Workshop empowers long-term care members in Arizona
David Aird, Case Management Manager, Long Term Care; UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona
At UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Arizona, we provide caring, personalized support for our Long-Term Care members. We take a whole-person approach to supporting our members’ needs, because the health and quality of life for Long-Term Care members is influenced by more than just medical care. Social drivers of health (SDOH) such as access to food, transportation, housing, and social activity can significantly impact an individual’s wellbeing. For Long-Term Care members, connections to resources and care that meet their needs is associated with a higher self-reported quality of life.1
The most recent workshop took place in August in Phoenix, hosted by the Member Advisory Council. Our Member Advisory Council includes long-term care members, their family members or caregivers, and community agencies, and local long term care providers. Highlights from the recent event included:
Caregiver support: A community-based organization, Duet: Partners in Health & Aging, shared resources, education, and peer mentorship available to family caregivers
Value-added benefits: Members received information about available benefits like a mobile phone and service plans, learned how to access benefits, and were able to initiate the application process during the event
Accessing the UnitedHealthcare App: UHCCP of Arizona’s Community Outreach team provided an overview of how to access the UnitedHealthcare app and its key features
Health and wellness: A stretching and balancing activity helped members get moving in between presentations
Community resources: Local library staff provided an overview of how to access enriching local resources and issued library cards during the event
Member Empowerment events: UHCCP of Arizona’s*me Team highlighted upcoming member empowerment events such as volunteer opportunities
In addition to presentations and activities, the event also honored a caregiver for exceptional service. The health plan, in partnership with the Member Advisory Council, understands and appreciates the invaluable contributions made by individuals who selflessly provide essential support and care to help our members live healthier lives. Several Direct Care Workers were nominated by both members and Direct Care agencies for our 2024 Caregiver Award. A committee comprising of Member Advisory Council members carefully reviewed the nominations and chose the 2024 Caregiver Award winner for the Central Region, Nancy Robles, who is an employee of ABC Cares. While Nancy was not able to attend the event, she expressed sincere joy and appreciation for the recognition.
The Member Empowerment Abilities Workshop covered a wide range of topics geared toward members, their families, and caregivers – with 119 attendees participating in this year’s workshop. The event also provides a platform for members to share their experiences and learn from one another, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. By addressing these critical areas, our team aims to empower Long-Term Care members to lead independent and enriched lives.
