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Testimonials
Education, Outreach & Programs Email: outreachFALC@aol.com
"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself." –Ralph Waldo Emerson, Spend any time with Florida Assisted Living Coalition and "Coalition Volunteers" and you will hear this sentiment echoed over and over again. As Emerson recognized more than a century ago, it is a wonderful reality that when we help those around us, we often receive so much more in return. Our volunteers choose to work with us for a variety of reasons. Some understand firsthand how overwhelming a senior care can be and want to help patients and their families feel more at ease. A number of our volunteers are healthcare professionals who serve Florida Assisted Living Coalitionn as a way to stay involved in the community. At the same time, we have volunteers who are are retirees, and even high school students, who share their time with us to learn more about healthcare and what it is like to work with seniors and disabled adults. HELP IS HERE CALL from anywhere (800) 939-2650
TESTIMONIAL dissemination, forwarding, printing or copying of this e-mail is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender of this message. From: kmiller@alf.com Michael: From: pattieindelray@bellsouth.net great conference..glad I went... Thanks - Pattie Allard
Michael,
I look forward to seeing you at the April 15th, 2010 Palm Beach, Chapter Meeting from 2:00p - 4:00p at Delray Medical Center. I am following up on my contacts made from the wonderful weekend at the Florida Assisted Living Coalition Annual Conference. I'm glad I went! I have forwarded the meeting notice and flyer to Carole McCoy for distribution thru her contacts in Palm Beach County.
Bette F. Levine
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SUCCESS STORIES - FALC HOSTS/LPN INTERNSHIP From: AnnFonfa@aol.com In mid January, Muriel Kemp a Bankers Life Insurance agent contact the FALC in an attempt to help two of her clients receive financial entitlements equal to $1949.00 a month. On 1-25-10 FALC conducted a "Patient Profile" of her clients and helped them to realize that they have what appeared to be a valid Veterans Aide & Attendance claim. On 2-11-10 FALC arranged for the couple to visit an independent medical practice who conducted a 3 hour Evaluation and completed the medical forms required in the VA application submission process. The couple needed help with the VA application and FALC introduced them to a VET Advocate they started the application on 2-12-10. Upon completion of the application it will be audited by a VET specialist and then handed back to the couple to drop off at their local Veterans Administration or mailed to their office. The waiting process for VA applications to realize entitlement is running about 6 months. On 1-22-10, A client of a long term care insurance company contacted us that his mother's benefits have run out and he is worried how is he going to afford to pay for home care. FALC asked if his father was a VETERAN and he was, FALC shared with the client that if mother met the medical and financial criteria mother could be eligible for up to $1056 a month of income to help offset the cost of care or use those funds along with social security to help pay for an assisted living placement. As it turned out mother did meet the economic and medical criteria and the individual was guided to how to go about obtaining this financial assistance and better yet, FALC identified a home care agency that was willing to take a deferred payment so that the clients mother could start receiving the care immediately and the client didn't have to out of pocket the expense now and receive the care knowing that when mom gets approved and receives her Veterans Pension he can pay the agency back later... :) On 1-12-10, Outreach Services Received a call from Lake Worth Rehab that they had 3 patients who were between 50 - 60 years old and did not belong in a skilled nursing environment. FALC Outreach responded by identifying what area does the indivduals wish to reside in and what was the budget for each. As it turned out all of them had a budget of less then $950 a month and FALC was able to identify a safe, clean and nice location for each of them to move to and receive the supportive social services, medical care and quality of life they only dreamed about. Each has been placed and checked on only to hear rave reviews that they are pleased with their new homes. In a message dated 10/2/2009 12:10:39 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, MJAMES-FRANCIS@browardhealth.org writes: RE: GOOD NEWS!
Good morning Michael,
Thanks so much for your outstanding help!!. I am certainly looking forward to the meeting on October 15th, 2009. I will be accompanied by Ms. Joan Simon. Do you have a specific time you want to meet as I available all day on the 15th? We are certainly interested in facilitating the classes for your assisted living network. It does not matter where. I am available even if it is in Palm Beach.
Please provide me with the dates and a tentative outline of what you would like. We are so excited to work with the Florida Assisted Living Coalition and your network. We will cover many topics including "Cultural Competence and Awareness". Again, thank you and please let me know when you would like to meet regarding the lectures and the tours.
Have a great weekend!!!!
Maxine A James-Francis DPA.RN.
Administrator
Broward Health-Community Health Services
Seventh Avenue Family Health Center
(954)759 6652
"I just wanted to let you know that we placed our (Ziedy) Grandpa to my children in the caring hearts of those minding to the senior, in this case it was our own family. Florida Assisted Living Coalition found us an agency who matched our preferences for papa with a wonderful retirement community, they gave us sound advice, took the time to listen to understand daddy's style and our budget. The agency drove us around to the different places and also helped connect us with VA BENEFITS. Now papa gets almost $1600 a month of VA money in addition to his social security! I don't think we could have found such a nice place and realized that he was entitled to VA income if it wasn't for their help." Hannah Kagen & Family
Our organization is a resource for displaced, less fortunate, seniors or disabled adults awaiting benefits or programs. We help fill the gap in the system, build bridges and overcome walls of adversity. Our namesake is Florida Assisted Living Coalition - we assist disabled adults & seniors live better lives. As a coalition we are able to help more people in more places.
- COMMUNITY OUTREACH INITIATIVE - WE ADVOCATE FOR YOU, HERE ARE EXAMPLES
7/21/2009 10:59:42 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time Michael,
We are a true non-profit, but that would be need-based. Plus, there is Medicaid Waiver, and most seniors have $700 to $1,500 per month Social Security. The Cost of care for a Small ALF (no economy of scale here) is huge, per bed, compared to places with say 20 to 40 beds. Much higher Staff to Resident ratio, many more services included, much more Hands-On, Attentive care.... So no we can't afford to provide care for that amount. The taxes alone on this home are $650 a MONTH. Once we're open as of Jan One, (next year) we will petition the county again. It's been Hell for small business of every kind and for everyone involved in housing over the past two years. No unemployment for me, either as a business owner. The state of our economy is killing south FL. We provide a very enriched program for the standard rates now. Once we begin to do more Seminars and Fundraising, when we get someone who will volunteer to help us with Grants and the like, yes then we will lower the rates on at least one or two of our beds, to make it Very affordable. We are just starting so that is not possible yet. All in good time, especially with a network of pros in the business to help us find funding and Residents. Everyone seems to want the others in the process to cut their fees (realtors & mortgage brokers making thousands per transaction want appraisers making 1/15th that amount to cut Our fees!) I'm not trying to get others to cut their fees, and I would cut mine in a heartbeat if I had enough income to survive - it will grow and then we will find another home. Perhaps a duplex, so we can have 12 beds and economy of scale. Thanks, Doreen FALC RESPONSE:
Doreen: (alleged nonprofit ALF in Broward, only accepting residents who pay $2500 a month, FALC advocates for low income seniors)
Allow me to introduce myself, I have been in the assisted living business operating in the capacity as an administrator, developer and marketing agent since 1987. I am acutely aware of the costs associated with operating an ALF of any nature. Your NOI (net operating income) is based on your profit after covering your operating expenses. While the cost to provide care for your patients in paramount so are your fixed costs such as mortgage/taxes/permit fees/license, etc. 6 Beds at an average of $2500 pp would generate an gross income of 15,000 a month. You would have 1 caregiver on 3 shifts (3750 mo), spend approximately $5.00 a day per resident meals (900 mo) and defer the ancillary costs to the families for diapers, gloves, hygiene product. Utilities to operate your 6 bed facility are gauged ($1000 mo) which include cell, DSL, cable, electric, water, waste. Therefore your NOI before you cover fixed costs (mortgage/taxes) is $9350 a mo. Clearly your fixed costs don't equate to $112,000 annually, therefore their is a margin as a nonprofit and having explained it to you in this detail, I am not sure why you wouldn't accept a lower paying customer? (800 a mo) Especially since as a licensed facility you are able to contract with Diversion Program & receive state funding equal to $1200 per eligible resident - Michael Dane, Executive Director, Florida Assisted Living Coalition.
Special Services provided for the frail and disabled CALL from Anywhere (800) 939-2650 Email: outreachFALC@aol.com To qualify the indiviual or person you are calling about must be on Social Security or a disabled adult; OUTREACH SERVICES
To qualify you must receive social security or be on disability. FALC Community Outreach lines are open Monday - Friday 9:30a. - 4:30p. Services that are arranged for your benefit maybe available 7 Days a week. FALC Community Outreach is serving Daytona, Tampa, Orlando/Ocala, Fort Myers/Naples, Tallahassee & South Florida (Palm Beach, Broward and Miami)
REAL STORIES of REAL PEOPLE
Thank you so much for asking. They call me several times each day with updates on his condition. Most important, they seem to relly care. They were totally patient until the Medicaid kicked in. Of course none of this would have happened were it not for Michael FALC HISTORY: Billy Jack was living in Fort Lauderdale for 30+ years with his family living in Texas. As he aged he moved onto an assisted living facility and eventually qualified for a skilled nursing home. FALC was able to get him into a private nursing home here in Florida and get him approved for Medicaid. All the while keeping in contact with his brother, FALC helped relocate Billy Jack from a skilled nursing facility in Miami to a skilled nursing facility in Texas with the support of caregiver who flew with him alone to Texas transferred Billy Jack to his brothers care and the Florida based caregiver flew home all in one day. Recently, we checked in with his brother Marcum to see how Billy Jack was doing and the above is his response. Subj. Hi Michael
Hi Michael Date: 7/7/2009 4:43:48 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time From: 5-12-9, 10:32a Outreach Services received a call from Health Start in Tampa. Case manager described a situation of patient who is mentally ill on disability who is pregnant and expecting in 3 weeks. The case manager asked if their was an assisted living facility anywhere in Florida that could accommodate the patient and her baby? The patient needs housing afer the babies birth as she wants to raise her child. The case manager asked for help. FALC HISTORY: Walked the case worker step by step to the FALC website at www.floridaassistedlivingcoalition.com had her click on "about us" and click on the drop down screen that says "community partners" - once on the Community Partners page, she was told to look for New Lifestyles and click on that name which will hyper link her into their web site. The case manager was told to KEY in assisted living and then put in the zip code of the patient and a listing of ALF's in her area will appear. The Coalition Volunteer explained by calling those facilities - the case worker will identify a potential home experienced with managing mental illness in the Tampa area. The Volunteer asked the Case Manager to call our hot line back in 48 hours if no success and FALC will help find a place in West Palm Beach Florida that will accommodate the patient and her soon to be new born.
Hi Michael, Here are our answers to Nancy's questions: WHAT do I need to watch for and what are the DONT'S? There is a portion on the form that asks for mother to have had a phsical, make sure that you have all the supporting documentation that those tests have been completed such as a chest xray, blood sugar level and vital signs. Make sure that you investigate every question to provide an answer. If you don't answer something it will delay your application and that would delay mother getting on the program. Don't be nice and patient, patients is only a good thing when time is on your side, in health care you have to be on top of your game, the Squeaky Wheel gets the Oil First! The frequency of your calls should be once or even twice a day and if you can't reach the one responsible for processing, call their supervisor and be aggressive... Does your organization have ANY attorneys on board that have more reasonable fees to help get someone approved for Medicaid Diversion Program? No. However go to our web links and you will see a variety of businesses who participate in our network. Attorney's in general help to navigate the system and are usually the best way to go. In most cases the attorney will accept your case and also accept payment arrangement. Can you help with guiding us toward the Nursing Home Diversion Program? Yes. We recently came to an agreement with the Claims and Credentialling Department with a Diversion Program Provider. You must tell them that Michael Dane, our President of Florida Assisted Living Coalition referred you for assistance. Call Frances De Polanco of Little Havana Centers for Diversion Benefits. Frances can be reached at (954) 270-8452. She can help you with the application process. If gettng mother approves means moving her to an area where "Little Havana Centers for Diversion Benefits" provides services that might be a bridge for you and your mother to cross. You wont know until you reach out and speak to Frances De Polanco. Have you considered partnering with a couple of attorneys to assist clients? We try to guide people in the direction they need to go, but the ultimate decision leans back to the individual. Our web link page lists a number of groups that are posted on that page and people have called on them for support or assistance. We have not received any conflicts with the attorney's posted.
Roslyn is 84 and legally blind. Rosyln called FALC because she needed help at home bathing & help with her medications. FALC RESPONSE: FALC FOUND A DOCTOR TO MAKE HOUSE CALLS. AMaking it much more convenient for Roslyn so she doesn't have to find a ride to the doctor and he comes right to her apartment. The doctor did blood work which concluded that Roslyn's diabetes needed to be addressed as pills just were not doing the trick anymore. is diabetic and because of her impaired vision, the eye doctor helped Rosyln by enrolling her in a program called "low vision" which teaches her to see out of the part of her eye that is not degenerative. The medical doctor was able to arrange for home health to teach Roslyn how to manage her own insulin and maintain her independence. A home health agency monitors her blood sugar and sends a certified nursing assistant 3 times a week to help with a bath, covered by insurance. These are just a few of the many stories that make the Florida Assisted Living Coalition Community Outreach program distinctive and vibrant. We can help and will be relentless leaving no stone unturned. Florida Assisted Living Coalition’s IN TAKE coordinator will contact the family member, friend, senior or disabled adult in need. Our coordinators can help manage the situation. To qualify for this program you must be collecting social security or on disability. You’ll find the same unwavering commitment to serve seniors and disabled adults from each and every service provider associated with FALC. We believe that nothing is more rewarding than making a difference in a life. So when our clients tell us that we’re their second family, we understand — because we feel that way too. Florida Assisted Living Coalition Community Outreach IS A FREE SERVICE, WE DO NOT CHARGE FOR ATTEMPTING TO HELP YOU CALL from anywhere (800) 939-2650
Education, Outreach & Programs Email: outreachFALC@aol.com CALL from anywhere (800) 939-2650
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Dear Michael and Nina, There are no words to express the level of my gratitude to you both for hosting me on your speaker line-up yesterday. Your warm welcome and support was felt by my heart and I am totally honored. Although the time was short for a presentation, I felt deeply welcomed and also respected for my presentation even though the topic was perhaps a stretch for many members. Each of you presented such a positive, upbeat viewpoint of natural integrative medicine/Bach Flowers before and during my talk, that you obviously opened the minds and hearts of your members. I am eternally grateful! If you think that I was able to offer something of value, please let me know how I can continue to help. Sending love and blessings, Alicia Bringing you the essence of healing... ********************************************** The Alicia Sirkin, BFRP, Cert. QEC Pract. Tel: 1-888-875-6753 Email: alicia@flowerhealing.com Website: www.flowerhealing.com
................................................ Lori's mom died peacfully at 5:45a. michael, you have no idea how you helped me, just e-mailing your calm knowledgable words . Taking care of all the issues that surrounded mom's end of life by guiding us to find an assisted living to take great care of her. Helping to ensure her medical care was the best and even handling details with mom's social security. I read here earlier this year and agree that the work you do is a wonderful. You help to people in such difficult times. you should always remember that you make it much easier for us because we have no idea where to start. Thank you a hundred times over!
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These are TRUE stories...
In November of 2009, Jack (a holocaust survivor) was diagnosed with Stage 3 Cancer in Nov 2009, Jack had been our client before and we helped him earliear last year. His daughter visited and found her father not managing well at home and asked FALC to help identify an Assisted Living facility nearby to wear he and his girlfriend lived. In addition his daugther asked us to find a hospice that could follow and provide him care and supportive services since her father decided not to fight with chemo treatments. FALC RESPONSE: Patient was referred to two hospice providers and the family made a decision to use Hospice by the Sea. They came in and managed his medication needs and saw to it that he had a caregiver come 3 times a week to help bath him. The family was directed to go tour assisted living facilities in Margate, Pompano Beach and Deerfield. After an extensive search the Family decided on a facility in Margate only 5 minutes away from supportive friends and family who can visit him frequently. Jack had been doing very well at the facility. He went to the dining room for meals and the facility managed his medications, while at the assisted living Hospice came in 3 times a week to help with bathing and daily to manage his vitals. The week of February 22, 2010 Jack started receiving physical therapy that should help to increase his strength and appetite. The facility was very pleasant and met his personal needs. In April 2010, Jack's condition started to decline and he past away later that month. His family has comfort knowing that his needs where attended to and we are glad that we were here to help them when they needed us the most.
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