Amber Lights News - Improve Flexibility

AMBER LIGHT TUCSON 

Improve Flexibility

Research shows that stretching can be especially important for older adults. It may help you improve your joint range of motion and reduce risk of injury, helping senior remain as independent as possible. Amber Lights has added a new fitness class to its already packed calendar of health & wellness programs. “Stretched Out” will incorporate strength bands into a gently yet effective half hour session.

Visit us online @ http://www.srgseniorliving.com/communities/tucson-az-amber-lights

Haven Senior Horizons Specialized Geriatric Care

Specialized Geriatric Care

How does Haven Senior Horizons of Phoenix provide Specialized Geriatric Care services?

At Haven Senior Horizons of Phoenix geriatric unit, the focus is solely on the treatment of older adults. Haven believes that the surroundings and treatment options for older adults are very distinctive and should be treated as such. The patient care areas are designed with special lighting, wall colors, hand rails and flooring to make patients as comfortable as possible. No two patients are exactly alike, so the physicians, social workers, nurses and activity therapists work as a treatment team, in conjunction with the patient and family, to identify the best plan of care for the patient.

How common are Mental Disorders in older adults?

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), an estimated 20.4 percent of adults aged 65 and older met criteria for a mental disorder and more than 50 percent of residents have some form of cognitive impairment. The Geriatric Mental Health Foundation states that 15 to 20 percent of older adults in the United States have experienced depression. These numbers are likely to increase as baby boomers continue to age.

The aging patient is often dealing with psychiatric conditions, as well as physical symptoms from medical conditions.  Haven provides two levels of programming to treat these conditions. One level is geared for the older adult who is dealing with depression, anxiety, and symptoms that are shown to benefit from didactical therapies, such as cognitive behavioral therapy. The second level focuses on patients who are experiencing decreases in cognitive levels of functioning or symptoms associated with dementia and are responsive to reminiscence and sensory stimulation therapies. Patients have also been receptive to pet therapy as a therapeutic intervention to stimulate their senses.

Haven also recognizes the importance of family involvement to therapy.  Our programs encourage visitation on a regular basis, and the social work team provides regular educational topics during the week for patient families.

Decreased physical and mental capabilities, the loss of loved ones and reduced independence can mean significant changes in the lives of seniors. Haven has created this facility dedicated to providing older patients the behavioral care and treatment they need and deserve. 

Visit us online @ https://phoenix.havenbehavioral.com/

May Is National Mobility Awareness Month

May Is National Mobility Awareness Month

Posted on April 27, 2016

Join the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association in celebrating the 5th annual National Mobility Awareness Month. During this amazing promotion, we encourage people with disabilities to embody the spirit of Life Moving Forward by raising awareness of the many life-changing mobility vehicle solutions available today.

Ability Center and NMEDA are mobility advocates dedicated to changing the lives of those with living with disabilities by providing access to quality handicap accessible vehicles and adaptive equipment. Whether you are living with a disability or have dedicated your time to helping someone who is, we want to hear your stories of perseverance and strength.

Starting April 12, tell us what makes you, or your loved one, a Local Hero for your chance to win a wheelchair accessible van. They will be giving away three wheelchair accessible vehicles: one to a caregiver, one to a senior (60+), and one in the general category.  To enter, click here – http://www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com/local-heroes/enter/.

Visit us online @ www.AbilityCenter.com 

Differences in Medicare and ALTCS

Question: Why do I need to even consider Arizona Long Term Care System when I have Medicare? After paying into the Medicare system for my entire career, shouldn’t Medicare cover my medical expenses? I don’t understand why I need to apply for ALTCS when I am already insured.

Answer: The simple answer to this question is that Medicare only covers acute care and ALTCS covers the costs of long-term care.

Medicare is important and necessary, but it is oftentimes not enough, particularly given that the costs of long-term care can very easily exceed $6,000 per month. And because Medicare will not cover this cost, it can be exceedingly important to pursue ALTCS if you require long-term care.

In the interest of providing further clarity on this question, Medicare will cover up to 100 days of skilled nursing care, but only if that care is acute, or rehabilitative, in nature.

In some instances, people have long-term care insurance to cover long-term care, but the vast majority of folks do not have this type of coverage.

Here, unless the individual qualifies for ALTCS, he or she will have to pay out-of- pocket for care — Medicare will not cover skilled nursing care once the acute coverage lapses.

Most people in this situation have never contemplated ALTCS, but it is never too late to prepare for the application process. In fact, most of the time people do not prepare for the application process until they are confronted with a crisis, but many times, it is possible to qualify for the program with only minimal delay.

Richard White is an elder law attorney at JacksonWhite Attorneys at Law. For more information on Elder Law at JacksonWhite, please visit www.ArizonaSeniorLaw.com.

Santa Rita Nursing & Rehabilitation Center ~ Outpatient Therapy

Outpatient Therapy

Located at 170 N La Canada Drive, Suite 20.  Contact us at ph #520.352.3049   fax #520.625.2871

Our Santa Rita Outpatient Therapy team is led by Dan Johnson, PT. Dan and his team can provide individualized plans of care, one on one treatments, and continuum of care recommendations to help patients reach their goals and attain maximal outcomes.

Dan Johnson, PT
Orthopedic Manual Therapist
Dan received his BS in Exercise Science in 1995 from Western Washington University. He then went on to complete his Masters in Physical Therapy at Chapman University in Orange County, CA. He has been working in this field for over 16 years. He joined the Santa Rita team in 2003 and was integral to the start of our outpatient therapy department in 2012.

Email Dan at: outpatientpt@santaritacare.com

Jessica Ransom, PTA
Outpatient Rehab Director
Physical Therapist Assistant
Jessica is a 2001 graduate of Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio with an Associate degree in Physical Therapy. She also earned a B.S. degree in 2002 in Natural Science with concentrations in Biology, Physics, and Math.  She joined the Santa Rita staff in February of 2010 and became the Santa Rita Outpatient Therapy Manager in September of 2014.  Jessica has over 16 years of experience working in the physical therapy setting.  She believes physical therapy should be both fun and effective. Her goal is to help patients return to their pain free daily activities, and to educate them in self-management techniques for the future.

Email Jessica at: jransom@santaritacare.com

Our team specializes in orthopedic injuries, sports medicine rehab, total joint replacements, basic hand therapy, neurological disorders, pain management and vestibular disorders (BPPV). They are skilled in working with clients who require balance training, core strengthening, therapeutic exercise, therapeutic modalities, and manual therapy techniques as well as rehabilitating sports-related injuries. Our therapists provide the highest quality therapy services available.

The Santa Rita Outpatient Therapy is conveniently located next door to the Santa Rita Skilled Nursing and Rehab Center in the Green Valley Professional Center.  Our clinic is furnished with state of the art, modern equipment, such as one of Southern Arizona’s only anti-gravity treadmills, the Alter-G. The Alter-G is an anti-gravity treadmill that helps to reduce stress on joints and injured areas of your lower body.  It enables our clients to walk and/or run with little to no pain and maintain a normal gait pattern.  We also offer modalities such as: Electrical Stimulation, Ultra Sound, Iontophoresis, Cold Compression (The Game Ready), and Mechanical Traction.

Santa Rita Outpatient Therapy provides services for both Insurance and Self-Pay Clients.  Our clinic has multiple insurance contracts and we accept several out-of-network insurance.  Please contact our clinic to make an appointment or if you would like more information about our services.

Visit us online @ www.Santaritacare.com 

ALTER-G

GAME READY

Haven of Tucson

OUR MISSION & VALUES

HAVEN HEALTH

---

As Caring Professionals, we strive to know, practice, and live our Mission Statement. We hold ourselves accountable to its core values throughout each of our services.

OUR THREE-FOLD MISSION

HAVEN HEALTH

---

Our mission is to be the provider of choice in the communities we serve, a gathering place for caring professionals and a safe haven for residents to thrive–one person and one family at a time.

CORE VALUES

HAVEN HEALTH

---

TRUST

EMPOWER​MENT

ACCOUNT​ABILITY

MUTUAL RESPECT

Visit US ONLINE @ www.HavenHG.com

Heartland Hospice ~ How To Talk About Hospice

How to Talk About Hospice 

At Heartland, we fully understand that conversations regarding hospice can be difficult. So, we have developed guidelines to help the conversation between you and your patient, resident or family member.

The Heartland team is specially trained to talk to your patients and their families about hospice care. Feel free to contact us at any time, we can meet with you or your patients to discuss the benefits of hospice care. 

Here are suggestions on how to begin the discussion of hospice care:

1. Hospice care not only helps with managing your symptoms, but, also helps you and your family with emotional and spiritual support.

2. You don't have to be ready for hospice. In fact, hospice doesn't expect you to be ready. You just have to be eligible for the services which can increase the quality of your life.

3. Many people think that hospice care is for the last few days of life, when in fact patients can receive it much earlier. In customer satisfaction surveys, many families said they wish they had known about hospice sooner.

4. Receiving hospice care may help you avoid frequent trips to the hospital.

5. One of the hospices we work with, Heartland, does not require that you sign a DNR to receive hospice care.

6. You can see your own doctor.

7. If hospice is not for you, you can revoke the hospice benefit and go back onto Medicare or your regular insurance plan.

8. You may be eligible through Medicare for services to help you cope with your terminal illness. May I have someone from hospice speak with you?

9. Hospice care for the patient and the family can help make coping with terminal illness a little easier.

10. If you are eligible for hospice, you do not have to give up your comforting treatments as long as they are related to your terminal prognosis.

Visit us online @ www.heartlandhospice.com