How long does the placement process take?

We have done emergency placements within a matter of hours.  We evaluate each situation independently and work with the parties involved to accommodate whatever time frame our clients might be faced with.

 

How much does it cost to use your services?

We do not charge for our services.  It doesn’t matter how much time we spend with you, including tours or phone consultation, it’s always FREE of charge to clients.   Our costs are covered by the care providers.

 

How do you know when you should call About Seniors?

1. They need 24 hour care or supervision.

2. Their short or long-term memory is impaired.
3. They need help managing their medications.
4. They have an increasing need for help with dressing, bathing and 

    other personal care.

5. They are afraid to be alone.
6. Your loved one's ability to reason or their judgment is impaired.

7. They are increasingly becoming isolated from social activities.

8. They have an unsteady gait or fall often.
9. They are no longer able to cook, clean or shop without assistance.
10. They can no longer manage their finances.

11. Needing temporary placement.

 

Who regulates Assisted Living Facilities in Arizona?

The Division of Licensing Services, Office of Assisted Living Licensing regulates and monitors assisted living facilities state-wide.  Most facilities are inspected once a year, and as needed to ensure compliance and investigate complaints.  If a facility receives a deficiency-free relicensing survey, it may receive a 2-year license.  With the exception of initial licensing visits, all visits are unannounced.

 

How can I find information about a particular facility?

The Department of Health Services maintains a public file for all licensed health care institutions. The files contain records of inspections, complaints and licensing history.  The files are available for public viewing from 8am- 5pm Monday through Friday.  You may also visit their website at www.azcarecheck.com. We advise doing research about any facility or nursing home in Arizona prior to making a decision.

 

What type of questions should I ask when researching facilities? (These questions are only intended as a guide. You will require additional questions depending on your specific conditions and circumstances)

 

Assisted Living Homes / Group Homes and Foster Care Homes:

• Is the facility licensed?
• Who owns the facility and what is their experience?
• What are the admission requirements?
• What is the monthly cost of care?
• Do they require a deposit?
• Do we have to sign a contract?
• How long can a resident stay in the facility?
• Are there any added expenses, other than the cost of care?
• How many people is the facility licensed for?
• What is the resident to staff ratio?
• Does the facility have an awake staff?
• What are the qualifications of the owners, manager and care givers?
• How does the facility keep records of each resident? (food intake, medication log, etc.)
• How often are showers given?
• Are medications under lock and key?
• Are residents allowed to leave the facility with family or friends?
• What’s the typical resident profile? (alert versus confused)
• What are the visiting hours?
• How many people share one bathroom?
• Does the facility provide transportation?
• Is the bathroom handicapped equipped?
• Can a resident have their own telephone line in the room?
• Do they allow pets?
• Who does housekeeping/ laundry?
• Are the residents allowed to bring personal belongings?
• Are meals prepared in the home?
• Do they have a well balanced menu?
• Do they have substitute meals for residents who don’t like what’s being served?
• Are the residents dressed appropriately?
• What time do residents go to bed and get up in the morning?
• Does the facility have a house-call physician?
• What kind of activities does the facility provide?
• Is there an on-call beautician?
• Can residents receive personal mail?

 

Assisted Living Communities, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing Facilities:

 

• Is the facility or Nursing Home in Arizona licensed?
• What are the admission requirements?
• What is the monthly cost of care?
• Do they require a deposit?
• Are there any added expenses, other than the cost of care?
• How many people is the facility licensed for?
• Do we have to sign a contract?
• What is the resident to staff ratio?
• Is there a nurse on staff?
• Does the facility have a house-call physician?
• How does the facility keep records of each resident? (food intake, medication log, etc.)
• Are residents allowed to leave the facility with family or friends?
• What are the visiting hours?
• Does the facility provide transportation?
• Do they allow pets?
• Do they have substitute meals for residents who don’t like what’s being served?
• What kind of activities does the facility provide?
• Does the facility have a beauty salon/ barber shop?
• How does a resident get personal mail?
• Can a resident bring a vehicle, where do they park?
• How long can a resident stay in the facility?
• How often does housekeeping clean?
• Are there laundry facilities?
• How often are showers given?
• Is there any medical equipment that is not allowed in the facility?
• Is the facility secure for memory care patients (i.e. wanderers)? (if applicable)

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Definitions:  Source: Arizona Department of Health Services.

 

"Assisted living home" means an assisted living facility that provides resident rooms to ten or fewer residents. A health care institution other than a hospital or a nursing care institution that provides resident beds or residential units, supervisory care services, personal care services, directed care services or health-related services for persons who do not need continuous nursing services.

 

“Adult foster care home" means a residential setting that provides room and board and adult foster care services for at least one and no more than four adults who are participants in the Arizona long-term care system and in which the sponsor or the manager resides with the residents and integrates the residents who are receiving adult foster care into that person's family.

 

 "Adult foster care services" means supervision, assistance with eating, bathing, toileting, dressing, self-medication and other routines of daily living or services.

 

"Assisted living center" means an assisted living facility that provides resident rooms or residential units to eleven or more residents.

 

"Assisted living facility" means a residential care institution, including an adult foster care home, that provides or contracts to provide supervisory care services, personal care services or directed care services on a continuous basis.

 

"Assessment" means a written analysis of a resident's abilities; preferences; and need for supervisory care services, personal care services, or directed care services.

 

"Activities of daily living" means bathing, dressing, grooming, eating, mobility, transfer, and toileting.

 

"Health care institution" means every place, institution, building or agency, whether organized for profit or not, which provides facilities with medical services, nursing services, health screening services, other health-related services, supervisory care services, personal care services, directed care services and includes home health agencies.

 

"Nursing care institution" means a health care institution that provides inpatient beds or resident beds and nursing services to persons who need continuous nursing services but who do not require hospital care or direct daily care from a physician. Most nursing homes in Arizona do not include an institution for the care and treatment of the sick that is operated only for those who rely solely on treatment by prayer or spiritual means in accordance with the tenets of a recognized religious denomination.

 

"Nursing services" means those services that pertain to the curative, restorative and preventive aspects of nursing care and that are performed at the direction of a physician by or under the supervision of a registered nurse licensed in this state.

 

"Residential unit" means a private apartment, unless otherwise requested by a resident, that includes a living and sleeping space, kitchen area, private bathroom and storage area.

Levels of Care:

"Directed care services" means programs and services, including supervisory and personal care services, that are provided to persons who are incapable of recognizing danger, summoning assistance, expressing need or making basic care decisions.

 

"Supervisory care services" means general supervision, including daily awareness of resident functioning and continuing needs, the ability to intervene in a crisis and assistance in the self-administration of prescribed medications.

 

"Personal care services" means assistance with activities of daily living that can be performed by persons without professional skills or professional training and includes the coordination or provision of intermittent nursing services and the administration of medications and treatments by a nurse.

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