Coverage of aging is supported in part by AARP Arizona
The Alzheimer's Association in Phoenix has been wanting to hear from family caregivers about their experiences with memory care facilities.
On Wednesday, the Phoenix chapter hosted a virtual listening session with families and long-term care staff. Tory Roberg is the director of government affairs with the Alzheimer’s Association.
"Staffing shortages and lack of staff training is the top complaint we heard today. Families are concerned with the cost of memory care. Many ALTCS applicants are denied. Most families can’t afford the cost of care to begin with. And applying for ALTCS is so complicated, to do it successfully usually requires the assistance of a lawyer," Roberg said.
ALTCS is Arizona’s long-term care Medicaid program. Roberg says Families also talked about evictions.
"Some facilities are accepting residents even if they can't meet their needs, which results in involuntary discharges when the resident's dementia symptoms are more than the facility is equipped to handle. Then families and residents find themselves in crisis to try to find another home on short notice," Roberg said.
Gov. Katie Hobbs has said she intends to increase regulation of facilities that care for dementia patients.
