The Oregon Long-Term Care Ombudsman Volunteer program was recently awarded the Governor’s Volunteer Award for Outstanding Statewide Program. The award was presented to Mary Jaeger, State Ombudsman, at the Oregon Civic Engagement Conference November 4, 2011 at the Salem Conference Center.

The award was given based on how the program strengthened Oregon communities, measurable outcomes and improvements, community collaboration, and reflected a dedicated and sustained commitment of time and effort. By utilizing nearly 200 volunteers in a variety of roles, the small State staff of ten is able to provide a trained and skilled volunteer in nearly half of Oregon’s long-term care facilities to be a presence, voice, and advocate for over 43,000 long-term care residents throughout Oregon. In existence for more than thirty years in Oregon, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman provides a confidential and free service for all of Oregon’s residents.  For more information, read the press release.

Bill Bard of Southwest Portland was awarded the Governor’s Volunteer Award for Outstanding Senior Volunteer at the Oregon Civic Engagement Conference on November 4, 2011 at the Salem Conference Center. The award is given based on four parameters – how Bard has strengthened Oregon his local community, shown measureable outcomes and improvements, included community collaboration, and shown a dedicated and sustained commitment of time and effort.   Bard was also the recipient of another award - the Howard Hinds Memorial Award at the 2011 Consumer Voice Leadership Awards Ceremony.  For more information, read the press release.

In anticipation of the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act in 2011, the Administration (AoA) began early in 2010 to conduct an open process to solicit input from throughout the country. To that end, more than 60 listening sessions were held and online input was received that represented the interests of thousands of consumers of OAA services. The principles gathered from this input are now available on AoA’s website. Read the reauthorization principles.

The Consumer Voice, along with many other organizations, have signed on to a letter urging Members of the Super Committee to reduce the federal deficit in a fair and balanced way that does not take away essential services from those who depend upon them - often for their most basic needs in life. These services - the majority of which are funded by Medicaid and the Older Americans Act - include long-term services and supports for individuals both at home and in nursing homes, ombudsman program services that advocate for quality care for nursing home residents, federal and state regulation and oversight of nursing homes, and more.

The letter states: “Cutting Medicaid will have a devastating effect on older adults and persons with disabilities. Currently Medicaid is the single largest source of long-term care coverage in the nation. Nearly three million seniors and people with disabilities receive Medicaid services that allow them to stay in their own home or community. At the same time 70% of nursing home residents rely on Medicaid to pay for facility care which costs $75,000 a year, or substantially more. Reducing Medicaid funding will make it harder for the elderly and people with disabilities to qualify for the nursing home benefits or home and community-based services they need.”