Elder Care News

Choosing an Assisted Living Community

Choosing the right assisted living placement requires a keen set of eyes, attention to detail and knowing the right questions to ask.  For many, the time consuming endeavor of finding the right home to match the senior’s needs can be exhausting. You may have asked yourself: How do I know what facility is right for my parent? Will I be able to afford this? Is there help available? You are not alone, the confusing maze of options can sometimes be difficult to understand and navigate. The professionals at Arizona Assisted Living Solutions will help you explore options and discover solutions that are tailored to your specific needs.

What types of facilities are there?

Different facilities provide different types of care in a variety of settings; some may have only four or five residents in a single family home while others are much larger facilities with hundreds of residents. Each setting could be licensed through 1 of 3 levels of care: Directed care services provide programs and personal care to persons who are incapable of making their needs known or recognizing potential dangerous situations.  Personal care services provides assistance with activities of daily living, this can be performed by a person without professional skills or training, in addition to coordination with a nursing professional for medicine administration and treatments. Supervisory care services provide general supervision with functioning and continuing care needs. They also provide assistance in the self-administration of prescribed medications.

Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes are operated by Sponsors and certified by the Department of Health Services (DHS). No more than four residents live with the sponsor and their family. These homes are located in residential neighborhoods across the valley and are approved to accept Arizona Long Term Care Systems (ALTCS) contracts. The sponsors have specific training and are competent to provide personal care; meals; supervision with self administration of medications and dementia care. These homes are monitored yearly by the Foundation for Senior Living and must follow DHS rules and regulations.

Assisted Living Homes are operated by Owners and licensed by the Department of Health Services. These homes can be licensed for up to ten residents. These homes are located in residential neighborhoods across the valley and some are approved to accept Arizona Long Term Care Systems (ALTCS) contracts. Trained staff provides personal and dementia care. This type of home is monitored every one to two years prior to license renewal by DHS. (Assisted living Homes with ALTCS contracts are also monitored on a yearly basis by the Foundation for Senior Living.

Assisted Living Centers are operated by corporations and licensed by the Department of Health Services. They are licensed for 11 or more residents and are considered a large setting. Some Assisted living centers are approved to accept Arizona Long Term Care Systems (ALTCS) contracts. These settings typically offer a wider range of activities and amenities for the resident to take advantage of, such as catered dining, full time activity coordinators and transportation services. These facilities are monitored every one or two years prior to license renewal by DHS. (Assisted living centers with ALTCS contracts are also monitored on a yearly basis by the Foundation for Senior Living.

Cost and Payment

Facilities set their own rates for care in their facilities. These rates may be negotiable based on the extent of the care needed. The rates should be discussed thoroughly and clarified before any placement is made. Individuals who meet the eligibility criteria may be able to enroll in the Arizona Long Term Care System (ALTCS), this program can assist in paying for the cost of long term care services.

What are placement agencies?

Placement agencies are companies that offer assistance to seniors and their families to assist in identifying alternatives for those who are unable to live independently due to increased care needs. The placement specialist acts as a “liason” between seniors and adult care facilities. This valuable link helps to ensure that you are selecting the most appropriate care facility available.

Why choose Arizona Assisted Living Solutions?

AALS works with families and seniors, at no charge in locating assisted living options tailored to their specific needs. With over 20 years of experience in the eldercare industry, we are skilled at providing you with a customized approach in finding a solution that is right for you. Our comprehensive assessment process helps to ensure that our clients are presented with options that meet their medical, social, spiritual and financial needs. AALS only works with licensed care providers, this helps ensure that you are receiving the highest quality care available. We are here to support you every step of the way.