A friend of mine from work is running into some problems trying to place her mother in a Senior Housing/Assisted Living type place. To be honest, I don’t think she really knows where to start and unfortunately, neither do I. We live in Arizona and I’ve tried to Google around for some info for her, but I’m coming up pretty empty handed.
She’s contacted the ALTCS (AZ Long Term Care System) for forms of some sort and was referred to another person who talked to her a bit about waiting lists (Anywhere from 1 to 2 years). Obviously, this isn’t something that can really wait that long. Her mom is 67, has emphazyma and is constantly on oxygen. She’s mentally there, but her physically capabilities are widely prohibited by her shortness of breath. Currently, she’s living in a small town (Where she owns a bit of property, prolly worth less than 6k total) that’s about an hour drive from Phoenix (Where we are.) My co-worker has been driving out to her moms place every weekend, bringing tv dinners, cleaning, helping her bathe, etc… but it’s severely taxing for her… and she has a young daughter so she really can’t keep this up for much longer. In addition, there’s the fact that her mom is alone all week, and has no transportation to Dr./Store/etc.
I honestly expected to find some sort of support site/forum/something that would help to point her in the right direction. She’s really stressed (understandably so) and doesnt have any room for her at her own place. She’s discussed everything from Assisted Living to renting her a studio and paying someone to come take care of her. At this point, she’s really not sure what her options are… only that her mom has very little money (Gets by on Social Security) and they desperately need to get her somewhere closer to home and preferably where she can be around other people. (My co-worker expressed concern that her mom is entirely alone 6 days a week).
Any suggestions? Starting points? Personal experience? Your feedback is welcome and appreciated.
This might be a good option - sell the small-town property and rent a small loft or bachelor appartment.
In a large city like Pheonix she should be able to get some sort of home-care nurse to come in anywhere from a couple of times a week to every day.
When my grandma was dying my mom stayed with her but had a nurse come in daily to help with medications, minor health issues, bathing, etc.
Here in Canada and in the UK these services are paid for by the government but that might be wishful thinking for the US (I dunno.)
If there was a fee, perhaps the proceeds of the sale of the small town property could be put towards it. This will at least tide your friend over until a spot in a long-term care facility becomes available.
nod In the US, we have aid that you can apply for… but I’m not sure of the channels… and neither is she. It’s a huge mess though… I envy Canada sometimes.
But then I remember that it snows there and I feel a little better about being a 'Zonie.
Does the mother have a gerientologist? (A Dr. for the elderly.)
If not, she should get one. Such a person not only specializes in aging they should also be able to provide a list of resources available to elderly patients.
Additionally, your friend could contact a local hospital - they should have a palative care ward that would have information as well. Even if the mom isn’t terminal as a senior she probably has access to some of the same resources.
Does the mother have a gerientologist? (A Dr. for the elderly.)
If not, she should get one. Such a person not only specializes in aging they should also be able to provide a list of resources available to elderly patients.
Additionally, your friend could contact a local hospital - they should have a palative care ward that would have information as well. Even if the mom isn’t terminal as a senior she probably has access to some of the same resources.
On the parent site, the Arizona Dept of Health Services, there are additional links, including specific contacts. That should give you a start.
Also her doctor, whether he/she is a gerontologist or not, should be able to help find a home health care aide. This might be at least partially covered by Medicare, I’m not sure.
Does Arizona have a “Meals on Wheels” program?
If the doctor doesn’t know, there may be a local or county health services agency that could be of assistance.
I’m under the impression that there are a fair number of elderly folks in Arizona since it is a popular retirement state, so there must be places available.
Try your county housing department as well as your city housing dept. There should also be city & county senior citizen organizations listed in your phone book. We have an Alliance on Aging in my city & they send me their paper all the time for some reason
