CareAvailability expands into Arizona to help families navigate senior care options

CareAvailability is proud to announce its expansion into Arizona. CareAvailability remains a NEW industry standard as the first and only website that delivers real-time reporting of availability for senior care to the minute. The site first launched in Oregon during the COVID pandemic as an effort to help hospitals find care for patients needing to transition out of beds. Washington was added soon after the site went live, followed by California, Florida, and now Arizona. Unlike other sites, this online resource lists every provider for free, and each can update their current availability at no cost; this significantly increases Family and Patient Freedom of Choice like never before. Until now, there has not been a site that delivers a comprehensive list for families to search without having to give any personal details.

Senior advocates and health professionals rely on CareAvailability to put together comprehensive lists of care options, as well as allowing people to self-navigate searching for care providers. Instead of care providers needing to update multiple paid sites, CareAvailability is an easy one-stop resource, as they do not charge hospitals, physicians, health clinics, social workers or any health team for their services. Medicare Ratings are also included to support Patient Freedom of Choice.

CareAvailability continues to alleviate the search for senior care in an already trying time. Options can be overwhelming, especially when families don’t know where to start. The team at CareAvailability has taken extra steps to provide educational articles to help families better navigate the maze of Long Term Care and aging, by providing links to state agencies, as well as explaining local terminology and regulations.

“There are tons of website that offer senior care and housing listings, but CareAvailability.com is the only one that lists every agency at no cost to the providers to be included, and does not require families to share their personal information to view the search results,” CareAvailability’s CEO, Amy Schmidt, says. Ms. Schmidt further explains, “It is truly the first comprehensive resource site.”

Care Availability’s expansion to Arizona means an additional 2,758 providers are now listed in Care Availability’s database of resources, which includes more than 2,050 assisted living communities, 200 home health agencies, 170 skilled nursing facilities, and 237 hospice agencies.

Fun Facts about Arizona

Arizona, nicknamed The Grand Canyon State, is a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers, boasting more than 30 state parks and natural areas. Arizona is of course home to The Grand Canyon National Park, one of the seven wonders of the world and the only one located inside the U.S.

In 1912, Arizona became the 48th state admitted to the Union. Arizona is derived from the Aztec Indian word “arizuma” meaning “silver bearing”.

About Care Availability

Care Availability is a website dedicated to helping seniors, their families, and healthcare professional
find care in real time. Specific questions can be directed to the Care Availability Team’s contact page or
connect with them on Facebook.

Alzheimer’s Impact Movement: The Fight to End Alzheimer’s

This past week, from May 16th-18th, the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement (AIM) Advocacy Forum was held in Washington D.C. CareAvailability’s very own Amy Schmidt was able to be there to represent and show support for the nations premier Alzheimer’s advocacy event. Advocates and Volunteers are hard at work meeting with members of Congress to build on the progress made in Alzheimer’s and other dementia research.

This year, volunteers from Oregon had 6 “asks” for our Government representatives to support.

1. NAPA Reauthorization Act: Congress passed the National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) in 2011. NAPA created a national plan to address Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The goals of the plan are to prevent and effectively treat Alzheimers and other dementias by 2025, enhance quality of care, expand support for impacted individuals and families, and promote health aging and reduce risk factors. The NAPA Reauthorization Act would extend the authorization of NAPA to 2035 and adds requirements to address health disparities among underrepresented populations.
2. Alzheimer’s Accountability Act of 2022: Congress passed the Alzheimer’s Accountability Act (AAA) in 2014. The Act requires the NIH to submit an annual Alzheimer’s budget directly to Congress and the President that specifies what resources the NIH needs to reach the goal of effectively treating and preventing Alzheimer’s and other dementias by 2025. The Alzheimer’s Accountability Act of 2022 would make permanent the requirement that NIH scientists tell Congress what resources they need each year.
3. Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer’s Act: The Comprehensive Care for Alzheimers Act would directly effect those caring for an individual with Alzheimers/dementia by asking the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a better payment structure for dementia care management. The model is designed to reach as many Medicare beneficiaries as possible, especially rural, medically underserved and diverse communities.
4. Equity in Neuroscience and Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Act: Research has found that Alzheimer’s and other dementia disproportionately affect older Black and Hispanic Americans, yet many of the clinical trials have not included sufficient numbers of Black, Hispanic, Asian or Native Americans to accurately represent the U.S. population. This restricts our knowledge of how an approved therapy or diagnostic may affect the populations most likely to need the treatment. The ENACT Act would expand access and outreach to underrepresented populations, increase the diversity of clinical trial staff, and reduce the burden associated with participating in clinical trials.
5. NIH Funding: Alzheimer’s is one of the most expensive diseases in America, costing more than heart disease and cancer. This year, caring for people with Alzheimer’s and other dementias will cost the U.S. an estimated $321 billion, and two-thirds of this cost will be covered by the Medicare and Medicaid programs. In order to avoid these costs, more funding is needed for the researchers and scientists who work hard every day to identify new treatments and a cure for this disease.
6. BOLD Act Funding: The BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer’s Act establishes a public health infrastructure to address dementia. The law provides grants to local, state, and tribal public health departments to carry out various activities addressing Alzheimer’s and other dementia on the state level. The Northwest Portland area Indian Health Board received a BOLD grant and is establishing the first ever public health guide focused on Alzheimer’s and other dementia care for the Native American community.

Alzheimer’s is a disease that effects more than 6 million Americans. Read more about Alzheimer’s Disease and the Early Warning Signs, and join us in the fight to #ENDALZ

May 2022: Age My Way

For the month of May, we are celebrating Older Americans Month. Designated by the Administration for Community Living (ACL), this year’s theme is “Age My Way”. This is an opportunity for all of us to delve into the different options older adults have to remain in and be a part of their communities. When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as ‘Senior Citizens Month,’ the prelude to ‘Older Americans Month.’ There are many options for those wanting to age in place and remain independent as long as possible. Search CareAvailability.com for home care options near you!

Other notable observances recognized in May are…

• Mental Health Awareness Month
• Jewish American Heritage Month
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Military Appreciation Month

Hello Florida! CareAvailability expands provider database.

CareAvailability remains a NEW industry standard as the first and only website that delivers real-time reporting of availability for senior care to the minute. The site first launched in Oregon during the COVID pandemic as an effort to help hospitals find care for patients needing to transition out of beds. Washington was added soon after the site went live, followed by California, Texas, and now Florida.

Unlike other sites, this online resource lists every provider for free, and each can update their current availability at no cost; this significantly increases Family and Patient Freedom of Choice like never before. Until now, there has not been a site that delivers a comprehensive list for families to search without having to give any personal details. Senior advocates and health professionals rely on Care Availability to put together comprehensive lists of care options, as well as allowing people to self-navigate searching for care providers. Instead of care providers needing to update multiple paid sites, Care Availability is an easy one-stop resource, as they do not charge hospitals, physicians, health clinics, social workers or any health team for their services. Medicare Ratings are also included to support Patient Freedom of Choice.

CareAvailability continues to alleviate the search for senior care in an already trying time. Options can
be overwhelming, especially when families don’t know where to start. In Florida, there are 4,500 new providers now listed in our database of resources. This includes more than: 2,417 assisted living communities, 1,477 home care providers, and 641 skilled nursing facilities. To assist in the terminology for specific states’ levels of care, the team at CareAvailability has taken extra steps to provide educational articles to help families better navigate the maze of Long Term Care and aging, by providing links to state agencies, as well as explaining local terminology and regulations.

“There are tons of website that offer senior care and housing listings, but CareAvailability.com is the only one that lists every agency at no cost to the providers to be included, and does not require families to share their personal information to view the search results. CareAvailability’s CEO, Amy Schmidt, says. Ms. Schmidt further explains, “It is truly the first comprehensive resource site.”

CareAvailability’s expansion to Florida means an additional 4,500 providers are now listed in CareAvailability’s database of resources, which includes more than 2,417 assisted living communities, 1,477 home care providers, and 641 skilled nursing facilities.

Fun Facts about Florida

Florida is nicknamed The Sunshine State, as its beaches draw thousands of tourists every year due to the humid subtropical climate. Florida has the longest coastline, over 1,197 miles! It is the southernmost state in the continental U.S.

The state motto of Florida is “In God We Trust.”

About Care Availability

Care Availability is a website dedicated to helping seniors, their families, and healthcare professional find care in real time. Specific questions can be directed to the Care Availability Team’s contact page or connect with them on Facebook.

In-Home COVID-19 Vaccinations Available!

Are you or a loved one unable to get to a vaccine clinic because of a disability or other physical or mental health barrier? The Washington County Department of Health and Human services are offering free in-home COVID vaccines. See if you qualify for a free in-home vaccination! Call 503-846-8123, or visit co.washington.or.us/vaccine.

Celebrate Diversity this April

April was designated as Celebrate Diversity month in 2004 in order to educate and demonstrate the value of understanding the racial and cultural differences of our citizens. This is an acknowledgment of the differences in race, gender, ethnicity, nationality, disabilities, religion, and socio-economic status. The highlighting of these differences serves to kick off conversations that promote the necessary acceptance of all kinds of people, and to generate a vision of celebration and empathy. Check out the April 2022 Diversity Calendar for more insight and resources.

Other notable days from the month of April include…

4/2 – World Autism Day – Focusing on the acceptance and understanding of those with Autism

4/4 – Easter – Major Christian Holiday

4/8 – Buddha’s Birth – A day of celebration and reflection for Buddhists

4/12 – Ramadan – First day of Islam’s most sacred month

4/22 – Earth Day – A reflection for environmental advocacy and the celebration of our planet

4/23-24 – A Gathering of Nations – Native American tribes come together to celebrate traditions and cultures

“April is named after the Roman word for second, ‘aprilis’, the second month of the Roman Year.”

Learn more about the history of previous months here.

CareAvailability is expanding senior care services to include Texas!

CareAvailability launched in 2020 and is a branch of the Retirement Connection family. CareAvailability looks to further help seniors find the living they look for in a modern and convenient format. Based in Oregon and providing services in both Oregon, Washington and now California, CareAvailability will continue to provide up to the minute real-time reporting on the availability of senior care in the state of Texas! 

CareAvailability works closely with hospitals and care providers, removing the hassle of finding the best in elder care. CareAvailability’s user-friendly website provides a smooth navigation process and user experience including integrated Google Maps, custom sorting and filtering of search results, and interactive provider profile pages that display the current availability for each service it covers!

Senior advocates and health professionals rely on CareAvailability to put together comprehensive lists of care options, as well as allowing people to self-navigate searching for care providers. 

Instead of care providers needing to update multiple paid sites, CareAvailability is an easy one-stop resource, as they do not charge hospitals, physicians, health clinics, social workers or any health team for their services. Also included are Medicare Ratings to support Patient Freedom of Choice. 

With real-time senior care options and availability, CareAvailability is a name that can be trusted. There is no login required, no information shared, and it is free for anyone to use, including hospitals and senior case managers and advisors. “Privacy is very important to us, as well as finding the best care for seniors. Our streamlined website makes it easy for caregivers to find the best care possible for seniors. Oregon, Washington, California, and now Texas are just the beginning,” CareAvailability’s CEO, Amy Schmidt, says.

CareAvailability’s goal is to list every housing and care company to have the most comprehensive directory available. Families can access resources from any smart phone, tablet or computer without sharing their contact details.

Fun Facts about Texas

Texas is famous for Long Horn Cattle, Cowboys, The Alamo, Barbecue, Ranching, NASA, and hot temperatures just to name a few.

Fun Facts : Founded in 1845, Texas is the only state that was initially an independent nation before joining the union. The name Texas comes from the Caddo word thecas, meaning “allies” or “friends.” The Spanish spelled the word tejas or texas and used it to describe the area where this Native American Caddo Nation tribe lived, in the eastern part of the state.

March: Celebrating Women

March is Women’s History Month, and March 8 is International Women’s Day, which is a day that not only celebrates female achievements and the progress made toward women’s rights, but also brings attention to ongoing struggles for equality around the world. The roots of this celebration goes back to the late 1800’s and early 1900s. It grew from women’s socialist movements and early women’s trade union groups. The focus is upon women workers, and advancing women’s rights in the workforce, politics and society.

Women’s History Month was officially created by Congress in 1987, but the movement began with March 8, 1911 International Women’s Day as a global celebration of the achievements of women. In 1975 the United Nations sponsored International Women’s Day; and in 1975 the school district of Sonoma, California organized a weeklong celebration of women’s contributions to society. President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week. Since 1995, each president has made an annual proclamation to designate March as Women’s History Month.

The National Women’s History Alliance assigns a theme every year for the month of March. The theme for 2022 is “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope.” This is “both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.”

March: “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope”

March is Women’s History Month, and 2022 theme celebrates “Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” which according to the National Women’s History Alliance, is “both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history.” : International Women’s Day is March 8^th.

Women’s History Month was officially created by Congress in 1987, but the movement began with March 8, 1911 International Women’s Day as a global celebration of the achievements of women. In 1975 the United Nations sponsored International Women’s Day; and  in 1975 the school district of Sonoma, California organized a weeklong celebration of women’s contributions to culture, and history. President Jimmy Carter issued the first presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week.

“March” is named for the Roman god of war, Mars, because it was the time of year military campaigns would resume fighting after being interrupted by winter. Sadly that seems true in today as well, as the people of Ukraine as fight for democracy.

Other highlights in March include: Daylight Saving Time (13^th), St. Patricks Day (17th), a very bright Full Worm Moon (18^th) and Spring  Equinox (20^th). If you are a gardener or an optimist, start planting seeds, even if they are only seeds of hope!

CareAvailability site expands into California to help families navigate more than 14,000 care and senior housing options

CareAvailability is proud to announce its expansion into California. Setting a NEW industry standard, CareAvailability is the first and only website that delivers real-time reporting of availability for senior care up to the minute. The site first launched in Oregon during the COVID pandemic as an effort to help hospitals find care for patients needing to transition out of beds. Washington was added soon after the site went live, followed now by California. Unlike other sites, this online resource lists every provider at no cost, and each can update their current availability at no cost; this significantly increases Family and Patient Freedom of Choice like never before. Until now, there has not been a site that delivers a comprehensive list for families to search without having to give any personal details.

Senior advocates and health professionals rely on Care Availability to put together comprehensive lists of care options, as well as allowing people to self-navigate searching for care providers. Instead of care providers needing to update multiple paid sites, Care Availability is an easy one-stop resource, as they do not charge hospitals, physicians, health clinics, social workers or any health team for their services. Also included are Medicare Ratings to support Patient Freedom of Choice.

When a family starts looking for care or senior housing, the options can be daunting in an already trying time. In California, there are more than 7,000 Care Homes, 2,000 Assisted Living Communities, 1,800 Home Care Agencies, 1,200 Nursing Homes, and 2,900 hospice Agencies. To further complicate matters, many states use different terms to describe the same kind of care, such as: assisted living, residential care for the elderly, board and care, family care home, custodial care, long term care, and other terms that can be confusing for families to understand and differentiate. The team at CareAvailability has taken extra steps to provide educational articles to help families better navigate the maze of Long Term Care and aging, by providing links to state agencies, as well as explaining local terminology and regulations.

“With real-time senior care options and availability, Care Availability is a one-stop-shop for finding and contacting care providers from a source users can trust. There is no login required, no information shared, and it is free for anyone to use, including hospitals, senior case managers, and advisors,” CareAvailability’s CEO, Amy Schmidt, says. Ms. Schmidt further explains, “We wanted to list every housing and care company to have the most comprehensive directory available. We want families to access resources from any smart phone, tablet or computer without sharing their contact details.”

Care Availability’s expansion to California means an additional 16,750 providers are now listed in Care Availability’s database of resources, which includes more than 8,000 assisted living communities, 2,800 home health agencies, 1,800 home care agencies, 1,200 skilled nursing facilities, and 2,900 hospice agencies.

Fun Facts about California

California is one of the most popular destinations in all of North America, and famous for the Golden Gate Bridge, Disneyland, and Hollywood. Other things unique to California are Coachella, the Wine Country, Silicon Valley, and Surf Culture, in addition to less obvious sights.

In 1850, California became the 31st state. Prior to its statehood, California was an independent country for one month in 1846.