Navigating a Broken System

Arizona’s long-term care system is fragmented, expensive, and inequitable. Over the last several years, countless news stories have exposed horrific instances of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults due to systemic failures. Families have repeatedly conveyed that they need help navigating the complex system and ensuring that their loved ones receive proper care.

In response, AARP Arizona and the Arizona Republic partnered to create the following resource guide to help families better understand Arizona’s long-term care system and to protect their loved ones from harm. The guide delves into such topics as comparing types of facilities, signs that someone may need additional support, and questions to ask when choosing a facility. It also exposes where the system has failed and provides some recommendations for improvement.

Critical improvements to Arizona’s long-term care system are imperative to ensure that everyone has access to high-quality, affordable care that protects them from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. In the 2024 legislative session, AARP Arizona aims to reform the state’s long-term care system through measures that strengthen licensing and enforcement policies, improve quality of care standards, and enhance reporting processes. To learn more about our efforts, please contact Brendon Blake at bblake@aarp.org or 602-245-8801.