Tip – If you are looking for a long-term care facility be sure to do your research to find a facility that will meet your needs.

The most common long-term care facilities are skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and assisted living facilities (ALFs). Here are the differences between SNFs and ALFs.

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs)

• Provide 24-hour medical care supervised by licensed nurses
• Offer short-term rehabilitation services and long-term care
• Have medical professionals on staff (registered nurses, physical therapists)
• Typically have a more clinical, hospital-like setting
• Provide specialized medical services like IV therapy, wound care, and complex medication management
• Residents generally require a higher level of medical care and assistance with most activities of daily living

Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs)

• Provide housing, personal care, and support services
• Focus on assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, medication reminders)
• Less intensive medical oversight than SNFs
• Promote more independent living in a home-like environment
• Typically offer private or semi-private apartments or rooms
• Residents generally require less medical intervention but need some assistance with daily activities

The Idaho Administrative Code (IDAPA) for skilled nursing facilities is found in 16.03.02: “Skilled Nursing Facilities.”

The law governing assisted living facilities is found in Idaho Code Title 39, Chapter 33: “Idaho Residential Care or Assisted Living Act” and Idaho Administrative Code (IDAPA) 16.03.22: “Residential Assisted Living Facilities.”

The Licensing Authority in Idaho for Long Term Care Facilities is the Department of Health & Welfare Bureau of Facility Standards for Licensing and Certification. The phone number for skilled nursing facilities is (208) 334-6626. The phone number for assisted living facilities is (208) 334-1962.

Another source of information is the Idaho Ombudsman Program. An ombudsman is an advocate for residents in long term care facilities, including both skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. The ombudsman provides information to residents and their families about long-term care options.

The program operates under the Idaho Commission on Aging and has regional offices throughout the state to serve residents in all areas of Idaho. The phone number for the Idaho Falls office is (208) 522-5391 and the phone number for the Pocatello office is (208) 233-4032.

Moving a loved one to a long-term care facility is a significant transition for a family and should be approached with patience, compassion, and thorough research.

View our “Senior’s Guide to a Well-Planned Future” on our website! Packer Elder Care Law – with you for life!

Tom Packer is an Elder Law Attorney serving all Southeast Idaho. As part of his law practice, Tom offers Life Care Planning to deal with the challenges created by long-term illness, disability and incapacity. If you have a question about a Senior’s legal, financial or healthcare needs, please call us.

March 2025

Tip –There are many enjoyable ways to remain active.

In an article by the American Heart Association, it states, “There are many reasons why staying active is one of the best things you can do to keep your body healthy—no matter what your age. It can also improve your overall wellbeing and quality of life.”

“The idea is to move more and sit less. Every minute of moderate to vigorous activity is helpful. You don’t have to make big changes to see the benefits. Staying active helps delay or prevent chronic illnesses and diseases associated with aging. You can start by building more activity into your day, one step at a time.” (American Heart Association,” Healthy for Good”)

We all know walking is a great way to get moving. There is nothing better than a nature ‘walk and talk’ with a friend. Senior Centers often offer exercise classes and trip opportunities. I have gotten hooked on Chair Volleyball, offered at the Blackfoot Senior Center. Each team has 6 players with the players sitting on chairs and volleying a beachball across a low net. People in wheelchairs love to
participate. We play twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays at 9:00 AM. Chair volleyball gives us the opportunity to stay active, have fun, and connect with friends, helping us to feel happier and less stressed. We welcome all who would like to join us!

In Southeast Idaho, every year Pocatello hosts the “Senior Games.” This is designed with the goal of staying active in mind! This takes place every July, and it includes a variety of competitive, friendly events you can choose to be a part of. Basketball, tennis, pickleball, and chair volleyball are just a few of them. Chair Volleyball was a new event last year in the Pocatello Senior Games and is
spreading to other Senior Centers in the area.

If you want to improve your quality of life—stay active. Consider finding something you enjoy, and like the Nike motto says: “Just do it.”

View our “Senior’s Guide to a Well-Planned Future” on our website! Packer Elder Care Law – with you for life!

Tom Packer is an Elder Law Attorney serving all Southeast Idaho. As part of his law practice, Tom offers Life Care Planning to deal with the challenges created by long-term illness, disability and incapacity. If you have a question about a Senior’s legal, financial or healthcare needs, please call us.

February 2024

Tip – Caregivers may use available resources for help and support.

Being a caregiver can be a wonderful blessing, as well as a tremendous challenge. It can give you a new perspective on life and help you to love others more fully. It also shows those you care for the love that still exists in the world. On the other hand, being a caregiver requires things that are difficult—like merging schedules, constantly putting someone else first, and dealing with their struggles, pains, and emotions, while keeping your own in check.

One of the services Packer Elder Care Law provides is to connect people who have a need to the resources that can help and support them. Thankfully, there are resources to go to for help, both online and in person. Many resources are free and have various time schedules. Some of these resources include joining a support group or taking a class to learn how to be a better caregiver and how to take care of yourself at the same time. These resources can teach you effective ideas such as teaming up with someone—like a family member or a friend—so that the time, energy, and responsibility in caring for someone is shared.

The Pocatello Area Agency on Aging is offering a class, free of charge, for anyone who would like to attend. The classes are held every Wednesday, starting January 24 — February 28, 2024. The same class is given twice a day – one from 2:00- 3:30pm, and one from 7:00-8:30pm. Here is a list of the classes that are being taught:

Jan 24
1. Taking Care of You

Jan 31
2. Identifying & Reducing Personal Stress

Feb 7
3. Communicating Feelings, Needs, & Concerns

Feb 14
4. Communicating in Challenging Situations

Feb 21
5. Learning from our Emotions

Feb 28
6. Mastering Caregiving Decisions

The classes are held virtually, via Zoom, and each class has handouts as well as a
Caregiver’s Help Book.

The class is sponsored by grants through the Area Agency on Aging and is taught by Ann Harrild and Jamie Ramsayer. For more information on the class and how to register, call or text Ann Harrild at 208-530-0844, or call the Pocatello Area Agency on Aging at 208-233-4032.

Here is a flyer on the classes being offered.

P.S. Disregard the incorrect year of 2023.

View our “Senior’s Guide to a Well-Planned Future” on our website! Packer Elder Care Law – with you for life!

Tom Packer is an Elder Law Attorney serving all Southeast Idaho. As part of his law practice, Tom offers Life Care Planning to deal with the challenges created by long-term illness, disability and incapacity. If you have a question about a Senior’s legal, financial or healthcare needs, please call us.

January 2024

Tip – Interact with others, contribute, and enjoy life.

“As we age, physical changes—such as discomfort, illness or frailty—are simply the most visible of a host of other changes. You also may notice emotional fluctuations such as loneliness, anxiety or sadness. As we grow older, our amount of stress often increases while our ability to deal with it decreases.” (Caring For Aging Loved Ones, Henry Holstege, Ph.D and Robert Riekse, Ph.D., pg. 184)

Maintaining relationships with family and friends is very important and can help us handle the emotional challenges we face. Humans are social creatures and need to be around other people and have meaningful interactions. Where can these meaningful interactions be found? There are many answers to that question, including family, friends, neighbors, and religious fellowship. You might
also go to your local Senior Center and ask about the activities and services that are provided there.

Let your family and those around you know that you would like visits or phone calls. Interactions with others keeps loneliness at bay and helps you maintain independence. A luncheon, a trip to the grocery store, or even a phone call can make a huge difference.

As a senior citizen, there is still much you can contribute. I know of one elderly lady who was feeling lonely, so she decided to call other seniors from the Senior Center on their birthdays. There are also many opportunities to contribute to the community through humanitarian projects, food distribution, and other worthwhile activities.

Aging gracefully is being able to successfully master life changes and stresses
and find a way to keep contributing and enjoying life.

View our “Senior’s Guide to a Well-Planned Future” on our website! Packer Elder Care Law – with you for life!

Tom Packer is an Elder Law Attorney serving all Southeast Idaho. As part of his law practice, Tom offers Life Care Planning to deal with the challenges created by long-term illness, disability and incapacity. If you have a question about a Senior’s legal, financial or healthcare needs, please call us.

October 2023

Tip – It’s that time of year! Understand your options and plan choices!

The annual Medicare Open Enrollment period is upon us! During open enrollment, individuals can make changes to their Medicare Part D prescription drug plans and change or enroll in Medicare Advantage plans.

This annual open enrollment period lasts from October 15th to December 7th and any changes you make will be reflected starting in January 2024. For example, if you decide to change your prescription drug plan during open enrollment, the new plan will be effective on January 1, 2024.

Why might you want to make a change to your prescription drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan? Some people choose to change plans if they have high prescription drug costs with prescriptions that are not covered under their current Part D plan’s formulary (the plan’s list of covered drugs). Some people also may change plans if they are paying a high monthly premium for their plan but have few medications and may be able to enroll in a plan with a lower monthly premium. Still others may change a Medicare Advantage plan if they have been dissatisfied with their current plan.

What if you are satisfied with your current coverage? If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Part D prescription plan or a Medicare Advantage plan and you are satisfied with your coverage, you do not need to do anything during open enrollment. Your coverage will automatically enroll for the coming year. Just remember, many plans will make changes to their coverage each year, so it is still a good idea to review your plan information.

Individuals who have a Medigap plan where Medicare pays 80% of their hospital and doctor costs and the Medigap policy pays the additional 20% of the costs, can make changes to their plan or change their insurance carrier under the Birthday Rule. The Birthday Rule provides that individuals with a Medigap policy may make changes to their policy for 63 days from the date of their Birthday.

Sometimes plans will discontinue service in your area and you may receive a non-renewal notice from the plan. If this occurs, or if you simply want to review your options, contact your local SHIBA office (1-800-247-4422 – SHIBA Medicare Helpline), your insurance agent, or go online to www.medicare.gov to review your plan options and choose a different plan that meets your needs.

View our “Senior’s Guide to a Well-Planned Future” on our website! Packer Elder Care Law – with you for life!

Tom Packer is an Elder Law Attorney serving all Southeast Idaho. As part of his law practice, Tom offers Life Care Planning to deal with the challenges created by long-term illness, disability and incapacity. If you have a question about a Senior’s legal, financial or healthcare needs, please call us.

September 2023

Tip – A Will with a Special Needs Trust protects the assets of your spouse who is on Medicaid.

If you are married and your spouse needs help with his or her care—whether in a facility or in your own home—you may apply for Medicaid to help pay for their care. Once your spouse is on Medicaid, if you pass away before your spouse does and all your assets go to him or her, it will put your spouse over Medicaid’s asset limit of $2,000, and they will no longer be eligible to receive Medicaid. It is a little known fact that if you have a spouse who is receiving Medicaid, you can write a Will with a Special Needs Trust. If you have a Special Needs Trust for your spouse, your assets go into a Trust instead of going to your spouse. This keeps your spouse from losing his or her eligibility for Medicaid.

A Will with a Special Needs Trust works just like a regular Will, except it protects the assets of your spouse who is on Medicaid. The Trust funds may be used to supplement the needs of your spouse over and above their care, support, and maintenance. The Trust can be used to cover medical services not covered by Medicaid. In addition, the Trust can make expenditures for travel, companionship, cultural experiences, recreational activities, sporting activities, trips, hobby
materials, furnishings, or personal needs—anything that will enhance the quality of life of your spouse. After your spouse passes, the assets in the Trust are subject to Estate Recovery.

In conclusion, if you pass away before your spouse who is on Medicaid, a Special Needs Trust, written in your Will, can protect your assets and be used to enhance your spouse’s quality of life.

View our “Senior’s Guide to a Well-Planned Future” on our website! Packer Elder Care Law – with you for life!

Tom Packer is an Elder Law Attorney serving all Southeast Idaho. As part of his law practice, Tom offers Life Care Planning to deal with the challenges created by long-term illness, disability and incapacity. If you have a question about a Senior’s legal, financial or healthcare needs, please call us.

August 2023

Tip – Why not reconcile with someone this Holiday Season?

I have always been intrigued by the story of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Here is the story as told by the History Channel.

https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/thomas-jefferson-and-john-adams-die

Former Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Adams—who were once fellow Patriots and then adversaries—died on the same day, July 4, 1826, within five hours of each other.

Thomas Jefferson and John Adams were the last surviving members of the original American revolutionaries who had stood up to the British empire and forged a new political system in the former colonies. However, while they both believed in democracy and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, their opinions on how to achieve these ideals diverged over time.

Adams preceded Jefferson as president (1797-1800); it was during this time that their ideas about policymaking became as distinct as their personalities. The irascible and hot-tempered Adams was a firm believer in a strong centralized government, while the erudite and genteel Jefferson believed federal government should take a more hands-off approach and defer to individual states’ rights. As
Adam’s vice president, Jefferson was so horrified by what he considered to be Adam’s abuse of the presidency—particularly his passage of the restrictive Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798—that he abandoned Adams and Washington for his estate at Monticello, Virginia. There, he plotted how to bring his Republican faction back into power in the presidential election of 1800. After an exceptionally bitter campaign, in which Jefferson and Adams engaged in slanderous attacks on each
other in print, Jefferson emerged victorious. It appeared the former friends would be eternal enemies.

After Jefferson’s two presidential terms (1801-1809), Jefferson and Adams each expressed to third parties their respect for the other, and their desire to renew their friendship. Adams was the first to break the silence; he sent Jefferson a letter dated January 1, 1812, in which he wished Jefferson many happy new years to come. Jefferson responded with a note, in which he fondly recalled when they were fellow laborers in the same cause. The former revolutionaries went on to resume their friendship over 14 years of correspondence during their golden years.

On July 4, 1826, at the age of 90, Adams lay on his deathbed while the country celebrated Independence Day. His last words were, “Thomas Jefferson still survives.” He was mistaken: Jefferson had died five hours earlier at Monticello at the age of 83.

Epicurus said, “Of all the things which wisdom provides to make life entirely happy, much the greatest is the possession of friendship.” This Holiday Season may we mend a quarrel and remember a forgotten friend.

View our “Senior’s Guide to a Well-Planned Future” on our website! Packer Elder Care Law – with you for life!

Tom Packer is an Elder Law Attorney serving all Southeast Idaho. As part of his law practice, Tom offers Life Care Planning to deal with the challenges created by long-term illness, disability and incapacity. If you have a question about a Senior’s legal, financial or healthcare needs, please call us.

November 2022

Tip – Do you know what resources are available to help Seniors?

Many families, who provide care to a loved one, need help but don’t know where to find it. There are many resources available if you know where to look for them. For example, the Area Agency on Aging in Pocatello, also known as SICOG, has the following programs:

Idaho Lifespan Respite. Often, caregivers providing care to someone with a significant disability or chronic illness are unable to get out of the home to do shopping and other things they need to get done. Lifespan Respite gives caregivers a break. It allows the caregiver to hire someone and provides funds to pay for up to 10 hours of respite care a month. To be eligible the caregiver must be providing unpaid service to a loved one with whom they live or to whom they are providing frequent on-site visits throughout the day.

Additionally, Seniors, who live alone and do not have a caregiver, may qualify for 10 hours a month of in-home care at no cost to them.

Veteran-Directed Home & Community Based Services. Veterans in this program are given a flexible, monthly budget to help them hire personal care aides and buy items and services that will help them live independently in their own home. A care advisor from the local Area Agency on Aging will work with the Veteran to identify care needs and assist in developing a spending plan to obtain
the needed services.

Pro Age Connections. This program helps seniors who may need social contact. Volunteers reach out to those seniors by sending monthly post cards and making regular phone calls to seniors who sign up for the program.

Adult Protective Services. Adult Protective services protects vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. If you know a vulnerable adult who is not getting the care they need, adult protective services are available to assist.

\If you or your family feel that you may qualify for some of these services, contact your Area Agency on Aging. They are located at 214 East Center Street, Pocatello, Idaho 83201, 208-233-4032 / 935 East Lincoln Road, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401, 208-522-5391.

View our “Senior’s Guide to a Well-Planned Future” on our website! Packer Elder Care Law – with you for life!

Tom Packer is an Elder Law Attorney serving all Southeast Idaho. As part of his law practice, Tom offers Life Care Planning to deal with the challenges created by long-term illness, disability and incapacity. If you have a question about a Senior’s legal, financial or healthcare needs, please call us.

October 2022