By Humberto Fortuna MA, MS
South Florida is the Sunshine State, and it is loved by many seniors and their families due to the lovely warm weather year around. It is not news that many people choose to retire in Florida. Now, many of the younger generation moves to Florida sooner than their parents did.
Trying to understand the healthcare industry in the United States is crucial and complicated at the same time; especially when we are trying to relocate or transition from one location to another.
Since 1999, I’ve been assisting families with information on Florida Senior Care Benefits and Services, to include Veteran’s Benefits Resources and Solutions for South Florida.
My commitment is to provide focalized assistance to clients and families in need of a brief intervention while transitioning through new situations, problems, or disabilities, as well as transitioning to a New Location.
In my 25 years as a Geriatric Specialist in Southeast Florida, I have helped clients and families navigate the healthcare system and coordinate psychosocial, clinical and financial programs, assisting you and your loved ones as they go through transition.
Considering the possibility of bringing Mom, Dad or a loved one from out of state, out of the area or country, is challenging and mind boggling.
One of the things I specialize in is the coordination of Benefits and Services needed in the state of Florida for a smooth transition.
Every state and country may require re-applying for new services or benefit programs. Most benefit programs are based on state regulations and differ from state to state, as well as from country to country.
My objective is to provide the correct information, services and resources while helping you to achieve your objectives and solve problems while finding an Assisted Living Facility or Senior Housing such as an Independent Living Facility, or an Alzheimer’s Dementia Care Unit.
So…… let me personally guide you, step by step, or as I always tell my clients, one step at the time. Together, we will find the appropriate Senior Housing for your loved one. Together we will work on what you need in order to bring your loved one to your area.
It is very important to know that all Senior Housing and Assisted Living Facilities in Florida must have a written Admission Criteria Policy, by regulation. Since all Assisted Living Facilities in Southeast Florida must be regulated and surveyed to provide care to its residents, an Admission Criteria Policy should be included in your contract, so you will know what is allowed and what is not. You should know what services the community will be able to, or is capable of providing. You should not waste your time, driving around without the information you must have and know before visiting a community.
In some cases, the criteria for being admitted into an Assisted Living Facility is as simple as a person being able to transfer from one chair to another with assistance. This is required for some facilities, but not for every facility. The idea of being in an Assisted Living Facility is for the resident to be able to assist in completing an Activity of Daily Living task. The purpose of an Assisted Living Facility is to “ASSIST,” not to actually DO the task for the resident.
Assisted Living Facility Admission Criteria are not only based on clinical aspects, but on many other issues, such as safety. A prospective resident must be physically able to exit the building, with assistance, in a fire drill, or any other emergency situation.
In some cases, Assisted Living Facilities in Broward County will not admit people even if they can transfer. Knowing beforehand, what type of license the community has is vital and why you should be working with Placement Counselors Corp. If you are given places to tour by Placement Counselors, you will KNOW before you go if the place is the correct one to bring your loved one.
Before bringing the person physically near you, Health Care Insurance coverage will be imperative and necessary, as well as other benefit programs that may apply to your loved one. These are things to keep in mind, as well as many other things to consider.
Placement Counselors is just a phone call away and I can help you, free of charge, select Senior Housing or Assisted Living in Southeast Florida.
I will be able to assist you in determining whether a small or a large Assisted Living Facility is appropriate your loved one. I specialize in Southeast Florida, concentrating in Miami Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
Placement Counselors Corp., under my supervision, Humberto Fortuna MA, MS – Geriatric Specialist advocates for quality care. All the facilities we represent are licensed and certified with the State of Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
Broward: (954) 965-2925 - Miami Dade: (305) 931-0618 Palm Beach: (561) 329-4337
You will be assigned to a counselor who knows your desired area. Give us a call and let one of our Counselors near you help you with your questions and concerns.
PCC and 55+ Magazine is part of the local Networking system in Southeast Florida and with the following establishments: Nursing Homes, Rehabilitation Services, Group Homes for Seniors, Adult Family Care Homes, Dementia Care Units, Retirement Homes, Senior Care Facilities, Home Nursing Care, Retirement Facilities, Senior Living Communities, Assisted living Homes, Senior Living Facilities, Home for Elderly, Assisted living Apartments Near You, In Home Nursing Services, Care Facility for the Elderly, Senior Care Assistance, Elder Care home Care, Elder Care home Services, Senior Living Communities, Secured mental Health Care License Facilities. Memorial Healthcare System | Memorial Healthcare System - MHS With numerous locations in South Florida, its Memorial Regional Hospital, Memorial Regional Hospital South, Memorial Hospital West, Memorial Hospital Miramar, Memorial Hospital Pembroke, Memorial Pembroke 24/7 Emergency Care Center, Memorial Primary Care, Memorial Urgent Care Center, Memorial Manor, Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital https://baptisthealth.net/ Baptist Health Hospital | Doral, Baptist Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Bethesda Hospital West, Boca Raton Regional Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, South Miami Hospital, West Kendall Baptist Hospital Broward Health Hospitals: www.browardhealth.org/ Broward Health Medical Center, Broward Health North, Broward Health Imperial Point, Broward Health Coral Springs, Salah Foundation Children's Hospital at Broward Health