The State of Arizona has long been a popular retirement destination given its warm, dry climate that is renowned for easing the aches and pains that often accompany aging. As the population of seniors continues to increase at a never before seen rate, Arizona welcomes even more retirees. While senior face many of the same problems that their younger counterparts do, they also struggle with unique issues and challenges. Moreover, those who care for them often encounter problems they have never before faced. As of 2017, Mesa, Arizona is home to 496,401people according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Older individuals (age 65 and older) make up 13.3 percent of the population with just over nine percent of all households being made up of a single person over the age of 65 living alone in Mesa.
Whether you are a senior yourself, a caregiver, or a loved one, finding resources to help with many of these issues can be challenging. To help get you started, the Mesa, Arizona elder law attorneys at Morris Hall PLLC have compiled some elder law resources that may be beneficial. If you have a specific elder law question or concern, please feel free to contact out office to schedule a consultation.
Local Government and Law Enforcement
As a resident of the City of Mesa, you will undoubtedly find the need to contact local government offices from time to time. The best place to start for general city resources is the website for the City Mesa. On the city’s website you can find links to helpful information such as a listing of City Departments and Programs and an extensive list of links that residents often find helpful. At some point you may even need to communicate with the Mesa Police Department or, if you are outside the city proper, you may be serviced by the Mesa County Sheriff’s Department.
Nursing Homes and Home Health Care
As time goes by, you may reach at a point at which you realize that additional help is needed to care for yourself or for someone you love. Whether that means daily home health care, assisted living, or the type of care you can only receive from a nursing home, Mesa offers numerous options from which to choose. Fortunately, seniors today have a wide variety of options when it comes to assistance with the effects of aging. For help locating the right type of care and the right facility for your needs, you might find the following resources helpful:
- Arizona Department of Health Services which offers a list of licensed nursing facilities within the State of Arizona.
- Eldercare Locator which is provided by the U.S. Administration on Aging and offers a searchable database of long-term care facilities.
- Care Planning Council of Arizona which also offers a list of skilled nursing facilities as well as alternatives such as home care and assisted living facilities. You will also find a wealth of information and resources for issues that impact the elderly.
- Nursing Home Compare located on the government’s official Medicare.gov website offers a list of facilities along with ratings and additional information.
The cost of long-term care (LTC) in the United States has increased dramatically right along with the older population, and is expected to continue to increase in the years to come. In 2018, the average yearly cost of LTC throughout the United States was $100,000 and the average length of stay was about three years. In the State of Arizona, the average cost of LTC kept pace with the national average, running residents just over $94,000 that same year. Because neither Medicare nor most basic health insurance plans cover the expenses associated with LTC, it is critical that you plan ahead to ensure you can cover your LTC expenses if necessary. While Medicaid does cover LTC expenses, the Medicaid eligibility guidelines can be problematic for many seniors in the absence of advanced planning. Consequently, the estate planning attorneys at Morris Hall PLLC urge you to incorporate Medicaid planning into your comprehensive estate plan as soon as possible to avoid facing transfer penalties that can be imposed if you transfer assets within the five year period prior to applying for Medicaid benefits.
Leisure Time
No matter how old we are, socializing remains important to both our mental and physical well-being. In fact, getting out and spending time with friends and neighbors is vital to both the physical and mental health of seniors. One place where seniors can get together with their peers and socialize is the Red Mountain Senior Center. If you are a veteran, there are several VFW posts and American Legion posts in the Mesa area. The East Valley Adult Resources Center is another excellent resource for seniors living in Mesa, Arizona.
State and Federal Assistance Programs
An excellent all around elder law resource to be aware of is the Arizona Department of Economic Security’s, Aging and Disability Services (ADS) which offers programs and initiatives for older adults in Arizona. Among other things, you will find information about reporting elder abuse as well as links to resources for caregivers on the ADS website.
Many seniors also qualify for assistance from the Social Security disability or retirement program. For information on Social Security disability benefits, visit the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) website. Information about your Social Security retirement benefits can also be found on the website. If you are a veteran, or the surviving spouse or dependent of a veteran, you may also be entitled to a number of benefits through the Veteran’s Administration. Once you reach retirement age, you will likely be automatically enrolled in the Medicare program. Although basic Medicare is free to all seniors, Medicare actually has four parts and the other three parts may come with a premium. If you need help covering the high cost of long-term care as a senior, you may also need to apply for Medicaid, known as the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) in the State of Arizona. Information and application instructions can be found on the AHCCCS website.
While there are numerous state and federal benefits that seniors may be eligible for, applying for those benefits can be an intimidating and overwhelming process. Navigating the application process can be frustrating for a senior who is unfamiliar with most of the programs. If you are a loved one who is applying on behalf of a senior, you may find it to be even more difficult to get your loved one approved, particularly if you do not have legal guardianship over the applicant. At Morris Hall PLLC we know how important many of these benefits may be to you or your loved one and we are dedicated to helping you through the process. If you have already applied and your application was denied, we can help you appeal that denial. We can also discuss with you benefits of petitioning for guardianship, as well as other available options, if you are a caregiver.
Getting Help from a Mesa, Arizona Elder Law Attorney
The experienced elder law attorneys at Morris Hall PLLC are committed to helping you with the myriad of legal issues you may be facing. Along with planning ahead for long-term care by incorporating Medicaid planning into your estate plan, we can also review your existing estate plan to make sure other areas of importance of covered. For example, as a senior it is vital that you have an incapacity plan in place as well as tools and strategies that protect your assets. If you have strong feelings about end of life medical care we can discuss executing an advance directive that would legally require health care professionals to honor your wishes in that regard. Likewise, we can incorporate a funeral planning component into your estate plan to prevent conflict among your loved ones after you are gone and guarantee that your funeral and burial will occur in accordance with your wishes. If you have additional questions or concerns about elder law, contact an experienced elder law attorney at Morris Hall PLLC by calling 888-222-1328 to schedule your appointment today.
