Spread the word » Facebook Twitter

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

September 11, 2012

Consumer Voice Hosts Day of Advocacy in Action

Yesterday, the Consumer Voice hosted “Advocacy in Action,” a day of learning, networking and advocating. The day began with a briefing from Capitol Hill and Federal Agency staffers on the status of long-term care issues affecting consumers. Then attendees learned how to craft and deliver their advocacy message. After lunch, the advocates split into two groups. The first group of advocates headed to the Hill to meet with legislators. The other group of advocates attended the afternoon sessions to gain additional skills and tools for their advocacy work. Afternoon sessions included information on delivering an effective message via traditional and social media and developing an action plan to implement when advocates returned home.

The Consumer Voice would like to thank all advocates for participating in “Advocacy in Action” and hope attendees utilize the skills gained through this event.

Back to top

KY Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency Receives Award

Kentucky’s Nursing Home Ombudsman Agency of the Bluegrass (NHOA) is the recipient of the 2012 Lauren K. Weinberg Humanitarian Award. This award has been given to individuals and organizations that are dedicated to service in the community and promote respect, understanding and tolerance among all people. A community award event honoring the NHOA will be held October 16th in Lexington, KY.

Back to top

PowerPoint Available from Consumer Voice's Anti-Psychotics Webinar

The Consumer Voice recently held a webinar entitled “Ending Misuse of Anti-Psychotics in Long-Term Care.” This webinar included a discussion of the dangers and signs of inappropriate psychotropic drug use, successful alternative person-centered treatments and therapies, resources for more information and current national and state-level efforts to reduce inappropriate medications. Expert speakers included Mary Evans, a Geriatrician/Medical Director; Morris Kaplan, a Nursing Home Administrator; and Claire Curry, a Consumer Advocate. PowerPoint presentations from the webinar are available on the Consumer Voice website and the recording will be available soon. Thank you to all who participated in this webinar!

Back to top

Consumer Voice Releases Report Revealing LTC Consumers' Opinions About Home Care

Consumers want to remain in their homes as they age and/or as disability requires them to seek assistance, and they believe increased funding for in-home services and better pay and benefits for direct care workers are necessary to make that possible. These are among the findings of a report released last week by the Consumer Voice.

Sarah Wells, Executive Director of the Consumer Voice, said it was striking how adamant consumers are about staying at home. “We knew this was important to consumers but the depth to which they feel this way is extraordinary. One individual told us, ‘My worst day in my home is better than my best day in the nursing home.’” Wells also noted that consumers’ ability to remain at home is dependent upon workers. She shared this statement from an interviewee: "If I could change one thing, I would offer night time workers benefits to keep them around because they have kids and families which makes it very hard for them to continue work. Low levels of pay for the night workers also affect this, causing lots of turnover in workers that I have had over the years.”

Read the full report on the Consumer Voice website.

Back to top


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.

You have received this e-mail through your subscription to the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care's e-mail list.

Recipients of this e-mail include all state long-term care ombudsmen, Consumer Voice members and other individuals who have subscribed to our e-mail list.

If you did not subscribe, or would no longer like to receive e-mail updates, unsubscribe here.

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