Arizona Senior Law » Social Workers

Memory Care

tgranado — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 21:30:40 +0000

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.

Why ALTCS?

jpreston — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 16:55:21 +0000

Lately, it seems that I am frequently asked by professionals that work in the health care field – “Why should someone apply for ALTCS benefits given the economy and our state’s deficit problems?” It’s a good question. If we hear that eligibility is harder, services are more difficult to ascertain, that providers are opting out of the program because of low reimbursement…it may seem the barriers are too many to overcome.

I suppose it would be great if everyone could pay privately for all of their care, or find alternative benefits, such as the Wartime Pension through the VA to help out. But, as I see it, it is important to remember that few folks can pay privately for long-term care for very long. Think of your parents or your own personal situation, if faced with a nursing home bill of over $5,000/month….How long could you pay privately? Would you need help?

Our state has devised a program that works, it covers care at the lowest level possible in the most cost effective setting. Seems like this is the right thing to do. We could be in a state that basically gives help to those only needing a nursing home at the highest cost to the state. Instead, ALTCS provides services – not 24 hour – but certainly a lot of care, in their own home with a variety of home and community based services to help keep the member in the lowest level of care possible. Then will also cover assisted living and group home care. Nursing home care is a reality for some, but our state allowing members to get care in a lower cost setting makes sense for both the state and the member.

The program contractors ( insurance companies contracted by state to provide care) are in a difficult spot, they must provide all needed care in a cost effective manner. They are stewards of the State/Federal dollars. They need to make sure there will be monies left for the next guy while at the same time keeping our members safe and well taken care of . I’d say this is a good thing. Is our system perfect? No. But since the majority of folks needing long term care…assisted living….home and community based services…do not have enough money to pay for services for any length of time, I am glad we have this safety net here in Arizona. I’m glad help is out there and I am proud that our system is working in a cost effective manner to make it work for both the state and the Arizona resident!

Social Services Toolkit

jallen — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 20:35:20 +0000

In partnership with C.A.R.E.S., JacksonWhite is pleased to announce the release of the new Social Services Toolkit. This Toolkit contains everything from power of attorney forms to cognitive assessment tools and long-term care financial documents. If you are a social worker or health care facility staff, you now have access to all the guidance you need in one easy to use binder!

Every skilled nursing facility in the state of Arizona will receive one free copy. Other health care facilities and organizations can order copies online at clinicaladvisorsllc.com. Forms and resources in the Toolkit serve as the master copies; staff can make copies of the forms as needed. Click here to learn more information and to order your Toolkit today!

SNF SW’S…..CHECK OUT THIS NEW LIST SERVE!!

jpreston — Mon, 04 May 2009 16:20:16 +0000

Thanks to Paige Hector with C.A.R.E.S – we found this great new resource for nursing facility social workers!! It’s a wonderful collection of journal articles, resources and general information about SW in the LTC setting.

http://www.uiowa.edu/~socialwk/NursingHomeResource/index.html

I got on the listserv and already am getting wonderful information from social services directors and geriatric social workers from across the nation! Great find Paige!!

Are You Ready for the ALTCS Medical PAS?

jallen — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:00:26 +0000

Before becoming eligible for the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), ALTCS applicants must undergo a Pre-Admission Screen, known as the PAS. Although applicants must meet financial requirements in addition to the PAS, the PAS determines whether the applicant is medically eligible for ALTCS. Applicants begin the PAS process by providing an assessor with personal information such as age, date of birth, living arrangements and physician information. The assessor then examines various aspects of the applicant’s health such as continence, sensory impairments, orientation, behavior, and whether the applicant requires assistance with daily activities. Based on the gathered information, ALTCS determines whether the applicant qualifies medically to receive assistance. Applicants should prepare themselves for the PAS by speaking with a discharge planner, social worker, or other health care professional familiar with ALTCS medical requirements. Such a person will have good insight about whether the applicant will qualify medically. In addition to seeking guidance from one of these professionals, applicants should describe symptoms and behaviors which occur on their worst days when speaking with the PAS assessor, as this will illustrate their need for assistance. Presuming there is a genuine need for medical assistance individuals should not have difficulty meeting ALTCS medical requirements.

If you have questions about being medically eligible for ALTCS, please contact JacksonWhite and ask to speak to one of the Elder Care Coordinators or Social Workers in the Elder Law Department.

Attention Social Workers…

jallen — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:29:06 +0000

You’re invited to participate in the first monthly social workers conference call tomorrow!

It’s your chance to stay connected with others in the social work field. While on the call, get your questions answered, network and learn about changes in issues pertinent to your line of work. Sounds great, right?! Best of all, it’s FREE.

Mark your calendars for the first Wednesday of every month at 12:30 p.m. At that time, call 1-888-482-3813 and enter 3813 as the password. The call will be facilitated by C.A.R.E.S. consultants and subject matter experts: Paige Hector LMSW, Jill Preston BSW and Kristin Burns BSW. The call will last only 45 minutes and participants can ask questions, present cases or just listen in on the discussion. Discussions are confidential and HIPPA compliant.

If you have a question that you for sure want answered, email that question by 10 a.m. the day of the call to paigehector@clinicaladvisorsllc.com.

Talk to you then!

Representative Payee

tgranado — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:00:31 +0000

Do you have a resident in your building that is not paying their share of cost? Is the resident not able to handle their own financial affairs? Did you know that you can apply to become representative payee (rep payee) for their social security payment (SS)? A rep payee can be an individual person or an organization that receives and manages the beneficiaries SS payment. This is an option that is available through your local Social Security Office. It is important that you understand their full situation prior to applying. If you feel that becoming a Rep payee is the only option it is recommended that the case be pre-screened before hand. Our outreach staff at Jackson White is available to analyze the situation prior to applying for Rep payee. There are some situations where becoming Rep payee will negatively affect other benefits. For example you DO NOT want to apply for Rep payee if the resident is on ALTCS with a Miller Trust. I hope this information is helpful and if you have any questions or are interested in a free pre-screen please call Jackson White (480) 464-1111.

Elderspeak

rwhite — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 01:04:30 +0000

Ever heard of the term “elderspeak”? Well, in short, elderspeak is speaking down to the elderly and oftentimes, not even noticing you are being condescending. A recent article in the New York Times addressed the negative implications of elderspeak which I found quite alarming.

The article showed that elderspeak takes many forms: A daughter goes out to eat with her elderly mother and the waiter only addresses the daughter. A salesperson addresses an elderly customer slowly and in loud voice. A paid caregiver routinely addresses a senior as “sweetie.” While all of these examples may appear harmless on the surface, research has shown that the effects of elderspeak on seniors can be quite detrimental. Perhaps worst of all, elderspeak can contribute to seniors having a negative self-perception, which is thought by some researchers to decrease life-expectancy by an average of 7.5 years!

As with most wide-reaching social dilemmas, the elderspeak problem won’t be resolved quickly, but we can each do something on an individual level. Our Elder Law team has found that basic common courtesies go a long way towards developing meaningful relationships no matter what the age is of the people we are serving. What have you noticed about elderspeak? What can we as a community to get rid of it?

Help with Behavioral Health

kburns — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 16:19:48 +0000

Have you ever run across someone in your personal or professional life that could have benefitted from some type of behavioral health services? If you have, you know that getting services can be pretty daunting. Well, it doesn’t have to be! Here are the names and numbers of the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (those that manage behavioral health) in the state of Arizona. If you ever have questions, just give these folks a call and they can point you in the right direction!

Northern Arizona Regional Behavioral Health Authority 1-877-923-1400 Serves Coconino, Apache, Navajo, Mohave, and Yavapai Counties

Community Partnership of Southern Arizona 1-800-771-9899 Serves Pima, Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, and Santa Cruz Counties

Magellan of AZ 1-800-564-5465 Serves Maricopa County

Cenpatico Behavioral Health of Arizona 1-866-495-6738 Serves Pinal, Gila, Yuma, and La Paz Counties

Remember, if the person is on ALTCS, contact their case manager for assistance with behavioral health issues.

“Spend Down” on What???

jpreston — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 01:03:00 +0000

When applying for ALTCS benefits, applicants are often told they need to “spend down” before they will be considered eligible. What does this mean? For a single applicant, their assets must be below $2,000 to be eligible. For the married applicant, the rules are very different but the spend down could be as much as half of the marital assets. The question we get asked frequently is “Spend Down on What?”.

Remember the rules are there to make sure the applicant spends their money on THEIR needs. The applicant can not give the money away, change the ownership of the asset or try to hide the asset. The rules exist for a reason and are clear on the intent. Spending down money on what the state considers exemptions is fine; prepaid funeral plans, house, car and care needs the applicant might have. Paying for care is always allowable. Personal items needed, clothing, depends, over the counter medications…we have even heard of folks spending down on a new television. The tip to remember is you can not give your money away. Spend down can be complicated because in some situations, you may be told that you need to spend down a certain amount but after careful legal review, it may be that you do not. Legal fees are an allowable expense…getting good legal advice before you proceed with the application might just end up being the best option before you “spend down”.