Long Term Care Resources

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Missouri Nursing Homes & Resources

Abuse of the Elderly & Adult Protective Services
Central Registry Unit (CRU)
800-392-0210 - Hot line

Elder mistreatment may be an act of abuse or neglect. It may be an intentional act that is a conscious attempt to inflict suffering or it may be unintentional because of inadequate knowledge, infirmity or inability to cope on the part of the person responsible. Elder abuse may include physical abuse, financial exploitation, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, self-neglect and neglect.

Missouri law provides that people who report or cooperate in an investigation, except the person who has abused or neglected the victim, are immune to criminal or civil liability. The identity of the reporter cannot be disclosed without the reporter's permission or by an order of the court. Anonymous reports are also accepted.

Advance Directives
Many people use a durable power of attorney for health care decisions (also known as a Health Care Directive) to designate another person to serve as their agent for the purpose of making health care decisions when they are unable to do so. Missouri law now clears up the uncertainty of whether health care providers can rely upon a consent given by an "attorney-in-fact" under a durable power of attorney.

In order for the form to be valid, it must be dated and signed in the presence of at least two witnesses who are at least eighteen years of age. Neither witness can be an agent, related to you by blood, marriage, or adoption, or entitled to any of your estate or directly responsible for your health care. As an alternative, the power may be acknowledged before a notary public.

The statute does contain a sample form that can be used, but you can also have an attorney draw up a form that meets your special needs. If you have questions, you should contact an attorney or a legal services provider in your area for more information, or contact:

• Mid-West Bioethics Center
  1021-1025 Jefferson Street
  Kansas City, MO 64105-1329
  816-221-1100

The Missouri Bar Association also has a booklet available that includes questions, answers, and a sample form with instructions. Single copies are available free of charge by writing to:

• Health Care Proxy Form
  The Missouri Bar
  PO Box 119
  Jefferson City, MO 65101
  573-635-4128

Alzheimers - Information & Support
Because Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementing illness and the fourth leading cause of death of adults, many think this is a disease that primarily affects senior citizens and is a normal process of aging. On the contrary, the disease of ten has a more devastating impact on the caregiver and family members than the victims themselves because of the emotional, physical and financial drain. To address these needs and help ease the burden, the Division of Senior Services works very closely with the Alzheimers Association Coalition in Missouri.

Missouri has five Alzheimers Chapters covering the entire state. These chapters provide education, resources and a wide range of support services for Alzheimers patients and their families. Locate chapter names and locations here.

Area Agency On Aging - Missouri Local Offices

Arthritis Program
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Chronic Disease Control
912 Wildwood Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
573-522-2860

The Missouri Arthritis program designates a statewide network of Regional Arthritis Centers. Regional Arthritis Centers (RACS) provide information and support for persons and families affected by arthritis and organize community support groups, arthritis Self-Help courses and land and aquatic exercise classes.

In addition, the RACS organize continuing education courses for physicians, nurses, and allied health professionals and offer public forums and general presentations to the public on state-of-the art care for rheumatic diseases.

Choosing A Long Term Care Facility, Missouri Guide For
The Missouri Division of Health Standards and Licensure, Section for Long-term Care Regulation licenses nursing and residential care facilities and provides regulations about minimum standards for construction, staffing, fire safety, diet and nursing care. Facilities must meet additional requirements in order to be certified for Medicare and Medicaid. Information about inspections and licensure is available to the public.

Guide For Seniors - Missouri
Missouri's site with links to numerous resources for seniors, including, but not limited to:

• Financial Assistance
• Health Care
• Home & Community Services
• Long Term Care Facility Services
• Housing

Health & Senior Services, Department of
Section for Long Term Care
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
3418 Knipp Dr., Suite F
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Telephone: 573-526-8524
Fax: 573-751-8493
Email: info@dhss.mo.gov

The Department is responsible for inspecting and issuing state licenses to residential care facilities ( RCFI and RCFII ), intermediate care facilities ( ICF ), skilled nursing facilities ( SNF ), and long-term care units operating inside hospitals in the state. The Division also performs activities at intermediate care and skilled nursing facilities in order to certify them to provide services to eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. Complaints about regulatory violations in long-term care facilities and complaints about abuse or neglect of long-term care residents are also investigated by the Division.

You may report incidents of abuse or neglect in long-term care facilities by calling the Aging Hot line at 1-800-392-0210.

Legal Assistance
Many occasions may arise where you need the legal advice or representation offered by an attorney. These situations could range from denial of benefits all the way through estate planning. Knowing when you need assistance and where to turn is important.

When you have a legal question or need representation, you may want to contact the legal service corporation office in your area for assistance. Some of these offices are partially funded through the Older Americans Act and are staffed by attorneys with knowledge of senior citizen problems. The Older Americans Act funds received by these offices are intended to provide legal services to persons age 60 and over. Older persons who are in economic or social need are given priority. This site provides you a directory of local offices.

Medicaid - Missouri
Missouri Department of Social Services
221 West High Street
PO Box 1527
Jefferson City, MO 65102-1527
800-735-2466 - toll free
573-751-4815

Missouri provides Medicaid through basic categories of eligibility. You may be eligible for Medicaid if one of the following applies to you:

• you receive benefits from one of the following cash assistance programs: Temporary Assistance, Supplemental Aid to the Blind (SAB), Blind Pension (BP), General Relief (GR), or Supplemental Nursing Care (SNC);
• Nursing Care -- Persons in licensed nursing homes;
• Aid to The Blind -- Provides assistance to needy blind persons
• you are a child (generally under age 18) whose family income is less than the limit established by Division of Family Services (limits vary based on age of child); you are age 65 or older, or blind or disabled, and have resources and adjusted income less than the limit established by Division of Family Services;
• you are age 65 or older, or blind or disabled, and your income exceeds the limit established by Division of Family Services. If you have high medical bills, you may be eligible on a spend-down basis (much like a quarterly deductible);
• you are a Part A Medicare beneficiary, and your income and resources are below the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) limit established by Division of Family Services. You may qualify for payment of Part A and Part B Medicare premiums, co-insurance and deductibles for Medicare covered services; or
• you meet the QMB requirements except for income. If your income is below the Specified Low-Income Medicare Beneficiary (SLMB) limit, or the limits for a Qualifying Individual-1 (QI-1), or a Qualifying Individual-2 (QI-2), you may qualify for payment of all or a portion of your Part B Medicare premiums.

You may apply for Medicaid at your local Division of Family Services office. There are other eligibility categories other than long term care assistance - not list here.

Missouri Coalition for Quality Care, The
The Missouri Coalition for Quality Care is a non-profit statewide organization concerned with the care and protection of Missouri's older and disabled persons residing in long-term care facilities or are home care patients.

Ombudsman Program - Missouri
State LTC Ombudsman
Department of Health & Senior Services
2023 St. Mary's Boulevard
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-526-0727 or 800-309-3282

The Missouri ombudsman program consists of volunteers serving residents of nursing homes and residential care facilities to provide support and assistance with any problems or complaints. An excellent resource.

Regulations - State
Missouri's Code of State Regulations (CSRs) - Long Term Care

Regulations - Federal CFRs (Code of Federal Regulations)
Title 42--Public Health
Part 483--Requirements For States And Long Term Care Facilities

Senior RX Program
The cost of prescription drugs is rising at a tremendous rate and senior citizens are particularly at risk. The Missouri SenioRx Program is a new program that assists seniors in handling these rapidly rising costs. The 2002 enrollment period ended May 30, 2002. Seniors who turn 65 between July 1, 2002 and June 30, 2003 may apply for the program within 30 days of their birth date.

Applications for enrollment will be accepted January 1, 2003, through February 28, 2003 — Benefits begin July 1, 2003.
During the enrollment period, you may pick up an application at your local pharmacy or Area Agency on Aging.
For more information, call the toll-free Missouri SenioRx Program hot line at 1-866-556-9316 or an Area Agency on Aging.

There is an independent prescription drug program which allows eligible persons to receive legend drugs at no charge or a nominal fee. You can receive further information about this program by calling Community Leaders Assisting the Insured of Missouri (CLAIM) at 1-800-390-3330. They will assist you with the application process.

Survey Results - State Licensure & Life Safety Code Information
Searchable by county, zip code, or city. Outstanding resource available from Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.

Survey Results - Federal
Medicare's Nursing Home Compare Site

Veteran's Commission, The Missouri
1719 Southridge Drive
PO Drawer 147
Jefferson City, MO 65102
573-751-3779
866-838-4636 - Toll Free
e-mail: movets@mvc.dps.mo.gov

The Missouri Veterans Commission operates five veterans' homes which offer long-term skilled nursing care for Missouri veterans. These homes are located in:

• Cameron
• Cape Girardeau
• Mexico
• Mount Vernon
• St. James
• St. Louis
• Warrensburg

Application forms for admission to any of these homes may be obtained from any Missouri Veterans Home, a Missouri Veterans Service Officer, the Missouri Veterans Commission office in Jefferson City, or the social service offices of the VA Hospitals in St. Louis, Columbia, Kansas City, Poplar Bluff and Fayetteville, Arkansas.

For more information about medical and long-term care benefits, you may contact the Veterans Administration at 1-800-827-1000 or on the web at www.va.gov.

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