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For more information on how to sponsor an issue of The Gazette, contact rgelula@theconsumervoice.org or click here.

October 28, 2014

Washington Post Creates Online "Hospice Compare" Tool

The Washington Post has created an online "hospice compare" tool.  The Post gathered data largely from government sources on more than 3,000 hospices that participate in Medicare, which pays for the vast majority of hospice care in this country.  It offers the tool not as a complete picture of any single hospice, as no single factor can predict the quality of a hospice’s care. But the Post hopes that consumers can benefit from knowing how a hospice compares to others on these important measures.  Access the tool here.

The Post also published an article last week about the void in public information available about the quality of hospices.  In 2010, Congress required that the government publish information about hospice quality, but the Medicare agency has said that such consumer information will not be available until 2017 at the earliest.  Read the article.

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Special Price for RRM Calendar Only Available until End of October

Show your support of the Consumer Voice's staffing campaign and the 2014 Residents' Rights Month theme with a "Better Staffing: The Key to Better Care" 2015 Calendar.  This 12-month calendar (beginning January 2015) includes photos, quotes, poems and artwork from long-term care consumers and staff members.  The focus of the calendar is better staffing with resident comments centering around what staffing means to them, how staff members have helped them, and how staffing can be improved in their facility; plus special focus on nursing home regulations that highlight quality care.

Calendars are available for the special price of $14/each (plus shipping and handling) only until October 31! Purchase a calendar now.

Peek inside:


These calendars can be given as a gift or used personally as a reminder to fight for residents’ rights. Plus, it can be used as a giveaway for your Residents’ Rights Month luncheons, press activities, visits with residents and other activities.

Take advantage of the limited time price of $14 during Residents' Rights Month!


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Materials Available from HCBS Conference

Materials are now available online from the 2014 National Home & Community Based Services Conference.  Materials include Powerpoint slides and video recordings.  Access the materials here.

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12 Reasons to Attend the 38th Annual Consumer Voice Conference

This is the latest entry in our 12 week series.

#11: Extend your trip and visit the National Monuments, Old Town Alexandria, Mount Vernon or the National Harbor

The conference is being held in Arlington, Virginia, a great access point to many nearby historic sites and attractions.  The Hilton Crystal City is in walking distance to DC's subway, called the Metro, and just a short ride away from the National Mall, Old Town Alexandria, Mount Vernon and the National Harbor.  DC veterans and newbies alike will find there is much to explore; extend your trip before or after the Consumer Voice Conference and discover everything the area has to offer.

Click here for more reasons to attend the Consumer Voice Conference.

Regular Registration for the Consumer Voice Annual Conferece has been extended until tomorrow, Wednesday, October 29th.  Late Registration will be offered after this date, however rates will go up! Do not wait! Click here to view the registration information.

For more information about the Annual Conference, click here.
We look forward to seeing you in Washington, DC!

Thank you to the individuals and organizations who have become conference sponsors and provided scholarships!  View a list of 2014 Conference Sponsors on our website.  There is still time to contribute! Find out more about conference sponsorship here and make a contribution here.

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"Alive Inside" is Now Available on Netflix

"Alive Inside" is a documentary that follows Dan Cohen, founder of the nonprofit organization Music & Memory, as he demonstrates music's ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it. The documentary is now available for streaming on Netflix. The film addresses the healing power of music and how it is impacting the treatment of the elderly.  The film visits family members who have witnessed the miraculous effects of personalized music on their loved ones, and offers interviews with experts including renowned neurologist and author Oliver Sacks and musician Bobby McFerrin.  The documentary won the Audience Award at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival.

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A Gift of Stock is a Win-Win for the Donor and for Consumer Voice

It is great when the value of an asset increases, but when such assets are owned outside of a retirement plan people are subject to capital gains tax on the asset’s appreciation or increase in value.  Making a gift of the asset – often a stock or other security – to Consumer Voice eliminates the capital gains tax on the holding.  Additionally, the gift may be recognized as a charitable donation and may result in a tax deduction for the full appreciated value of the asset.  So, the donor wins in two ways – by avoiding capital gains tax and receiving a charitable gift deduction.  And Consumer Voice wins by obtaining your contribution and using it to support our programs of long-term care advocacy and education. If you would like to make a gift of stock or other security, contact rgelula@theconsumervoice.org.

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Flu Prevention

Flu season is upon us again, and it is important be aware of special considerations for consumers of long-term care.  Individuals in long-term care settings are especially vulnerable to healthcare-associated infections.  Germs can be spread from resident to resident on unclean hands of long-term care personnel as well as through the improper use of equipment. It is also important for family members and others who visit with consumers to be aware when visiting with vulnerable individuals. For resources on infection prevention, visit NORC's website.

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In this Issue

Washington Post Creates Online "Hospice Compare" Tool

Special Price for RRM Calendar Only Available until End of October

Materials Available from HCBS Conference

12 Reasons to Attend the 38th Annual Consumer Voice Conference - Lower registration rates end tomorrow!

"Alive Inside" is Now Available on Netflix

A Gift of Stock is a Win-Win for the Donor and for Consumer Voice

Flu Prevention


It's Residents' Rights Month!

In October, advocates across the country are celebrating Residents' Rights Month 2014.

  • Visit our website to find residents' rights resources and activities and to find updates on how advocates and consumers across the country are celebrating.
  • Purchase Residents' Rights Month products including this year's fantastic calendar!
  • Read what residents' rights mean to residents nationwide in our Resident's Voice Challenge.
  • Let us know how you are celebrating by emailing event details, photos and news stories to info@theconsumervoice.org


4.1 It CAN Be Done!

As part of our nursing home staffing campaign, Better Staffing: The Key to Better Care, Consumer Voice is advocating for a minimum of 4.1 hours of nursing care per resident per day.  To show your support of this campaign, individuals can send us a photo with the slogan "4.1 - It CAN Be Done" by tweeting us pictures @ConsumerVoices, posting on our Facebook or emailing your photos to info@theconsumervoice.org.  Get the word out and encourage consumers to participate by sending in their photos too! 

You can join the Better Staffing: The Key to Better Care campaign, learn more about the campaign's goals, access the campaign advocacy toolkit, and take action at: www.theconsumervoice.org/betterstaffing

Featured Supporters:

Residents and staff in Pennsylvania


Calendar of Events

October: 2014 Residents' Rights Month, Better Staffing: The Key to Better Care

Friday, November 7: Facebook First Friday, Topic: Consumer Involvement

November 15-18, 2014: Consumer Voice Annual Conference at the Hilton Crystal City in Arlington, VA Register now.

Thursday, December 11: Substance Abuse, 3:00pm EST, Webinar from The National Nursing Home Social Work Network


Your Consumer Voice Membership Shows Your Support for Quality Long-Term Care

The Consumer Voice envisions a world in which all consumers of long-term care, services and supports are treated with respect and dignity.  As we work to achieve this goal, we need friends and advocates like you to join us in our fight to achieve quality services for all long-term care consumers.  There is strength in numbers, and when there are many of us and our voice is strong, only then do we achieve our mission of empowering consumers and bringing about quality of life and quality care for all people receiving long-term care, services and supports.  That is why we need your help - become a member of the Consumer Voice!

Join now and receive a SPECIAL OFFER - your membership will not expire until December 2015 - That's 3 months FREE!

Go to www.theconsumervoice.org/join to become a member.
Questions about membership? Contact info@theconsumervoice.org


Making Charitable Contributions At Work?

If you are making charitable contributions through payroll deduction, please ask how you can "designate" your contribution to Consumer Voice.

If you are giving to the Combined Federal Campaign, the charity number for Consumer Voice is #10552.

Even if Consumer Voice is not listed as part of a workplace campaign, there is often an option to make a contribution to the charity of your choice.  All you have to do is ask how you can make a contribution to Consumer Voice.

Sometimes, you will have to use "NCCNHR" instead of Consumer Voice as your designated charity since that is how our organization is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.  In either case, the contribution should reach our organization.

Thank you for considering making a payroll contribution in support of our efforts of achieving quality long-term care.  If you have any questions or suggestions, contact us at info@theconsumervoice.org or by phone at 202-332-2275.


Join the conversation and follow us on social media!

Last Week's Most Popular Post:

Friday, October 24:
Residents and staff in Pennsylvania say "4.1 It CAN Be Done!"

Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:

Monday, October 20
:
Oh no! Don't feel bad you missed the best long-term care policy & advocacy conference.  Register before rates go up.


Long-Term Care Resources & News


Read past issues of The Gazette here.


Sponsor the Gazette - Consumer Voice is now accepting sponsorship for each weekly issue of The Gazette.  As a benefit of sponsorship, the contributor may honor, remember, or thank an individual or organization.  For more information, contact Richard Gelula at rgelula@theconsumervoice.org

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 below. Your contributions and comments are welcome and should be sent to info@theconsumervoice.org. Copyright © 2014.

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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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