The Value of Home Care by Amada Senior Care

Read THIS Before You File Your Long-Term Care Insurance Claim

Read This BEFORE You File Your Long-Term Care Insurance Claim

Submitted by: Kimberly Perkins-Akers Amada Senior Care

Many Americans purchased long-term care insurance in an effort to protect themselves from the financial risks associated with long-term care. Unfortunately, when seniors are ready to cash in on their investment, claims are often denied and they end up spending months or even years trying to convince the insurers to approve the claim. Here is what you need to know before you file a long-term insurance claim.

Is it the right time for you to file a long-term care insurance claim?

Before your file your long-term insurance claim, make sure at least one of the following scenarios applies to you.

•

You receive long-term care services and want to claim benefits.

•

You recently received long-term care services and want to claim benefits.

•

You expect to receive long-term care services within the next two weeks. If none of these scenarios apply to you, it might not be the right time to file a claim. If you are not sure, you can take advantage of Amada's complimentary long-term care advising services.

How do you qualify for long-term care insurance benefits?

Benefit triggers are the conditions that must occur before you start receiving benefits from the long-term care insurance policy. Most insurers decide when you can start receiving insurance benefits by evaluating your ability to perform certain "activities of daily living" (ADLs).

Benefits usually begin when you need assistance with two or three ADLs.

Tip: People have a tendency minimize our ailments and limitations. Unfortunately, this won't help you when filing your long-term insurance claim. When answering questions, always refer to your worst days as opposed to your best days to ensure you get the care you need.

When will your benefits be available?

Your long-term care policy has an elimination period, also known as a deductible or waiting period. An elimination period is the number of days you must receive care before your policy begins to pay benefits. Common elimination periods are 30, 60, and 90 days. Generally, the shorter your elimination period is, the higher your premium.

Get Complimentary Assistance With Long-Term Care

Long-term care insurance policies can be challenging to navigate, which is why Amada Senior Care specializes in long-term care insurance claims. A trained Amada professional can help you get the most out of your policy by helping you understand and verify your benefits. We can identify and explain the elements of your policy, including:

Elimination period o

Maximum daily benefit o

Lifetime benefit o

      Coverage

•

Assist you in completing the necessary forms to file a claim

•

Directly bill the long-term care carrier

•

Handle the responsibility of payroll taxes, benefits, scheduling, bonding, worker’s compensation, and general and professional liability insurance

Conclusion

Long-term care insurance is one of the best investments you have made for you and your family's financial security. Navigating the benefits and the claims process can be challenging and it is recommended not doing it alone. Amada Senior Care is an expert in long term care insurance  policies and claims.

Sponsor of the SPOTLIGHT Senior Services & Living Options Guide. Visit us online today and say "I saw you in SPOTLIGHT!" Call to schedule a Long Term Care Insurance Review at 480-999-5250 or visit www.AmadaSEValley.com

Facing the Unknown After Discharge

 

Facing the Unknown After Discharge

Submitted by Kimberly Perkins-Akers, Amada Senior Care

Anne left their breakfast table to get George’s cane from the living room when she caught her foot on the rug and fell on the tile floor, breaking her hip. Luckily George was there to call for help. The next week was a whirlwind for George and Anne; ambulance ride, hip replacement surgery and begin the rehabilitation and recovery process.  

When Anne was well enough to go home, doctors instructed she would need physical therapy, medication, a wheelchair, check-ups and constant monitoring to continue her recovery.

Senior citizen families and patients like George and Anne persevere through illness or injury only to find themselves facing the unknown after discharge. It is enough of a struggle to make it through emergencies, hospital procedures and anxiety hanging on hopes for good recovery. But after leaving the hospital, senior patients are just beginning their journey towards restored health.

What should you do when facing the unknown after discharge?

Who is Involved in Hospital Discharge?

·         Patient – The patient succumbs to illness or injury and receives treatment from the hospital. He or she has the right to discharge into any post-treatment situation, so long as they are mentally capable. The patient can also discharge themselves against medical advice. Most patients want to come to the safest and healthiest solution possible.

·         Family Member / Caregiver – George is the family member involved in this story. His role is vital to Anne’s discharge planning because he knows Anne’s needs and preferences intimately. He is also the one who will most likely manage Anne’s care after leaving the hospital.

·         Doctor / Physician – Provides a significant amount of input into the patient’s discharge planning, making recommendations for continuing the patient’s physical and mental well-being. They have the authority to finalize discharge plans, prescribe medication and order further treatment, if necessary. The doctor or physician in the hospital is usually not the patient’s family physician; therefore, relaying accurate information between the two is critical.

·         Nurse – While a patient is in the hospital, multiple nurses take care at all times of the day. Observations are made of mental status, stamina, ability and willingness to follow directions. These observations are communicated to the discharge planner.

·         Discharge Planner – The hospital discharge planner is usually a nurse or social worker. It is their job to coordinate what happens during and after discharge. They also advocate for both the hospital and the patient. They juggle factors like cost-effective insurance coverage, doctors’ orders and patient preferences to plan the best follow-up care after hospital treatment.

Before Discharge

Spouses, siblings, children or caregivers have necessary input when it comes to the care of elderly loved ones. It is essential that all people involved are on the same page when planning what to do when a loved one is in the hospital. The patient, family members and caregivers should be informed enough to plan for the length and depth of hospital treatment and coverage of outpatient care. The patient’s needs and preferences, who they are comfortable receiving care from, where they are safe and how they will continue to function must be communicated.

Helping the Discharge Planner Help You

The discharge planner wears several hats, balancing what is cost-effective for the hospital with the patient’s wishes and wellbeing. They have established relationships with community agencies outside the hospital, such as rehabilitation centers, nursing facilities, hospices and home health companies.

One issue for discharge planners is the dilemma patients face if their insurance no longer covers hospital treatment, but they need more care. The discharge planner does their best to secure a fluid transition from hospital to home so that recovering patients do not have to be readmitted to the hospital. When discharge planners ask questions, be honest and request anything you need. The more a discharge planner knows about all aspects involved in your in-home recovery, the better. It is the discharge planner’s job to consider your needs and preferences to secure the services necessary for full recovery.

After Discharge

The discharge planner coordinates all the needed services, round-the-clock caregivers, physical therapists, nurses and specialist to visit the patient.

Being transparent about your needs and preferences, the discharge planner can work with you to find the best solution to grow stronger and recover from your illness or injury without being re-admitted to the hospital.

Amada Senior Care offers three types of services for seniors and their families including in-home private care, senior housing advisement, and financial care coordination with long-term care insurance or Veterans’ aid. Call Amada Senior Care at 480-999-5250 or visit www.AmadaMesa.com.

Contributing Author:  Michelle Mendoza

Spotlight Senior Services Sponsor

 Visit us online today and say "I saw you in SPOTLIGHT!" 

http://www.amadaphoenix.com

Encompass Health Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital Patient Satisfaction and Employee Engagement Recognition Award

Encompass Health Media Contact:

Diane Hendrix | 623 878-8800

diane.hendrix@encompasshealth.com 

Encompass Health Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital receives awards for outstanding patient satisfaction and employee engagement

GLENDALE, Ariz., Oct. 16, 2018 – Encompass Health Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital was recognized for the Outstanding Performance in Patient Satisfaction Award and the Outstanding Performance in Employee Engagement Award during Encompass Health’s Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet held Oct. 5, in Orlando, Florida.

Encompass Health Valley of the Sun is one of only eight hospitals in Encompass Health’s nationwide network of 130 inpatient rehabilitation hospitals to receive the Outstanding Performance in Patient Satisfaction Award. This distinction recognizes the hospital’s high-scoring patient satisfaction scores from the past year.

The Outstanding Performance in Employee Engagement Award recognizes the hospital’s consistent strides in creating a culture that keeps employees involved in the hospital and its mission of providing superior care to its patients. Encompass Health Valley of the Sun was one of three hospitals to receive this honor.

“We are honored to be selected for the Outstanding Performance in Patient Satisfaction Award. We constantly strive to provide our patients with nothing but our very best. To know that we’re in the top four percent in our network’s patient experiences is so encouraging to our team, and solidifies why we work so hard every day,” said Beth Bacher, CEO of Encompass Health Valley of the Sun. “Our employees are what enable us to operate at such a high level. I think it’s no coincidence that we’re in the top two percent in employee engagement in our network, and how that correlates to our success in patient satisfaction. I’m proud of our employees, and it is gratifying to see how committed each member is to our hospital’s mission.”

About Encompass Health Valley of the Sun

Encompass Health Valley of the Sun Rehabilitation Hospital is a 75-bed hospital that offers comprehensive inpatient, outpatient and home health rehabilitation services. These programs are designed to return patients to leading active and independent lives. Serving patients throughout the Phoenix Metropolitan area and is located at 13460 N. 67th Ave. in Glendale and on the Web at www.encompasshealth.com/valleyofthesunrehab

About Encompass Health

As a national leader in post-acute care, Encompass Health (NYSE: EHC) offers both facility-based and home-based patient care through its network of inpatient rehabilitation hospitals, home health agencies and hospice agencies. With a national footprint that spans 130 hospitals and 272 home health & hospice locations in 36 states and Puerto Rico, the Company is committed to delivering high-quality, cost-effective care across the post-acute continuum. Driven by a set of shared values, Encompass Health is the result of the union between HealthSouth Corporation and Encompass Home Health & Hospice, and is ranked as one of Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For. For more information, visit www.encompasshealth.com, or follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

Sponsor of the SPOTLIGHT Senior Services & Living Options Visit us online today and say "I saw you in SPOTLIGHT!" www.encompasshealth.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT Market Edge Realty

We are pleased to announce our newest advertiser in

SPOTLIGHT Senior Services & Living Options 

Jennie Miller PLLC, with Market Edge Realty LLC, is an award winning Real Estate Broker who has exceeded quotas, earning company and industry recognition for TOP sales performance and customer satisfaction annually AND Jennie has been featured on News Channel 3 in Phoenix! 

Ms. Miller specializes in working with elderly and home sellers. Always proactively seeking to improve customer satisfaction, Jennie strives to give her customers the best quality, value and service with an unwavering dedication. Jennie has implemented proven systems and built a team of talented personnel to channel her focused goals and commitments. 

She is a driven, positive person with impeccable attention to detail. Her high energy and effective leadership skills conduct a successful marketing plan equipped with creativity, education and knowledge. Always having uncompromising ethics and integrity during the 20 plus years of her diverse career, Jennie also displays the talents of being an articulate communicator, a skilled negotiator, and an expert in finance. This helps Jennie educate and empower her customers to alleviate the stress of selling their property making it a smooth transition. 

Originally from Chicago, Jennie has lived and worked and lived in the Phoenix area for nearly 25 years. Jennie holds a Master’s in Business Administration and earned the Certified Senior Housing Professional designation. The Real Estate experiences and education she has acquired undauntedly will pave the road of her success for years to come. 

  

Market Edge Realty, LLC

22849 N. 19^th Avenue Suite 105 Phoenix AZ 85027

Phone: (480) 382-9681

Fax: (888) 958-1203

www.RentArizona.info

www.MarketEdgeAZ.com

Visit us online today and say "I saw you in SPOTLIGHT!"

6 Things You Must Know about Behavioral Care in Assisted Living

Six things you must know about Behavioral Care in Assisted Living

1.      A facility who offers behavioral care needs a structured program to help those who have a mental health diagnosis know what is expected of them.  Having a structured program is predictable and comforting and helps residents excel.

2.      Behavioral Care has staff that is trained for mental health needs, knowing the residents’ rights and making sure those rights are respected and encouraging.  Making sure each employee receives behavior training is an important part in continuity of care. 

3.      Positive reinforcement in behavioral care is vital.  When the resident has a say in how the treatment plan is developed, there is more acceptance to the plan.  The resident is motivated to achieve the objective as opposed to being motivated to reject it because their opinions weren’t considered.

4.      Activities are very important piece to behavioral care.  Having a busy schedule and things to do is critical for mental health stability.  Keeping a mind occupied and having opportunities to engage. It is extremely healthy for residents who suffer from mental health related illnesses.

5.      Exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function.  Health benefits from regular exercise include the following:

1.      Improved sleep

2.      Better endurance

3.      Stress relief

4.      Improvement in mood

5.      Increased energy and stamina

6.      Reduced tiredness and can increase mental alertness

7.      Weight reduction

8.      Reduced cholesterol and improved cardiovascular fitness.

6.      Mental stability is key to a better quality of life.  A facility that is over seen by a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) is essential. This is the individual who manages all mental health medications and prescribes those medications as needed.  Instead of needing to leave the community to visit a mental health clinic, the resident can see the practitioner on site and have their medications or other concerns addressed immediately.  It cuts down on hospital and clinic visits, so the residents can focus on other things. 

      Corporate Sponsor of the SPOTLIGHT Senior Services
& Living Options Guide

Visit us online today @ www.HeritageLane.org and say

"I saw you in SPOTLIGHT!"

How To Help A Loved One Who Needs Behavioral Health Care

How to Help a Loved One in Need of Behavioral Health Care.

Mental illnesses are disorders that affect a person’s mood, thoughts or behaviors. Serious mental illnesses include a variety of diseases including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, traumatic brain injuries, and delusional. Although they can be scary, it is important to remember that these disorders are treatable. Individuals diagnosed with these diseases can live very full, rewarding lives, especially if they seek treatment as needed.

Being diagnosed with a serious mental illness can be a shock — both for the person diagnosed and for his or her family and friends. On the other hand, finally obtaining a diagnosis and treatment plan can sometimes help relieve stress in the family and start moving recovery forward. Family members can be an invaluable resource for individuals dealing with serious mental illnesses. By learning more about the illness, you can support your loved one through diagnosis and beyond.

While symptoms of serious mental illnesses vary, the following signs are among the more common:

·         Social withdrawal.

·          

·         Difficulty functioning at school or work.

·          

·         Problems with memory and thinking.

·          

·         Feeling disconnected from reality.

·          

·         Changes in sleeping, eating and hygiene habits.

·          

·         Alcohol or drug abuse.

·          

·         Extreme mood changes.

·          

·         Thoughts of suicide.

·          

Encourage your loved one to talk to a trusted health care provider. If he or she is hesitant to see a mental health specialist such as a psychologist, suggest a visit to a general physician. Offer to accompany them to the appointment if they’d like. 

If you feel your loved one is in danger of harming himself or herself, or harming someone else, that’s an emergency. Don't hesitate to call 911. If possible, ask for an officer trained in crisis intervention — many communities have officers on staff who are trained to diffuse a mental health crisis in the best possible way.

It is extremely normal to experience a flurry of emotions when a loved one is diagnosed with a serious mental illness.  Guilt, shame, disbelief, fear, anger and grief are all common reactions.  Acceptance with the diagnosis can take time, both for the individual who is diagnosed, and for you and other family members.  

One of the most important things you can do to support a family member with a serious mental illness is to educate yourself.  The more you learn about what to expect, the easier it will be to provide the right kind of support and assistance.  Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of the disease so that you can recognize when your family member might be showing signs that his or her illness is not well controlled.  

Medications can be helpful for controlling symptoms of many serious, mental illnesses.  They can take a while to become effective sometimes, and medication alone is often not enough to keep these diseases in check.  Encourage your loved one to take advantage of other resources, such as peer support groups and individual and/or group psychotherapy.

When your loved one is living with a mental illness remember that they still have an identity and a voice.  Encourage them to have open and honest conversations.  Ask what they are feeling, what they are struggling with and what they would like from you.  Work together to set up realistic expectations and plan the steps for meeting those expectations. 

Recognize and praise your loved one’s strengths and progress.  Compared to offering positive support, repeatedly prompting or nagging people with serious mental illnesses to make behavior changes actually can result in worse outcomes.  

We are Sponsors of the SPOTLIGHT Senior Services & Living Options Resource Guide. Visit us online today @ www.heritagelane.org and say "I saw your article in SPOTLIGHT!"