Pinal-Gila Long Term Care celebrates 20th anniversary

A celebration was in order last week as Pinal County leaders, staff, member representatives and service providers gathered to recognize Long Term Care’s two decades of service to communities in Pinal and Gila counties.
 
The short ceremony was held at Long Term Care’s administrative offices in Florence.  Lisa Garcia, Assistant County Manager for Health and Human Services, recognized the efforts of the case workers and managers within the Pinal/Gila Long Term Care system. 
 
“I applaud your hard work and dedication to a precious resource – our seniors,” Garcia said.
 
The Long Term Care program began in 1990 with a focus on Pinal County residents.  Gila County services were added in 2001.
 
“When the program began, two case managers served fewer than 400 members,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Pete Rios. “The primary focus in 1990 was contract administration and nursing home placements. Today, Pinal/Gila Long Term Care has more than 78 percent of the 1,485 members living in home and community-based settings. They’re able to receive care in a comfortable, familiar setting. The staff is to be congratulated for providing a much-needed service to seniors, especially among our rural communities.”

Pinal/Gila Long Term Care is actively planning for the next 20 years by:
 
• Creating educational forums throughout Pinal and Gila Counties to promote awareness of opportunities for residents to become licensed adult foster care homes. 
• In February an application to Medicare will be submitted so that Pinal/Gila Long Term Care can offer Medicare services directly to Long Term Care members.
• In April a competitive bid will be submitted to the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) for Pinal/Gila Long Term Care to continue to serve as the program contractor in Pinal and Gila Counties for the next five years.
 
For more information about Pinal/Gila Long Term Care and the services provided, visit www.pinalcountyaz.gov/Departments/LongTermCare/Pages/Home.aspx or phone (520) 866-6775.
 
Submitted photo (left to right): Supervisor David Snider; Long Term Care Director Donna Beedle, Pinal-Gila Council for Senior Citizen’s President and CEO Olivia Guerrero, Assistant County Manager for Health and Human Services Lisa Garcia, Supervisors Chairman Pete Rios and Supervisor Bryan Martyn