Spread the word » Facebook Twitter

April 24, 2018

Older Americans Month Materials Available

Older Americans Month (OAM) begins May 1, and this year's theme is Engage at Every Age.  The theme emphasizes that you are never too old (or young) to take part in activities that can enrich your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It also celebrates the many ways in which older adults make a difference in our communities.  Participating in activities that promote mental and physical wellness, offering your wisdom and experience to the next generation, seeking the mentorship of someone with more life experience than you—those are just a few examples of what being engaged can mean. No matter where you are in your life, there is no better time than now to start. 

The OAM 2018 website has promotional materials, including social media graphics, activity suggestions, and resources.

Back to Top

April is Medicaid Awareness Month

Medicaid Awareness Month is meant to educate the public on this critical program and how it strengthens American communities.  More than 6.9 million seniors have Medicaid coverage, and 6 in 10 nursing home residents receive coverage. However, Medicaid is in danger of cuts including President Trump's most recent budget which would cut the program by $1.4 trillion.  Medicaid Awareness Month highlights the importance of the program for kids, families, older adults, and people with disabilities.  The month will culminate in the Medicaid Day of Action on April 30th. 

For more information and materials, click here.  Click here for a fact sheet on How Medicaid Works for Seniors and Older Adults.

Back to Top

Materials Available from Nursing Home Closure Webinar

Materials are available from the recent Consumer Voice webinar "When Nursing Homes Close: Hear from Pilot States."  Representatives from Michigan and Tennessee's closure teams shared their experiences over the past year as they developed mission statements, clarified roles of the different state agencies, created a written process, and developed tools for addressing transfer trauma. 

Listen to the webinar recording and download PowerPoint slides here

Find more resources on nursing home closures:

Back to Top

2018 Resident's Voice Challenge

Participate in the 2018 Resident's Voice Challenge! Residents and long-term care consumers are encouraged to pick up their pens, turn on their cameras or use a computer to display their writing or artistic skills by submitting essays, poems, artwork, drawings, or videos related to the theme for Residents' Rights Month 2018 "Speak Up: Know Your Rights and How to Use Them."

Participants are encouraged to answer any of the following questions:

  1. What do you want people to know about you and how you like to receive care?
  2. Share an example of how you exercise your rights on an ongoing basis.
  3. How do you work with staff, family and other residents to promote quality care and what can they do to help reach that goal?
  4. Give advice to a new resident about exercising their rights.

Possible types of entry include video or audio recording, poems, artwork or drawings, photos or essays. 

Mail entries to 1001 Connecticut Ave. NW, Suite 625, Washington, DC 20036 or email to info@theconsumervoice.org.  Submission deadline is September 1st, so get started planning now!

Find more details here and on our website.  Download our flyer to encourage consumers to participate!

Back to Top


Spotlight on 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:

6 Steps for Getting Quality Care in an Assisted Living Facility - This fact sheet provides six practical tips and several resources for getting quality care in assisted living.

Back to Top

In this Issue

Older Americans Month Materials Available

April is Medicaid Awareness Month

Materials Available from Nursing Home Closure Webinar

2018 Resident's Voice Challenge


Spotlight on Resources


Calendar of Events

April: Medicaid Awareness Month

Thursday, April 26: Reframing Aging: Research-Based Messaging Strategies for Aging Advocates and Communicators, 1:00pm ET Webinar from FrameWorks Institute

May: Older Americans Month

Tuesday, May 8: Legal Basics: Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Resources, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from the National Center on Law & Elder Rights

Friday, May 11: Dr. Joshua M. Wiener's Legacy: Keep on Marching!, 1:00-5:00pm ET, Symposium in Washington, DC

Friday, June 15: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

October: Residents' Rights Month, Speak Up: Know Your Rights and How to Use Them

October 22-24: Consumer Voice Annual Conference, Alexandria, Virginia


Join the conversation and follow us on social media!

Last Week's Most Popular Post:

Monday, April 16:
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer service.

Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:

Tuesday, April 17:

April is Medicaid Awareness Month


Long-Term Care Resources & News



Read past issues of The Voice here.


Support the Consumer Voice While You Shop Online

About The Voice

The Voice is a weekly e-newsletter, published by the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. 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 © 2018.

If you did not receive The Voice through a subscription, but would like to join our mailing list to receive future issues, click here.

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. Consumer Voice's mission is to represent consumers at the national level for quality long-term care, services and supports.


Click here to unsubscribe