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December 1, 2015
GAO Report on Nursing Home Quality Calls for Improvement in Data and Oversight from CMS
The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has released a report entitled, "Nursing Home Quality: CMS Should Continue to Improve Data and Oversight." To help ensure nursing home residents receive quality care, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) define quality standards homes must meet to participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. To monitor compliance with these standards, CMS enters into agreements with state survey agencies to conduct on-site surveys of the state's homes and also collects other data on nursing home quality. The GAO report sought to examine 1) the extent to which reported nursing home quality has changed in recent years and the factors that may have affected any observed changes, and 2) how CMS oversight activities have changed in recent years.
The study found that CMS's ability to use available data to assess nursing home quality is complicated by issues with the data which make it difficult to determine whether observed trends reflect actual changes in quality. For example, clinical quality measures use data that are self-reported by nursing homes, and while CMS has begun auditing the self-reported data, it does not have clear plans to continue. In recent years, CMS has made numerous modifications to its nursing home oversight activities, but has not monitored the potential effect of these modifications on nursing home quality oversight. State survey agency officials who conduct surveys for CMS also made modifications which could have either a positive or negative effect on oversight, but CMS does not have an effective mechanism for monitoring. Federal internal control standards require ongoing monitoring as a part of normal program operations; without this monitoring, CMS cannot ensure that any modifications in oversight do not adversely affect its ability to assess nursing home quality. Read the full report here.
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Office of the LTC Ombudsman Programs Publishes Emergency Preparedness Model Policies and Procedures
The Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs within the Administration on Aging has published "Emergency Preparedness and Response: Model Policies and Procedures for State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs." These model policies and procedures clarify appropriate functions and limitations of ombudsman programs in preparing for and responding to emergencies affecting long-term care facility residents; assist ombudsman programs in developing program policies and procedures related to emergency preparedness; and assist State Unit on Aging and area agencies on aging to incorporate the functions of ombudsman programs into their emergency preparedness planning. The model policies and procedures seek to support resident-centered focus; system-level representation of residents' interests; coordination and communication; and emergency preparedness. Read the full model policies and procedures here.
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Justice in Aging Seeks to Close HCBS Medicaid Coverage Gaps
In many states, Medicaid coverage for home and community-based services (HCBS) does not begin until after a Medicaid service plan has been formally approved, even if the person has been receiving services for weeks or months prior to approval while meeting all eligibility requirements. Justice In Aging believes that these coverage gaps violate the federal law that requires Medicaid coverage to be retroactive up to three months prior to application, for all days during which the applicant met eligibility requirements. If your state has an HCBS Medicaid coverage gap, contact Justice in Aging to explore how your state's system might be reformed; email ecarlson@justiceinaging.org. Read more about the issue here.
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Notification of Intent to Apply to the Elder Justice AmeriCorps Program Due December 9th
Organizations interested in applying for the Elder Justice AmeriCorps program must submit notification of their intent to apply by December 9, 2015 at 5:00pm ET. The Office for Victims of Crime's (OVC) new grant program, Elder Justice AmeriCorps, will provide comprehensive legal assistance and support services to victims of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and promote pro bono capacity building in the field. The Elder Justice AmeriCorps program is intended to complement existing OVC grants, and will consist of a single grant to an intermediary organization that will support 60 full-time AmeriCorps positions for each year of the two-year program. Notification of intent to apply is due December 9th at 5:00pm ET, and applications are due by January 20, 2016 at 5:00pm ET. For more information, click here.
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Today is #GivingTuesday
Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Giving Tuesday.
We have a day for giving thanks. We have two for getting deals.
Now, we have Giving Tuesday to give back.
Our organization has always drawn strength from our network. Your support allows us to support consumers receiving long-term services and supports - fighting for their rights, promoting quality care and quality of life, and providing information and resources.
Please support Consumer Voice by making a contribution. All contributions made on Giving Tuesday count towards our end of year Matching Campaign to raise $40k to start our next 40 Years of Advocacy.
Support the Consumer Voice
Today, we ask you to join our efforts in reaching our goal and spread the word as we enter the holiday giving season. Share this note with others who share our mission, and add your note of encouragement for their donations. Use #GivingTuesday on social media to show your support of Consumer Voice's Matching Campaign.
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Materials Available from "Put a STOP to Poor Care" Webinar
The "Put a STOP to Poor Care" webinar was held by Consumer Voice in collaboration with the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) in order to provide a basic framework to help long-term care residents, their family members, and other advocates identify quality care and potential issues. Regardless of where an individual receives long-term care services and supports they are entitled to receive quality, person-centered care. The webinar presenters identify indicators of quality care and warning signs of poor care, provide communication tips, and share advocacy strategies to help consumers, family members, and others advocate for individualized care. Presenters also share available resources to assist in advocating for quality care and review the role of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) Program and how to seek assistance from the LTCO program. Access the webinar materials here and the "Put a STOP to Poor Care" brochure here. The brochures are available for bulk purchases on our website.
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Study Finds that 10% of Older Americans Have Been Victims of Abuse
An article in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that at least 10 percent of older Americans have been a victim of abuse. The researchers note that this statistic is likely too low since it is based on self-reported cases. The article suggests that since abuse can take on many forms - sexual, emotional, physical, financial - and involve complicated issues that effective responses must take a multidisciplinary approach. Researchers emphasized an integrated approach for treating victims, providing a variety of services that are connected to each other. Read the article from NPR.
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Spotlight on Educational Resources
The Consumer Voice and the National Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) 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:
Resident-Directed Care - Consumer Voice encourages all residents, family members and advocates to learn more about the resident directed/centered care, also called "culture change," that is in many ways the full implementation of the 1987 nursing home reform law.
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In this Issue
GAO Report on Nursing Home Quality Calls for Improvement in Data and Oversight from CMS
Office of the LTC Ombudsman Programs Publishes Emergency Preparedness Model Policies & Procedures
Justice in Aging Seeks to Close HCBS Medicaid Coverage Gaps
Notification of Intent to Apply to the Elder Justice AmeriCorps Program Due December 9th
Today is #GivingTuesday
Materials Available from "Put a STOP to Poor Care" Webinar
Study Finds that 10% of Older Americans Have Been Victims of Abuse
Spotlight on Educational Resources
Combined Federal Campaign
#10552
Thank you for your support!
Get Your CARE Matters Buttons and Wristbands
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
Tuesday, December 1: #GivingTuesday
Wednesday, December 2: Patients with Cognitive Impairment: The Rumble in the Bundle, 2pm ET, Free webinar from Cognitive Solutions LLC
Wednesday, December 9: Patients with Cognitive Impairment: The Rumble in the Bundle, 2pm ET, Free webinar from Cognitive Solutions LLC (Repeat of Dec. 2nd)
Wednesday, December 16: Hospital Care and Dementia: A Tough Mix, 2pm ET, Free webinar from Cognitive Solutions LLC
Wednesday, January 6: Hospital Care and Dementia: A Tough Mix, 2pm ET, Free webinar from Cognitive Solutions LLC (Repeat of Dec. 16th)
November 2-5, 2016: Consumer Voice 40th Annual Conference, Arlington, VA
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Monday, November 30:
Closing Medicaid HCBS Coverage Gaps: Contact Justice in Aging to Explore How Your State's System Might Be Reformed
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Monday, November 24:
This month we honor policymakers for advocating for long-term care issues
Long-Term Care Resources & News
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