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The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

June 4, 2013

Survey for Family Caregivers

Are you a family caregiver, caring for someone over 65 years old at home?  The Eldercare Workforce Alliance would like to hear from you on how a home health care worker could potentially fill in gaps in care and support older adults and their family caregivers.  The Eldercare Workforce Alliance (EWA) is comprised of 28 national organizations united in their commitment to address the eldercare workforce shortage in order to ensure that their parents and grandparents receive the dignity of living comfortably and receiving quality care in settings of their choice.  You can learn more about the Alliance here.
 
Your time and participation is greatly appreciated.  The survey will be open until Friday, June 14, 2013.  Share your thoughts through a brief 8-question survey, found here.  
 
All data is confidential and respondents are not asked to provide their name or any identifiable information.  The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
 
If you have any questions, you can reach Caitlin Connolly, EWA Project Director, at 212-822-3578 or cconnolly@eldercareworkforce.org.

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New National PowerUP! Movement

In celebration of National Volunteer Week, the Aging Network’s Volunteer Collaborative launched PowerUP!, described as a national movement to provide “leaders in the aging and disability networks the strategies and tools they need to power up their agencies’ services by tapping the skills and passion of older adult volunteers.” PowerUP! will enhance the aging and disability network’s ability to recruit, engage and empower older adult volunteers and will support individual older adult volunteers by providing opportunities for lifelong learning, skills building and information regarding wellness.

As the need for long-term care services and supports continues to rise, but funding for federal, state and local services are strained, the PowerUP! initiative encourages aging and disability agencies to utilize the wealth of experience and knowledge older adult volunteers have to offer.

The Aging Network’s Volunteer Collaborative invites you to take the PowerUP! pledge and join the national effort to double the number of volunteers in aging services to 1 million by 2015.

Also, the Aging Network Volunteer Collaborative, with n4a, is hosting an online chat to discuss ways to recruit volunteers using the PowerUP! templates.

Recruit Volunteers with the PowerUP! Templates
Tuesday, June 18, 2013
1:00pm EST

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New Tool for Advocates: Continuity of Care in the Dual Eligible Demonstrations

The National Senior Citizens Law Center (NSCLC) has developed a tool for advocates that analyzes the Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) that have been approved for the financial alignment model for dual eligibles - Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, California and Virginia.

Using the five MOUs as a starting point, NSCLC identifies important elements in a continuity of care policy that advocates should address with their states.  Click here to read NSCLC's analysis and recommendations.

PA Supreme Court Forms Elder Law Task Force

The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has formed an Elder Law Task Force to study the growing problems involved in guardianship, abuse and neglect and access to justice. Consumer Voice Leadership Council Member and Pennsylvania State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Wilmarie Gonzalez has been appointed as a member of the Task Force.  The task force, made up of 38 elder law experts including Gonzalez, is charged with recommending solutions that include court rules, legislation, education and best practices. The work of the group will take approximately one year.

For more information, read the press release.

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June is LGBT Pride Month; Web Forum Discussion on Incorporating LGBTQ Victims' Needs into Mainstream Victim Services

June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.  In the President's Proclamation of the month, he stated, "This year, we celebrate LGBT Pride Month at a moment of great hope and progress, recognizing that more needs to be done." Read the Proclamation here.

For resources on LGBT Elders, visit NORC's Issue page.

The office for Victims of Crime is presenting a web forum discussion on June 5th, in commemoration of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month, on best practices for incorporationg LGBTQ victims' needs into mainstream victim services. Robin Parker, Executive Director of the Beyond Diversity Resource Center in Mount Laurel, NJ, and Sharon Stapel, Executive Director of the New York City Anti-Violence Project, will lead the discussion and answer questions.

Incorporating LGBTQ Victims' Needs Into Mainstream Victim Services
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
2:00pm EST

For more information, click here.

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Bed Rails Petition Published; Comment Period Open Until August 5th

The Petition Requesting a Ban or Standard on Adult Portable Bed Rails, submitted by the Consumer Voice, the Consumer Federation of America, activist Gloria Black and 60 other organizations, has been published by the Consumer Product Safety Commission.  The Commission invites written comments concerning the petition until August 5, 2013.  The Consumer Voice will be developing comments and will be asking our network to take action as well.

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Protect the Elderly from Dangerous Bed Rails

THANK YOU to those individuals and groups who have signed our petition which calls for safety standards for adult bed rails. Haven’t signed yet? Please take the time to do so today by clicking here. We have a goal of 1,000 signatures and we need your help to reach that goal!

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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 © 2013.

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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