Florida Assisted Living Coalition

Education, Enrichment & Empowerment of Healthcare Professionals

Testimonials

TESTIMONIAL

Peggy is 81 and and has a bad shoulder from a fall she had 4 years ago. Peggy heard about FALC from a visitng nurse she needed help at home bathing plus she needed someone to setup her pill planner.

FALC RESPONSE: FALC sent out a doctor to Peggy's house. In a couple of days she had another visitor from an agency who setup her medications in her pill planner and monitored the planner to ensure she was taking her meds as asigned by her doctor. The agency also found a therapist to visit her at her home a few times a week helping her to gain better strength and range of motion. The outcome after a few weeks, Peggy started feeling better and ultimately became stronger and more independent. The care was covered by insurance and if ever she needs help she knows who to call!

This is one of 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 Healthy Connections Personal Support Services

Two Women

Education, Outreach & Programs

Email: outreachFALC@aol.com

CALL from anywhere (800) 939-2650

........

Dear Pam:

Thank you for taking time to help me with my my mother's

VA Spousal application for the Aid & Attendance. You gave me

much information, told me what documents I would need to

attach, plus walked me throught the process. I think once I

complete the application and send it in. My mother should

get her benefits - god willing. I really appreciate your time and

feel so blessed to have you in our corner. Sincerely,

Teresa Lyn

**********************************************

Daughter of Spouse of Veteran


To:	MichaeldaneALM

................................................

Gayle's dad passed away 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 dad's end of life by guiding us to find an assisted living to take great care of him. Helping to ensure him medical care was the best and even handling details with dad'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!

Subject:

sunday

Date:

12/4/2011 02:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

From:

Gayle Walker

Reply To:
To:	michaeldanealm@aol.com
CC:
BCC:
Sent on:

................................................

Dear Michael,

As you know our cousin Parents Robert and Victoria is a difficult case since he is blind and she has Alzheimer's. While we struggle to make ends meet I just want you know how much we appreciated all your help. I wanted you to be the first to know the VA application that you helped us to understand was approved and we are receiving $1949 a month which will help out with a caregiver and maybe we can have something other then chicken or pasta for dinner. You really are a lifesaver, the staff at Florida Assisted Living Coalition went out of your way to help us and we are so grateful. On behalf of our family - we THANK YOU. Bruce Devlin and Family 8/2/2011

Dear Carole (Oct 2011)

As a volunteer at Florida Assisted Living Coalition it was so nice of you to help me transfer my brother from Singer Island to an Assisted Living Facility in Broward. Ted is a Paranoid schizophrenic . I was not comfortable transporting him alone and you being a LCSW handled him and the situation beautifully. As we attempted to navigate the Florida assisted living options for Walter we found it extremely difficult to find a solution because of his disabilities and limited funds.

As we searched for a solution to Walter’s problem we were directed to Florida Assisted Living Coalition and within days received a phone call from you. You were able to introduce us to three local facilities that met his criteria. It is encouraging to know that there are devoted people like you and your organization available when people do not know where to turn for help.

Assisted Living Coalition is an excellent resource that provided us support at a very difficult time. You also connected us with a VETERAN ADVOCATE, who is providing help in obtaining additional financial support for Walter.

We certainly would consider your organization for help in the future. Keep up the good work!

Thank you.

Candice

These are TRUE stories...

In April of 2011, Nate (a holocaust survivor) applied for the Aide and Attendance program with because of the advocacy by Florida Assisted Living Coalition. Nate 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 where dad's girlfriend lived. In addition his daugther asked us to find a doctor to visit the home and report back to her with his care and progress notes. In November of 2011 Nate was APPROVED for VA Aide and Attendance benefits!

FALC RESPONSE: Patient was referred to two medical house call groups and the family selected one that met his needs. The family selected a retirement community and FALC negotiated the rate to ensure that it was n Nate's budget. FALC monitored the Veterans claim and made sure he had all the necessary documentation before he sent in his VA application. The family was directed to go tour assisted living facilities in Tamarac, Pompano Beach and Sunrise. After an extensive search the Family decided on a facility in 5 minutes away from supportive friends and family who visit him frequently. Nate's family has comfort knowing that his needs are attended to and we are glad that we were here to help them when they needed us the most.

From: specklesandme@bellsouth.net
To: Outreachfalc@aol.com
Sent: 10/31/2011 9:04:12 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time
Subj: Re: FALC Meeting Reminder 11-4

Michael,

You sat by me for a brief moment at the Long Term Care Conference held in Deerfield on 10/18 which was a wonderful conference and a great value. I registered early so it cost me only $39.00 - received 12 credits toward my insurance agents license, breakfast and lunch day one, plus breakfast day two and snacks. How you guys could offer so much for so little is AMAZING but very much appreciated.

As an elderlaw attorney who also has a background in LTCi it was a great conference.

I plan on joining your fine organization within the next few weeks.

If there is anything I can do for you, please let me know.

I look forward to formally introducing myself to you at the next FALC meeting.

Best regards,

Lisa Kline Goldstein, JD

LKG LAW, P.A.

Special Services provided for the frail and disabled

CALL from Anywhere (800) 939-2650

Email: outreachFALC@aol.com

To qualify you must receive social security or be on disability. FALC Community Outreach lines are open Monday - Friday 8:80a. - 8:00p. We can introduce you to affordable Services that are arranged for your benefit maybe available 7 Days a week. FALC Community Outreach is serving Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Palm Beach, Broward and Miami

REAL STORIES of REAL PEOPLE

Subject:

Re: Sam Goldstein

Date:

6/5/2011 1:05:27 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

"We attended the Florida Assisted Living Coalition Annual Conference in Boca Raton, in April of this year. We learned so much about caring for a loved one it was not only interesting but gave us piece of mind because we have a brother who is 55 years old and suffers from a spastic palsy causing irratic movement and has him disabled struggling to remain at home."

Florida Assisted Living Coalition introduced us to a caregiver agency called CSI and they put someone with Sam daily 6 hours or more depending on what he wants to do - they keep him busy and managed all the paperwork with his long term care insurance. It really is piece of mind knowing his needs are met. Recently we contacted Chris a member of FALC and one of the owners of Alternative Care Solution. Chris connected us with a case manager that visits Sam at home a couple times a week to check on him and see that he is happy. As happy as Sam can be. We live out in Tampa and Sam is in Broward. So it is a lifesaver having a team look after him. Of course none of this would have happened it not for Florida Assisted Living Coalition. I recommend them highly.

Affectionately,

Illana

FALC HISTORY: Illana contacted us and we were able to connect her with a team that established a careplan to monitor and provide daily support for her brother. While Sam still is living independently at home, we are watching him with an endearing eye and ready to step in at a moments notice to help.

Subj. Hi Michael

Hi Michael

Date:

5/7/2011 2:21:08 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time

From:

Kathy Keating Kay

Reply To:
To:	MichaeldaneALM

I just wanted to let you know that the conference was spot on. Your speakers were terrific and the way you handled all the details was truly as professional as any national conference I have ever attended. It will be a pleasure to support your speakers panel in the future. Please keep me in mind.

Stay well and enjoy your summer.

Regards,

Kathy

5-12-11, 1:59p

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,
My dilema is obtaining the Medicaid Diversion Program for my mom and getting the application process started.

I spoke to you a few weeks ago and you kindly provided me with approximately 8 different county phone numbers so that I could obtain the FORM for my mother's diversion program application. I phoned you back that NO ONE would mail the form and INSISTED that they ONLY take names and information to place on their waiting list.

At the time I then asked you for attorney referrals. The costs for attorneys to handle the process is $1700 from most, which I am not in a financial position to handle as my husband just lost his job. These attorneys basically prefer clients with hefty estates and/or assets, which I am sure provides them with greater fees due to billing hours. So, I am asking for further information. Perhaps the "dos and don'ts" to put on the form ONCE they start the process. If I just place her on the waiting list, they will then have someone see her and perform an accessment. At that time I would assume that there will be a form to fill out. WHAT do I need to watch for and what are the DON'TS? Does your organization have ANY attorneys on board that have more reasonable fees to help get someone approved for Medicaid Diversion Program? I don't care what area they are in. We are in Tampa, but I am willing to work with any attorney anywhere. Can you help with this?

Michael, I have been a caregiver for my mother for almost 10 years. I have dealt with insurance companies, hospital trauma units, Medicare, and extensive services pertaining to the elderly. I have volunteered for the St. Vincent de Paul Society for 5 years, I worked with Medicare supplemental Insurance for 2 years (licensed insurance agent), sold Medicaid Insurance for Amerigroup and Citrus Care for a combined 3 years, and highly appreciate and respect what Florida Assisted Living Coaliton is doing.

I am sure that your organization is always looking for partners to assist your coalition, have you considered partnering with a couple of attorneys to assist clients? Maybe they would agree to a fee structure affordable for those that are financially strapped. They may benefit by some that do have large assets. Just a thought.

Thank you for your assistance.

Nancy Ford
POA for Annie C. Beesly

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.

Education, Outreach & Programs

Email: outreachFALC@aol.com