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The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

March 21, 2012

Register For A Free Conference Call From The Consumer Voice!

The Consumer Voice is holding a conference call, entitled “Long-Term Services, Supports and Housing: Choices and Advocacy,” on March 28th. This event will provide consumers currently receiving or seeking long-term services and supports in their home, their family members, as well as long-term care ombudsmen, other advocates and interested others with an overview of options for long-term services and supports (LTSS) at home and in the community. It will also cover housing rights and ways to overcome barriers to obtaining affordable, accessible housing.

Presenters:

·         Jessica Brill Ortiz, Program Manager, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

·         Robyn Grant, Director of Advocacy and Outreach, National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

·         Bonnie Milstein, Director of Housing Policy for the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law; Co-Chair of the Consortium of Citizens with Disabilities (CCD) Housing Task Force

Participants are invited to submit questions during the call to jbrillortiz@theconsumervoice.org.

Long-Term Services, Supports and Housing: Choices and Advocacy
March 28, 2012
2:00pm-3:30pm EST

Registration is required, so register now!

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LeadingAge Receives Grant from MacArthur Foundation

The LeadingAge Center for Applied Research received a $698,000 grant from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation to assess whether affordable housing settings can serve as effective platforms for meeting the health and long-term care needs of low-income older residents while helping to reduce care costs. The center will study the role that publicly assisted service-enriched housing for older adults can play in helping residents age in place. The grant will help researchers build the first national dataset on the health and functional characteristics of older people living in publicly assisted housing.

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Fraud Alert for People with Diabetes

People with diabetes need to be aware of a new fraud alert. Fraud schemes may involve someone pretending to be from the government, a diabetes association or even Medicare calling a person with diabetes. The caller may offer free diabetic supplies in exchange for the beneficiaries’ Medicare or financial information. Additionally, you may receive items that you did not order. This call is a scam.

If you or someone you know receives such a call, take the following actions:

1.)    Protect your Medicare and other personal information

2.)    Report the call to law enforcement

3.)    Check your Medicare summary notice and Medicare bills

4.)    Do not accept items that you did not order.

For more information, visit the Office of Inspector General’s website.

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CMA Analyzes Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Nursing Homes

The Center for Medicare Advocacy, Inc. released a report asking “Non-Profit vs. For-Profit Nursing Homes: Is There a Difference in Care?” The report found that the type of nursing home ownership and sponsorship affects the quality of care that facilities provide to their residents. A 2011 study of the ten largest for-profit nursing home chains found that facilities owned by the top ten for-profit chains had: 1.) The lowest staffing levels; 2.) The highest number of deficiencies identified by public regulatory agencies; and 3.) The highest number of deficiencies causing harm or jeopardy to residents.

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CMS Announces Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations Among Nursing Facility Residents

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the Initiative to Reduce Avoidable Hospitalizations among Nursing Facility Residents, an effort designed to improve care for people living in nursing facilities who are enrolled in Medicare and Medicaid. The initiative aims to reduce costly and avoidable hospitalizations among nursing facility residents by funding organizations that would partner with nursing facilities to provide enhanced on-site services and supports to nursing facility residents.

For more information, read CMS’s press release.

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CMS Updates Fire and Safety Codes in Health Care Facilities

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released details for Instructions Concerning Waivers of Specific Requirements of the 2012 Edition of the National Fire Protection Association 101, the Life Safety Code, in Health Care Facilities. This update addressed CMS’s policy regarding Capacity of the Means of Egress; Cooking Facilities; Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning; and Furnishings, Mattresses, and Decorations. The clarification is effective immediately.

Read the full instructions on CMS’s website.

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About The Gazette

The Gazette is a weekly e-newsletter, published by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care and the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center. If you do not wish to continue receiving this publication, please unsubscribe. Your contributions and comments are welcome and should be sent to swells@theconsumervoice.org. Copyright © 2011.

The Consumer Voice is the leading national voice representing consumers in issues related to long-term care, helping to ensure that consumers are empowered to advocate for themselves. We are a primary source of information and tools for consumers, families, caregivers, advocates and ombudsmen to help ensure quality care for the individual. The Consumer Voice's mission is to represent consumers at the national level for quality long-term care, services and supports.

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National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care - 1001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 425 - Washington, DC 20036 - telephone: (202) 332-2275 - fax: (202) 332-2949 - info@theconsumervoice.org