I hold a Master’s Degree from the University of Arizona in Rehabilitation Counseling and am an Arizona State licensed marriage and family therapist. I have worked in health care and mental health services for all of those 30 years, primarily providing assessments and recommendations for services. I have been the admissions coordinator for two psychiatric/geriatric outpatient programs in Tucson hospitals. My husband is a psychiatric nurse at Saint Mary’s Hospital.

Higgins and Associates provides information and referral recommendations to those seeking alternative senior housing such as assisted living facilities or State licensed adult care homes or skilled nursing facilities.

Once information about a potential resident is received such as level of care/needs, location or side of town family resides in or how to make it easy for family to visit, income, social likes and dislikes and preferences, then we are able to determine some of the homes which may be a match.

Homes and facilities contact Higgins and Associates to inform us of availability on a daily basis and we also call the homes and facilities to pinpoint the best place for a potential resident.

At this point, information is given to the potential resident’s family, hospital discharge planner, social worker, case manager, Power of Attorney, etc. so that they may begin to visit some of the homes for themselves and decide if the homes are a “good fit” for their loved one. Transportation is also available to take families to some of the homes if required or desired.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I FIND THE RIGHT HOME?

It can be a fairly fast process to move into a home once the best home has been identified. Homes and facilities are always willing to give tours, seven days a week.

Usually a small deposit is required to hold the bed/room until the resident is able to move in. Small amounts of favorite furniture such as a recliner, bed, night stand, pictures, etc. are often comforting to residents and can be brought to a home by family but this is not necessary as most homes have the ability to furnish the rooms for the residents as well. Usually about a week’s worth of clothing is sufficient as laundry is done every day by the home.

Three meals and snacks, as well as laundry and utilities are provided and are part of the monthly rent. The State also requires that medications are locked up by the home and administered by staff. Families will need to provide and pay for medication, but often this can often be delivered to the home by the various pharmacies. Transportation to and from physicians is usually provided by the family but can also be arranged through the home when necessary.

Many homes offer music therapy, arts and crafts, movie nights, card playing, TV watching, games, etc. This is always based on all the residents in a home and what they prefer to do and is part of the process of deciding where a potential resident might like to live.

Payment for the home is made on the day the resident moves in and is on a month-to-month basis. There is usually a requirement to give a thirty day notice of intent to vacate. In the event that a resident should pass away, the unused portion of the month’s rent is usually refunded to the resident’s family.

Some homes and facilities are able and willing to do short-term stays (i.e. a weekend or a week or more) depending upon space availability so that a family can go on vacation or just take a break from care giving. This should be discussed with the home beforehand and is often easier to accommodate in the Summer versus peak time, which is often in the Winter.

WHY SHOULD I GO THROUGH A REFERRAL AGENT SUCH AS HIGGINS AND ASSOCIATES?

Probably the best reason to use an agent such as Higgins and Associates is because we have in depth knowledge of which homes can best accommodate your loved one’s care need. Also, we have personal relationships with the various homes and facilities and work closely with you and the homes to bridge the gap between the services they offer and the concerns you have regarding costs, needs, and questions in general. We are in the homes we represent often and will see your family member and you many times again. Your satisfaction and that of your loved one is our primary interest.