April 2, 2013

NEW NORC Resource Regarding Systems Advocacy

The Older Americans Act (OAA) outlines the responsibilities of the State and their Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs (LTCOPs), clearly stating that the primary role of Long-Term Care Ombudsmen is to serve as resident advocates. Ombudsmen are charged with serving as the resident advocate in response to individual complaints as well as advocating for the concerns of residents and need for change on a systems level.

 NORC’s new Quick Reference Guide provides an overview of the role and responsibilities of the LTCO program regarding systems advocacy. The guide defines systems advocacy, reviews the federal mandate and support for systems advocacy work by Ombudsmen, highlights several systems advocacy strategies, shares examples of Ombudsmen involved in systems advocacy and provides additional resources. There are separate versions of the guide for State and Local LTCO based on the slightly different role of state and local LTCO in systems advocacy. To access the guide visit the NORC website.

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Now Accepting Nominations for 2013 Leadership Awards

Are you looking for a way to recognize a long-term care consumer, long-term care ombudsman, citizen advocate, or another individual for their advocacy on behalf of long-term care consumers? If so, please take advantage of this opportunity to nominate individuals for their outstanding advocacy and work for quality care, no matter where. 

Based on your nominations, the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (Consumer Voice) will recognize people who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to improving the lives of long-term care consumers.

 There are five categories in which the Consumer Voice will honor the work of a variety of individuals, including an award to recognize the advocacy work of a long-term care consumer. Visit our website for additional information about the awards and nomination process.

 There are 3 easy steps to submit a nomination!

1. Review the award categories and criteria.
2. Complete the nomination form via SurveyMonkey.
3. Submit a letter of recommendation.

 Individual and group members of the Consumer Voice may nominate people for an award. Awards will be presented at our 37th Annual Conference and Meeting, October 24-27, 2013, in Crystal City, Virginia.

 Nominations are due by Friday, May 31

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Consumer Voice Hosting FREE Webinar on Consumer-Directed Home Care

Do you want to find out how consumers can direct their own care at home? The Consumer Voice is hosting a FREE national webinar to explain just that. The webinar will take place next Tuesday, April 9th, 2013, from 2:00 - 3:30 PM EDT. Click here to register. This webinar will cover:

• What consumer-directed care is
• The different models of consumer-directed care
• What consumers need to direct their own care
• The experience of consumers and tips for directing your own care

 Participants will receive an agenda and presentation materials prior to the webinar. We hope you take the opportunity to register for this webinar today!

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FTC Holding Forum on Senior Identity Theft; Consumer Voice Executive Director Sarah Wells will be a Panelist

On May 7^th, the Federal Trade Commission is holding a forum entitled “Senior Identity Theft: A Problem in This Day and Age.” The event will bring together experts from government, private industry, and public interest groups to discuss the unique challenges facing victims of senior identity theft. Consumer Voice Executive Director Sarah Wells will be featured as a panelist. The event will take place in Washington, DC or can be accessed via webcast. It is free and open to the public.

Senior Identity Theft: A Problem in This Day and Age
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
9:00am - 4:30pm EST

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Possible Tax Deduction for Volunteer Gas Expenses

If your program does not reimburse volunteers for their gas expenses, your volunteers may be able to file for a tax deduction for the gas expenses incurred during their volunteer responsibilities. Your program must be a “qualified organization” in order for volunteers to deduct contributions, such as their gas expenses from their taxes. Most organizations, other than churches and governments, must apply to the IRS to become a qualified organization. If you are not sure if your program is considered a “qualified organization,” the IRS website has a search tool to find qualified organizations or individuals can contact the IRS directly, 1-877-829-5500. 

 The 2012 IRS Charitable Contributions form states the following regarding deductions for volunteers using their car to provide services on behalf of your program/organization:

 Car expenses. You can deduct as a charitable contribution any unreimbursed out-of-pocket expenses, such as the cost of gas and oil, directly related to the use of your car in giving services to a charitable organization. You cannot deduct general repair and maintenance expenses, depreciation, registration fees, or the costs of tires or insurance. If you do not want to deduct your actual expenses, you can use a standard mileage rate of 14 cents a mile to figure your contribution. You can deduct parking fees and tolls whether you use your actual expenses or the standard mileage rate. You must keep reliable written records of your car expenses. For more information, see Car expenses under Records To Keep, later.

 Click here to access the 2012 IRS Charitable Contributions form.

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Consumer Voice's Robyn Grant Quoted in Articles in Reader's Digest and The Crime Report

Consumer Voice Director of Public Policy and Advocacy Robyn Grant was recently quoted in an article in Reader’s Digest. The article, entitled “50 Secrets a Nursing Home Won’t Tell You,” reviews things consumers need to know but often don’t when choosing a nursing home. Robyn recommends looking specifically for staffing: “Our recommendation for a daytime staff-to-patient ratio is one to five….We recommend one to ten during the evening shift, and one to 15 overnight.”

Robyn was also quoted in an article in The Crime Report. The article, entitled “The “Dirty Little Secret” of Elder Abuse,” addresses crimes committed against the elderly. Robyn emphasized giving elder abuse more attention saying, “We’ve got to give it the attention that child abuse and domestic abuse are given in this country.”

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CMS Announces Funding Opportunity for Nationwide Program for National and State Background Checks

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an invitation for proposals from all states and US territories to be considered for inclusion in the National Background Check Program for Direct Patient Access Employees of Long Term Care Facilities and Providers. The grant amount for five awards is $15,000,000. The application deadline is May 30, 2013.

NCOA Holding Webinar on Policy Advancing Falls Prevention

The National Council on Aging is holding a webinar entitled “Implementing Policy Change to Advance Falls Prevention: Training, Examples and Resources.” The webinar will provide training on goals and identified policy changes to advance falls prevention, discuss strategies and indicators for implementing the policy changes, and discuss real world examples of falls prevention policy changes being implemented.

Implementing Policy Change to Advance Falls Prevention: Training, Examples, and Resources
Thursday, April 11, 2013
3:00pm EST

Two-Day Workshop on Elder Abuse and Its Prevention

The Forum on Global Violence Prevention, at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, will hold a two-day workshop exploring the burden of elder abuse around the world, focusing on its impact on individuals, families, communities, and societies, and illuminating promising approaches to its prevention. Attendance is free and open to the public. The workshop can be accessed both in-person and via webcast.

Elder Abuse and Its Prevention
April 17-18, 2013

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