What would you like to do today?
Arizona Programs and Services
AZ Links Partners and Projects
ADRC Innovations and Projects
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Planning ahead and identifying services and other options
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Assistance with the transition from hospital or nursing home back home into the community
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Partnership with a VA medical center to assist veterans with services at home
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Information, education and assistance for informal caregivers
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Free Medicare benefits counseling service
Options Counseling (OC) is a process to promote informed decision making about long term support needs. An Options Counselor can provide guidance about available choices and information on various topics related to long term support needs. The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) and Centers for Independent Living (CIL) use statewide standards to provide OC. ALTCS and DDD also provide applicants with information and resources.
The following AZ Links – ADRC partners are currently offering Options Counseling:
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Area Agency on Aging, Region One (since 2011)
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ABILITY360 (since 2011)
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Pima Council on Aging (PCOA), Area Agency on Aging, Region 2 (since 2011)
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DIRECT Center for Independence, Inc. (since 2012)
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NACOG Area Agency on Aging, Region 3 (since 2012)
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WACOG Area Agency on Aging, Region 4 (since 2013)
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Pinal-Gila Council for Seniors, Area Agency on Aging Region 5 (2013)
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Division of Developmental Disabilities (ongoing) AHCCCS – ALTCS (Medicaid) (ongoing)
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AHCCCS – ALTCS (Medicaid) (ongoing)
Care Transitions, and more generally transition support, is a process that assists individuals as they move from one setting to another. A transition is a time that needs attention because providers may change and information needs to be transferred. The client may feel overwhelmed with information, and follow-up may be insufficient. Area Agencies on Aging work with hospitals or clinics on transitions from hospital to home in order to help patients and reduce rehospitalization. This can include coaching on medication self-management, patient-centered health records, primary care provider and specialist follow-up, and patient understanding of “red flag” indicators of worsening condition. Currently, Area Agency on Aging, Region One Inc., and the Pima Council on Aging, Area Agency on Aging, Region 2, conduct CMS-funded transition demonstration projects. Other Area Agencies have strengthened their relationships with hospitals and health care providers to provide transition support. NACOG Area Agency, on Aging, Region 3, continues its care transitions work with several hospitals.
Veterans-Directed Home and Community-Based Services (VD-HCBS) is a new initiative for Arizona. The Division of Aging and Adult Services is working with Area Agency on Aging, Region One Inc., and the Phoenix Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) on developing this program. It would allow veterans to receive OC and self-directed in-home services through a collaboration of the VAMC and the Area Agency.
Family Caregiver Support Services are available statewide through the Area Agencies on Aging. Services include Respite Care to enable caregivers to be temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities. Individual counseling and assistance, support groups, and training are also available. The Caregiver Resource Line (1-888-737-7494 or crl@azcaregiver.net) is staffed with trained volunteers to link caregivers to information and services.
The State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) is a free health benefits counseling service for Medicare beneficiaries and their families or caregivers. The SHIP mission is to educate, advocate, counsel and empower people to make informed benefit decisions. SHIP is an independent program funded by federal agencies and is not affiliated with the insurance industry. Individuals can contact the Area Agencies on Aging for assistance or leave a message at the statewide SHIP Hotline: (800) 432-4040 and someone will call you back.
