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January 17, 2017
Senators Re-Introduce Seniors Fraud Prevention Act
Last week, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) re-introduced the Seniors Fraud Prevention Act of 2017. The legislation would crack down on fraud targeted at seniors like fraudulent investment plans, prizes and sweepstakes, internet fraud, charity scams, predatory home lenders, telemarketing and mail fraud, and Ponzi schemes. The bill would educate seniors about fraud schemes and improve monitoring and response to fraud complaints. Read the full bill here and the press release here.
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California Nursing Homes Receiving Low Level Citations for Resident Deaths
A recent report from Disability Rights California (DRC) and an article in the Sacramento Bee outline the failure of the California Department of Public Health (Licensing) to issue the maximum penalty in the case of deaths of residents of long-term care facilities due to staff misconduct. The report from DRC looks in-depth at the case of seven residents who died as a result of poor care (though Licensing did not find that negligent care was a direct cause of the resident's death) and analyzed hundreds of cases in which Licensing issued lower level citations for death where the conduct of nursing home staff directly contributed to the residents' death. Examples of these incidents include residents who choked to death when they were given the wrong diets and residents who were strangled in bed restraints. The DRC report highlights Licensing's failure to hold long-term care facilities fully accountable for resident deaths and to consistently apply the same citation level when staff misconduct is a direct proximate cause of a resident’s death. Read the full report here.
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Request for Proposals for Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders
The ABA Commission on Law and Aging with the National Center for State Courts has released a Request for Proposals to the highest court in each state to establish, expand and enhance state Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS). State courts could be offered up to $20,000 to establish or expand WINGS (with special provision for up to $30,000 for selected states with an intensive focus). Selected applicants will receive expert technical assistance including help with strategic planning, outcome measurement, and data collection, as well as opportunities for information-sharing with other state WINGS. The proposal deadline is February 28, 2017. For more information, click here.
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ACL Guidance for Outreach to Holocaust Survivors
The Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended in 2016, included a provision requiring the Assistant Secretary for Aging to issue guidance to the Aging Services Network on serving Holocaust survivors. The guidance issued provides promising practices in conducting outreach and providing services to the Holocaust population. The guidance examines the unique needs and challenges of serving Holocaust survivors, with a particular focus on mental and physical health, nutrition, transportation, caregiver support, outreach, legal and ombudsman services, with a foundation in person-centered, trauma-informed approaches. Access the guidance here.
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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:
Abuse and Neglect - This Consumer Voice fact sheet provides information on identifying and reporting abuse and neglect.
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In this Issue
Senators Re-Introduce Seniors Fraud Prevention Act
California Nursing Homes Receiving Low Level Citations for Resident Deaths
Request for Proposals for Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders
ACL Guidance for Outreach to Holocaust Survivors
Spotlight on Educational Resources
Combined Federal Campaign
#10552
Thank you for your support!
Calendar of Events
Wednesday, January 18: Benefits for Consumers in the Revised Nursing Home Regulations, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from Justice in Aging
Tuesday, February 7: The Sexual Abuse of Vulnerable Adults in Institutions: Key Findings and Implications for Practice, 2:00pm ET
November 8-11, 2017: Consumer Voice 41st Annual Conference, Arlington, VA
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