Updates - The Aging Advocate

The Obstacles of Moving

January 9, 2018
Rebecca Hampton
A Deeper Look

Overcoming the Obstacles You have finally made the decision that it's time to move. Yours or your loved one's care needs are more than can be handled at home. Or maybe the idea of not having to do yard work or cook anymore is very appealing. You have found just the right place and you are ready. But how much of your furniture will fit in the new apartment? Who will help you move? What about all the rest of your belongings? These obstacles are often one of the main reasons people delay downsizing or moving into the appropriate care setting. The answers are not always simple but there are solutions to every obstacle. Senior Movers There are companies who specialize in moving seniors from their…

Southwest Lending Closet

Who They Are The Southwest Lending Closet in the principal source for those needing to borrow durable medical equipment in the Southwest Valley. They have been a staple in their community for over 17 years and are a completely volunteer-run organization. They are a 501 (c) (3) organization and are proud to be able to say that administrative costs are less than 5% (for printing and postage) and the remaining 95% goes directly to helping their community. Funding is through both monetary and non-monetary donations, as well as city and corporation grants. They are supported by all of the Southwest cities including Avondale, Goodyear, Buckeye, Tolleson, and Litchfield Park and they have on their board from a member of each cities' City Council. Services Provided…

Long Term Care Insurance

November 1, 2017
Rebecca Hampton
A Deeper Look

What is Long-Term Care Insurance? Long-Term Care Insurance is a specific insurance policy that can be purchased to assist with the costs of Long Term Care not covered by private insurance, Medicare, or AHCCCS (Medicaid). Most long-term care insurance policies will cover In-Home Caregiving, Assisted Living, Adult Day Care, Assisted Living Homes, Skilled Nursing Facilities, Home Modifications, and Care Planning. Traditional policies will have a monthly premium that will be determined based on age, health, length of benefits, inflation rate, elimination period, and the daily benefit. With traditional policies, premiums are continual and will not be returned if unused and there is no cash value. Traditional policies will have an elimination period usually around 30-180 days once you are eligible, which is the consecutive time…

Jacki Ruiz With Elite Senior Services

Jacki Ruiz is a Senior Care Advocate with Elite Senior Services and her passion is helping her clients find the right senior living option. Jacki has spent her career in the medical field with a background in pharmaceuticals, hospital administration, hospice, and home health and has been working as a Senior Care Advocate for over 7 years. What Services are Available at Elite Senior Services? Elite Senior Services provides assistance with placement in: Independent Living Assisted Living Communities Residential Care Memory Care Skilled Nursing Facilities Continuing Care Retirement Communities In-Home Care Assistance What to Expect When Calling Elite Senior Services Jacki will travel to you to complete an initial survey to better understand your specific care needs and hear your story. She will then assess…

What to Know About Outpatient Physical Therapy

August 18, 2017
Rebecca Hampton
A Deeper Look

Brought to you by Spooner Physical Therapy Why was I referred to outpatient therapy? A patient is referred by their healthcare professional to outpatient therapy when they are in need of rehabilitation after a decline in function, long or short-term injury, or surgery. Treatment will be specifically designed to the patient's needs with the goals of preventing disability, reducing pain, and getting the patient back to their desired level of functioning. Patients most commonly referred to outpatient orthopedic physical therapy are patients with low back pain, neck pain, peripheral joint pain, inflammatory muscle conditions, athletic injuries, and postoperative care. A patient is referred to outpatient therapy when they are physically able to get to the clinic. Home Health physical therapy is used when a patient…

The Importance Of A Plan

August 14, 2017
Rebecca Hampton
A Deeper Look

Why Should I have a Plan? Most everyone has an idea of what their Golden Years will look like. You may save for retirement, make travel plans, and look forward to more time spent with loved ones. What often times isn't planned for is what happens when you can no longer drive, take care of your house, or even yourself. Have you made a plan for when taking care of the day to day things becomes a struggle? There are many complicated factors that will go into determining your potential qualify of life including your finances, health, goals, support system, and most importantly, how well you have planned. Where Do I Start? Step 1: Develop your goals Stay at home with help from family or In Home Caregiving Move to Assisted Living,…

Maui Care Home

What is an Assisted Living Home?

Assisted Living Homes (ALH) are privately owned homes that are licensed by the state where adults who need assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s) live together and share caregivers as well as common spaces. Residents can have a private or semi-private room and the number of other residents in the home depends on the license but can range from 2-10. Caregiving may be provided by the owners of the home or hired by the owners. Caregivers will always be present but may either be awake at night or asleep when the residents sleep, depending on the license and dynamics of the home. Meals are prepared by the caregivers and usually shared in a common dining room. The level of functioning of the residents varies from home to home and can range from minimal assistance to total care.

Warning Signs

January 10, 2016
Rebecca Hampton
A Deeper Look

When Is It Time to Hire a Caregiver? If you have aging loved ones who are living independently, chances are you may need to step in and offer assistance at some point. But how do you know when the timing is right and what type of help is available? This guide is provided by Homewatch Caregivers and will give you tips on warning signs to look for at your next visit to your loved one's home and what next steps you can take. What to Look For Bathroom: Expired or empty medications bottles Unused or empty toiletry containers Accumulated grime or unemptied trash Bedroom: Piles of dirty laundry Unwashed bed sheets Kitchen: Stale or expired foods Broken appliances or scorched pots and pans Instant meals only…

Crystal Littlejohn, Geriatric Care Manager with Geriatric Resources

Crystal Littlejohn MHSA, CMA, CSA, is the Principle/Certified Geriatric Care Manager with Geriatric Resources and has dedicated her entire career to working with seniors. She graduated from Plymouth State University with a Bachelor's in Psychology and from Strayer University with a Masters in Health Service Administration. She is a Certified Care Manager through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers. She started Geriatric Resources in April of 2009 with a vision that Geriatric Resources could bring valuable support to individuals and their circle of influence through compassion, individualized care, and advocacy. What Does Geriatric Resources Do? Geriatric Resources is a geriatric care management (also known as Aging Life Care Professional) company that provides a strength based approach to assisting their clients navigate through the senior health care system.…

What are Advance Directives?

October 30, 2015
Rebecca Hampton
A Deeper Look

What exactly are Advance Directives? There can be a lot of confusion surrounding Advance Directives, but they are actually very simple and easy to complete documents. They consist of: Durable Health Care Power of Attorney (Medical Power of Attorney) Durable Mental Health Power of Attorney Living Will (End of Life Care) Letter to My Agent Pre-Hospital Medical Directive (No Not Resuscitate) How do I get them? These documents are all available for free to print through the Arizona Attorney General's office and can be found here. They can be completed independently and require either a witness or notary to your signature. If additional support and education is needed, an Elder Law Attorney can assist you in understanding and completing them and you can find one in your area…