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January 14, 2014
NCPEA Compiling List of Elder Abuse Coalitions
The National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) is compiling a listing of active elder abuse coalitions and teams for the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), to appear on the NCEA website at www.ncea.aoa.gov. This is a list of interagency groups that are actively addressing the issues of elder abuse and neglect through activities such as organizing, advocacy and promoting public awareness. NCPEA defines a coalition or team as an entity comprised of representatives of independent organizations, that utilizes distinct knowledge and resources to collectively address a shared goal.
To submit information regarding a state or local coalition, task force or team, use the form found in the current list. Once listed, the organization will receive notices about activities, webinars and other resources targeted to coalitions and teams, and networking opportunities with others on this list.
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Share Your Thoughts About the Consumer Voice Clearinghouse
The Consumer Voice Clearinghouse is constantly expanding and improving. Please take a minute to share your thoughts about the Clearinghouse!
Each survey takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.
Thank you for your help as we continue to make the Clearinghouse the most useful tool it can be!
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The Arc's National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability to Hold First Webinar
The Arc's National Center on Criminal Justice and Disability is holding its first webinar on January 30 at 1:30 EST. The webinar will cover the Center's mission, goals, partners, products and services, and how you can get involved and become better equipped to provide equal access to justice for individuals with I/DD in your own community and within your profession. Register now.
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CMS Proposes Rule that Would Tighten Oversight on Nursing Home Prescriptions
After reports that Medicare Part D prescribing practices are endangering seniors, CMS has issued a proposed rule that would give the agency more power to oversee and control the prescription drug program. Previously, CMS has taken a limited role in overseeing Part D saying that the private health plans that administer have this responsibility. But, according to ProPublica, this has led to some prescribers dispensing potentially harmful medications. Under the newly proposed CMS rule, prescribers would have to be enrolled in Medicare for their prescriptions to be covered by Part D. The Medicare certification process would allow CMS to more effectively ensure that only "qualified individuals" are prescribing Part D drugs. For more information, read the article in McKnight's.
The Consumer Voice staff will be reviewing and analyzing these regulations.
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Webinar on "The Intersection of Housing Policy and Health: Olmstead is the Mandate, ACA the Opportunity"
Join Abt Associates for a webinar on "The Intersection of Housing Policy and Health: Olmstead is the Mandate, ACA the Opportunity," a webinar on January 24th at 12:30pm EST. Across the country, states and communities are meeting the mandate of the Supreme Court's Olmstead decision to help people with disabilities live in the community, rather than in institutions. At the same time, implementation of the Affordable Care Act provides opportunites for states to create new options for home and community-based services under the Medicaid program. Abt Associates' webinar will explore ways that community-based housing linked to health services can better serve the most vulnerable populations. Register now.
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Webinar on "Taking Action: An Advocate's Guide to Assisting Victims of Financial Fraud"
The National Crime Prevention Council is holding a webinar on January 23rd at 2:00pm EST on "Taking Action: An Advocate's Guide to Assisting Victims of Financial Fraud." This guide, created by The FINRA Investor Education Foundation and the National Center for Victims of Crime, gives victim advocates a roadmap on how to respond in the wake of a financial crime. The webinar will discuss strategies for addressing the major types of financial crime - including investment fraud, identity theft, mortgage and lending fraud, and mass marketing scams. Register now.
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NYC Elder Abuse Center Blog Features Tips for Older Adults to Increase Their Social Networks
A recent blog post from NYC Elder Abuse Center features practical strategies that older adults can use to increase their social networks. The post, entitled "Increasing Social Integration and Preventing Elder Abuse," suggests increasing social integration as a potent abuse prevention strategy. The post also features a tip sheet entitled "Practical Tips for Older Adults Interested in Replenishing their Friendship Network," which provides guidelines on where older adults can meet people and how they can initiate conversations and maintain connections.
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CMS Holding Call on Jimmo vs. Sebelius Settlement Agreement
CMS is holding an Open Door Forum call on January 15th at 1:00pm EST related to the Jimmo vs. Sebelius settlement agreement. The announcement made at the call will include information about manual revisions to clarify Skilled Nursing Facility, Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility, Home Health, and Outpatient coverage.
Call in information:
Participant Line: 1-800-837-1935
Conference ID#: 31243407
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University of Iowa School of Social Work Webinars for Nursing Home Social Workers
The University of Iowa School of Social Work has provided nursing home webinars at least twice monthly since August 2013. Listen to recordings of past webinars on their website. Plus, look forward to the next webinars:
- January 23 - Person-Centered Care - What Happens When Choice Involves Risk?
- February 11 - Assisting with End-of-Life Planning, including an overview of POLST (Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment)
- February 27 - Ethical Decision-Making in the Context of Dying and Death in the Nursing Home
- March 11 - Nonpharmacological Approaches for Managing Problem Behaviors
Find information on both past and future webinars on their website. Be sure to share this information with Nursing Home Social Workers!
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Consumer Voice Participates in US News & World Report Twitter Chat
The Consumer Voice participated in a Twitter chat hosted last week by US News & World Report on long-term care costs, where Consumer Voice staff raised the issue of ensuring that any money spent on long-term care goes to quality care and that the central component of quality care in long-term care facilities is adequate staffing. US News & World Report published a piece on the dialogue, highlighting many of the tweets made by the Consumer Voice during the discussion. Read the article.
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CMS Issues Final Rule for Medicaid Home and Community Based Services
On January 10, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule establishing new requirements that apply to Medicaid Home and Community Based Services (HCBS). The rule, which was several years in the making, is of particular importance because it requires that HCBS settings meet certain qualifications in order to be eligible for Medicaid reimbursements. These qualifications include that HCBS settings should:
- be integrated in and support full access to the greater community;
- be selected by consumer choice from among setting options;
- ensure individual rights of privacy, dignity and respect, and freedom from coercion and restraint;
- optimize autonomy and independence in making life choices; and
- facilitate choice regarding services and who provides them.
The rule also identifies which settings are not HCBS settings and describes locations that will be considered institutional unless determined otherwise through some type of review process. There will be a transitional process for states to ensure that their waivers and state plans meet the new requirements.
The Consumer Voice is currently analyzing the regulations and will provide more information on how the rule impacts long-term care consumers in the near future. In the meantime, CMS has released several fact sheets on the final rule linked below:
In addition, CMS will be hosting a webinar about the rule on January 23, 2014 from 1:00pm-3:00pm ET and again on January 30, 2014 at the same time. Visit the Home & Community Based Services page on Medicaid.gov to read the full rule and to learn 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 info@theconsumervoice.org. Copyright © 2014.
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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