don’t forget to ask for help when needed.

The social service team here at Jackson White are available to assist you on your caregiving journey. Don’t hesitate to call us with your questions about long term care, placement and other support services.

Tis the season for reflection and appreciation!

Prescott – VA benefit presentation for health care professionals

jpreston — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:22:57 +0000

Please join JacksonWhite and Hospice Family Care for a presentation about an important but often misunderstood benefit for Wartime Veterans. Find out how the VA Aid and Attendance benefit can help your clients pay for needed care.

Wednesday, Dec 16th at 12:00-1:30pm

Hospice Family Care- 100 E. Sheldon Street- Prescott

RSVP to Ned Dagle, Hospice Family Care to reserve your spot. 928-541-1740

Please don’t wait….

jpreston — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 23:04:47 +0000

So many of our calls that come in for our “Free Pre-Screen” have to do with Advance Directives - or I should say – the Lack of having Advance Directives in place. Please do not wait to complete your power of attorney forms. You should have a Financial Power of Attorney, Medical Power of Attorney AND the Mental Health Power of Attorney forms done. All of these needed documents are on our website for FREE!!! Please don’t put off doing them. If you do not complete these documents and something happens to you that you are unable to make your wishes known, emergency gaurdianship can be very expensive.

The document we get asked about the most is the MENTAL HEALTH POWER OF ATTORNEY – Yes you need one!!!!! Even in rare circumstances that you may need to be admitted to a Level One behavioral health center and need psychotropic medication – this is the only way your agent can admit you. A medical Power attorney document in not enough in AZ.

Free Form…vs…..Expensive Guardianship- the choice is yours!!!