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The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care

October 16, 2013

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office for Older Americans Listening Session with Long-Term Care Ombudsmen at the Consumer Voice Annual Conference

On Thursday, October 24th, as part of the pre-conference activities of the Consumer Voice Annual Conference, State and Local Ombudsmen are invited to a Listening Session with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Office for Older Americans.  This session will be held at the Hilton Crystal City, along with the other conference events, and will be held from 5:15pm-6:15pm.  Find more information about the Annual Conference and the most current agenda here.

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n4a Releases Findings on Effect of Shutdown on Area Agencies on Aging

n4a released findings of the nation's Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that reveals the current effect of the federal government shutdown on the ability of AAAs to continue operating federally funded programs under the Older Americans Act (OAA). The survey found that the risk of seniors losing essential OAA services is very real and will escalate the longer the shutdown continues.  Seventy-five percent of survey respondents indicated that they rely upon federal funding to operate current programs and services within two months of the start of the federal fiscal year.  For more information, read the press release.

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New Residents' Rights Fact Sheet for LGBT Residents

In recognition of Residents' Rights Month and National Coming Out Day, we are pleased to share a new consumer fact sheet titled, "Residents' Rights and the LGBT Community: Know Your Rights as a Nursing Home Resident" produced by NORC in collaboration with the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging (NRC) and Lambda Legal.  

This fact sheet highlights federal residents' rights and nursing home requirements that may be of particular importance to lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) residents and provides options for complaint resolution, information for reporting abuse and resources regarding long-term care and LGBT advocacy.
To access the fact sheet, click here.

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SAGE Holding Storytelling Contest

Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE) is holding a new storytelling contest during October/November. LGBT older adults have spent their lives building their own families and communities—the relationships that sustain all of us. Yet as they age, more and more of them begin to feel less connected. SAGE wants to hear their stories and yours. What does “community” mean to you? How do you stay connected to the people who matter most to you? Visit SAGE Story and share your story! Submission deadline is 5 PM EST on November 6. Enter today!

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Families USA Introduces New Story Collection Tool

Families USA has a new story collection tool to collect stories of people who have gotten covered because of the Affordable Care Act. The collection tool is now live and accepting stories at www.mycoveragestory.org. Millions of Americans are enrolling in new health care coverage over the next six months. One of the best ways to talk about the Affordable Care Act is through the stories of people who have gotten covered. Families USA is also adding capacity to help disseminate and vet stories so they can share successes with media and elected officials. Families USA will be working with other national and state organizations in this effort.

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New Legislation in California to Strengthen the Enforcement Power of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman

Gov. Jerry Brown (D) signed into law legislation (SB 609) to strengthen the enforcement power of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.  This is the second bill in two years that involves the ombudsman program in California, both of which were authored by Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Davis).  SB 609 will hike penalties for any long-term care providers who interfere with investigations by the ombudsman's office.

Click here to read more.

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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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