|
September 17, 2013
Health Policy Roundtable on Advanced Old Age in America
The Consumer Voice is cosponsoring a Health Policy Roundtable with Altarum Health entitled "Advanced Old Age in America: What Can We Count On?" This roundtable focuses on health care reform and elderly Americans living with frailty in their last years. The event is being held on September 26th at the Pew Charitable Trust Conference Center at 8:30am EST. The event is also webcast at 9:00am EST. For more information, click here.
Back to Top
See the Consumer Voice's "Hall of Flame" to Find Out Which Nursing Homes Lack Sprinklers
On August 13, 2013 all nursing homes receiving Medicaid or Medicare money were required to be fully sprinklered. Almost 1,200 failed to meet that requirement, despite having had five (5) years to get sprinklers installed.
Residents in facilities that are only partially sprinklered or not sprinklered at all are at serious risk of injury and death by fire. Despite this danger, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is not taking immediate and forceful action.
Learn more about why sprinklers are SO important for resident safety here.
Back to Top
Next Month is Residents' Rights Month
Next month is Residents' Rights Month, an annual event designated by the Consumer Voice and celebrated in October to honor residents living in all long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, sub acute units, assisted living, board and care and retirement communities. It is a time for celebration and recognition offering an opportunity for every facility to focus on and celebrate awareness of dignity, respect and the value of each individual resident. The theme for Residents' Rights Month 2013 is, "Speak Out Against Elder Abuse!" with the goal of encouraging residents and others to be educated about and speak out against elder abuse.
Residents' Rights Month 2013 key chains, magnets and tote bags are available in the Consumer Voice store.
Is your organization holding events to celebrate Residents' Rights Month? Send the information to info@theconsumervoice.org so we can feature the details on our website.
Check out the new and improved Residents' Rights Bingo Game to help train staff and residents on residents' rights.
Back to Top
Commission on Long-Term Care Releases Recommendations
On September 13th, 2013 the Commission on Long-Term Care released their recommendations. Below you will find links to those as well as the Alternative Recommendations put forth by five dissenting commissioners: Judith Stein, Henry Claypool, Laphonza Butler, Lynnae Ruttledge, and Judy Feder.
Commission Recommendations:
Alternative Recommendations
Back to Top
Institute of Medicine Survey on End of Life Issues
The Institute of Medicine is conducting a project that will examine care for individuals approaching death. The committee will assess the delivery of health care; person-family-provider communication; advance care planning; health care costs; and education. The committee invites individuals who are likely approaching death, families, caregivers health care professionals and others interested in these issues to share their comments via their online survey. Access the survey here.
Back to Top
Webinar on Advanced Stage Dementia & Pallative Care
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the Administration for Community Living (ACL) are hosting their final webinar in ther series on Alzheimer's disease and resources. Webinar #5: Advanced Stage Dementia & Pallative Care will focus on the clinical course and care of people with advanced dementia as supported by research in both nursing home and home and community-based settings. Discussion will include research directions and opportunities, including recruitment, as well as specialized resources. Register here. For more information, visit ACL's website.
Back to Top
Consumer Voice Annual Conference to Feature Notable Speakers
The Consumer Voice Annual Conference in October will feature several notable speakers.
Kathy Greenlee will be a special guest speaker during the Residents Rights Month Luncheon on Friday, October 25th. She serves dual roles as the Administrator for the Administration for Community Living and Assistant Secretary for Aging, for which she was appointed by President Obama and confirmed by the Senate in June 2009.
On Sunday, October 27th, the final day of the Consumer Voice Conference, Dr. G. Allen Power will speak at a plenary entitled "Enhancing Well-Being in Older Adults Living with Dementia." Dr. Power is the best-selling and award-winning author of the book Dementia Without Drugs. During his plenary, he will share his time-tested strategies for engaging individuals with dementia in a meaningful way in order to provide compassionate, person-centered care without drugs. Dr. Power's presentation is free for individuals registered for the full conference or you can purchase a ticket for Dr. Power's session only.
Other confirmed speakers include:
- Becky Kurtz, Director, Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs, Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living; Session: The Who, What, When, Where and How of Ombudsman Services for Home Care Consumers
- Louise Ryan, Ombudsman Program Specialist, Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs, Administration on Aging, Administration for Community Living; Session: Ombudsman Advocacy in Assisted Living/Board and Care: Past, Present and Future
- Erica Wood, Assistant Director, American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging; Session: Making Guardianship Work for Vulnerable Elders
Register for the conference now.
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 © 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.
|
.png){kind=small}