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October 20, 2015
Consumer Voice Releases "Put a STOP to Poor Care" Brochure
Consumer Voice has released “Put a STOP to Poor Care” brochure, produced in collaboration with the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), which includes indicators of quality care, warning signs, red flags of potential abuse, and advocacy tips to address concerns. Regardless of where an individual receives long-term care services and supports they are entitled to receive quality, person-centered care, and this brochure was designed to help consumers understand quality care, learn how to identify issues, and gain action steps to advocate for the care they need and deserve. Long-term care ombudsmen (LTCO) could distribute this brochure during their visits, use it as a training tool during in-service training for facility staff, and share it with members of Resident and Family Councils.
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Amity Overall-Laib Named Acting NORC Director
To assure continued, uninterrupted focus on National LTC Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) work and responsibilities, Consumer Voice Interim Executive Director Lori Smetanka has named Amity Overall-Laib as Acting NORC Director during this transition period.
Amity was a local ombudsman in Texas for six years before moving to Oregon and joining NORC at first as a consultant, and then as Manager of Program and Policy. She is an excellent advocate and resource for both State and Local Ombudsmen, and will be a tremendous asset in this new role. Amity can be reached at aoveralllaib@theconsumervoice.org.
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Advocates and Legislators Urge CMS to Ban Nursing Homes' Use of Forced Arbitration Agreements
Consumer Voice, along with 38 other national advocacy organizations, sent a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Wednesday, October 14th, asking the agency to ban the use of pre-dispute, forced arbitration agreements in nursing home contracts. CMS had solicited feedback from the public on whether or not the agency should prohibit these agreements as part of its proposed rule to revise the federal nursing home regulations. The letter and accompanying press release can be accessed here.
In addition to the organizational sign-on letter our organization supported, Marybeth Williams, Public Policy Associate, also participated in a press call urging CMS to ban these agreements in nursing home contracts along with representatives from AARP, Public Citizen, and the American Association of Justice, as well as former Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. House Energy & Commerce Committee Henry Waxman. Advocates are not alone in asking CMS to take action on this important matter. Fifteen State Attorneys General have also asked CMS to ban these agreements, as have thirty-four U.S. Senators and twenty-six Members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
You can learn more about this issue by visiting the Consumer Voice website here. Recently, McKnight's Long-Term Care News and NPR have covered this issue and efforts by advocates to ban these agreements - these pieces can be accessed here and here. Consumer Voice will be certain to update our network with any developments on this matter while we wait for further action from CMS on the proposed federal nursing home regulations.
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Consumer Voice and Network Submit Comments on Federal Nursing Home Regulations
Last Wednesday, October 14th, Consumer Voice and members of our network submitted final comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on proposed changes to the federal nursing home regulations. We would like to extend our gratitude to all who submitted comments and/or signed on to Consumer Voice's comments on this important matter. Over 160 individuals and groups submitted comments to us on the proposed rule, and over 70 national, state and local organizations - as well as over 100 individuals - signed on to the Consumer Voice comment letter. In addition, many groups and individuals submitted comments to CMS themselves. You can view Consumer Voice's final comments on the proposed rule here.
As the comment period is now closed, CMS must review all of the comments received from the public prior to issuing a final rule. Consumer Voice will be certain to update our network with any news on this matter as it awaits further action. Thank you again for your advocacy!
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ACL Adds New Listening Sessions for Feedback on Draft APS Systems Guidelines
The Administration for Community Living has added more opportunities to give feedback about the draft guidelines for State Adult Protective Services systems. The new listening sessions target those serving the minority aging community and the disability rights community, but all listening sessions are open to everyone. In addition, they’ve added a third Listening Session for the General Public.
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Philly.com Article Highlights Ombudsmen
The Consumer Voice was highlighted in a recent article on Philly.com entitled "Help for Mom? Call the ombudsman." The article provides the basics on how state and local ombudsmen can provide assistance to consumers in adult day care, nursing home and long-term care facilities. Consumer Voice provides contact information for ombudsmen in every state on our "Get Help" webpage. Plus, the article highlighted ombudsman programs Center in the Park and Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) in Philadelphia. The article reviews how ombudsmen can provide advocacy in many situations including: preventing a discharge, preventing reprisals, and easing bankruptcy concerns. Read the full article here.
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Consumer Voice Conference Is Only Two Weeks Away!
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There's still time to register for the Consumer Voice Annual Conference!
Check out an updated agenda on the Consumer Voice website. The agenda now features all session titles, descriptions and speakers. Plus:
- Get a headstart on the conference by attending one of our pre-conference intensives! There will be two pre-conference intensives offered on Wednesday, November 4th from 1:00pm-4:00pm. Intensive 1: Individualized Care Instead of Antipsychotic Medications: It's Really Possible! or Intensive 2: Advocacy Strategies and Appeals – Involuntary Discharge from Nursing Homes and Assisted Living. The intensives are $60.00 and run concurrently. Find out more about pre-conference intensives here.
- Attend the Conference Legal Track tailored to attorneys working for quality care. The 2015 Consumer Voice Conference is showcasing a series of special Legal Track Sessions on Thursday, November 5 for attorneys representing residents and for quality care. Find more information about these sessions here.
- Join in the celebration at Consumer Voice's 40th Anniversary Party! Thursday, November 5th 6:30-9:30pm ET. Congratulate Consumer Voice with a $40 message to be displayed at the party! Find more information about the party here.
See the full conference agenda on our website.
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Highlighted Resource - Care Journal for a Skilled Nursing Home Patient
Care Journal for a Skilled Nursing Home Patient - This book is designed to help friends and family members keep track of vital information while their loved one is in a nursing home. There are five sections in the journal for recording information to meaningfully track the care and services needed, provided, and omitted. The journal is offered by the Senior Care Institute, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, train, and inspire caregivers, family members and volunteers to support and assist elderly and disabled individuals in need of long-term care and support. For more information about how to obtain the book and available discounts, contact carejournal@outlook.com or go to the website at carejournal.net.
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Spotlight on Giving: 40th Anniversary Special Gifts Campaign
For 40 years, Consumer Voice – known for most of those years as NCCNHR – has been dedicated to achieving person-centered, quality long-term care. We have made significant progress in this time, but in an ever-changing world in which person-centered practices compete with other values such as “limited government” and provider profits, there are always new challenges. One is occurring right now. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed new regulations governing nursing homes that accept Medicare and Medicaid payments. This is the first new set of rules in 25 years. They actually espouse a great deal of movement toward person-centered practices, but in many areas the new rules will cause problems. One problem is the absence of a definitive staffing requirement for nursing care. This is a major oversight.
Here is where your support for Consumer Voice during our 40th anniversary comes in. We truly need your help. We have mounted an extensive, multi-organization effort to address problems in the new CMS regulations. Once we have submitted our comments and have helped other advocates to do the same, the next phases of our advocacy will ensue. This continues to be extremely important work and Consumer Voice is leading the way. Now, can you be counted to make a significant contribution to this effort? Each person decides what “significant” is. There are many ways you can give: donate online or by check, sign-up for a monthly automatic payment from your account, make a gift of stock – even donate a used car or other property. To discuss your gift and how you would like it recognized, please contact Lori Smetanka at lsmetanka@theconsumervoice.org or (202) 332-2275 x206. And for more information about the 40th Anniversary Campaign, click here.
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Spotlight on Educational Resources
The Consumer Voice and the National Ombudsman Resource Center have a multitude of resources available online covering a wide range of long-term care topics. Visit the Consumer Voice website and the NORC website to explore all the available resources. Take a look at this week's highlighted resource:
Get Help - Locate an Ombudsman - Find an Ombudsman, Citizen Advocacy Group (CAG), or other long-term care resources in your state or territory. Citizen Advocacy Groups are concerned citizens who advocate for quality long-term care, services and supports and quality of life for residents and consumers in their locality, state or region.
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In this Issue
Consumer Voice Releases "Put a STOP to Poor Care" Brochure
Amity Overall-Laib Named Acting NORC Director
Advocates and Legislators Urge CMS to Ban Nursing Homes' Use of Forced Arbitration Agreements
Consumer Voice and Network Submit Comments on Federal Nursing Home Regulations
ACL Adds New Listening Sessions for Feedback on Draft APS Systems Guidelines
Philly.com Article Highlights Ombudsmen
Consumer Voice Conference is Only Two Weeks Away!
Highlighted Resource - Care Journal for a Skilled Nursing Home Patient
Spotlight on Giving: 40th Anniversary Special Gifts Campaign
Spotlight on Educational Resources
Workplace Giving Campaigns: A Great Way to Help Support Consumer Voice
Workplace giving, whether the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), United Way or other workplace campaigns, are great easy ways to give to Consumer Voice. Our CFC number is: 10552. In other workplace campaigns, you may be able to write in Consumer Voice or some may still recognize us as NCCNHR. As long as you provide our address, the funds will get to us.
Consumer Voice
1001 Connecticut Ave., Ste. 425
Washington, DC 20036
Look for ways that you can give back to Consumer Voice through your workplace and please ask if your employer will match your contribution. Thank you!
Get Your CARE Matters Buttons and Wristbands
It's Residents' Rights Month! But it is not too late to order wristbands and buttons with the 2015 theme, CARE Matters! Wristbands and buttons are sold in packs of 20, 50 and 100. See the Consumer Voice online store for more information.
Calendar of Events
October: Residents' Rights Month, CARE Matters
Wednesday, October 21: APS Guidelines: General Public Listening Session III, 2:30pm ET, Listening session from ACL to solicit input on draft guidelines for State Adult Protective Services Systems
Thursday, October 22: APS Draft Guidelines: Minority Aging Network Listening Session, 2:30pm ET, Listening session from ACL to solicit input on draft guidelines for State Adult Protective Services Systems
Monday, October 26: Disability Rights Community Listening Session II, 2:30pm ET, Listening session from ACL to solicit input on draft guidelines for State Adult Protective Services Systems
November 1-7: National Memory Screening Week
November 4-7: Consumer Voice 39th Annual Conference, Arlington, Virginia
Thursday, November 5: Consumer Voice's 40th Anniversary Party, 6:30pm-9:30pm, Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, Arlington, VA
Wednesday, November 18: Put a STOP to Poor Care: Advocating for Quality, 3:00-4:15pm ET, Free webinar from Consumer Voice in collaboration with the National Center on Elder Abuse
Register Now for the Consumer Voice Annual Conference
November 4-7, 2015
Remember to register and book your hotel room now! Don't miss it! Find more information on our website.
Your Car Can Help Promote Quality Care - It's Easy!
Do you, a loved one or friend have a car that you or they would like to dispose of? Now, Consumer Voice can help – and your used car can help Consumer Voice! By working with our car disposal agency, Vehicle Donation to Any Charity (V-DAC), the proceeds from the sale of your car become a contribution to Consumer Voice.
Donating your car is easy - V-DAC comes to the location of the car and picks it up (whether the car can be driven or not). Provide the car's registration and title, and V-DAC will send you a contribution letter with the amount of the donation that was made.
Note: We are actually registered with the service as “NCCNHR” so when asked which charity you would like to benefit, just say or type in “NCCNHR.”
Here is a link to our page on the V-DAC site http://v-dac.com/org?id=52-1122531 and you can get started there – or just call 877-999-8322 toll free. And to discuss your donation with Consumer Voice, just write to us at info@theconsumervoice.org or call (202) 332-2275 x209
Join the conversation and follow us on social media!
Last Week's Most Popular Post:
Monday, October 19:
Last week, Consumer Voice sent a letter to CMS asking the agency to ban the use of forced arbitration clauses in nursing home contracts.
Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:
Friday, October 16:
Consumer Voice & Network Submit Comments on Proposed Changes to the Federal Nursing Home Regulations
Long-Term Care Resources & News
- Media outlets across the country have been highlighting Residents' Rights Month in October. Click here to see the many events happening nationwide.
Read past issues of The Voice here.
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