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November 25, 2014

Materials Available from Consumer Voice Annual Conference


Advocates from Texas represent their states as Consumer Voice Director of Public Policy & Advocacy welcomes attendees to the conference.

Powerpoints and handouts are now available from Consumer Voice's 38th Annual Conference held November 14-18, 2014.  Materials are available from plenaries and sessions held during the conference, and can be accessed on the Consumer Voice website.

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Proposed Bill Would Count Observation Stays Towards Post-Acute Services Coverage

A new draft bill from the House Committee on Ways and Means would make hospital observation stays count toward establishing Medicare eligibility for post-acute services.  The Hospitals Improvements for Payment (HIP) Act of 2014 would address problems with how short stays are reimbursed and proposes a new hospital prospective payment system to be in place by fiscal year 2020.  In the proposed system, overnight observation stays would be categorized as Part A inpatient hospital services and would count toward the three days that people need to spend as an inpatient to qualify for Medicare coverage of follow-up skilled nursing services.  For more information, read the article in McKnight's.

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Editorial in American Journal of Nursing Promotes Better Nursing Home Staffing

Maureen Shawn Kennedy, Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Nursing, recently wrote an editorial on better staffing in nursing homes.  In the article, Kennedy reviews the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Inspector General report from February 2014 which found that 33% of patients receiving post-acute care in skilled nursing facilities experienced adverse or "temporary harm" events.  She also points out that "research has repeatedly shown a correlation between RN staffing levels and care quality." 

Charlene Harrington, professor emeritus at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Nursing, holds the for-profit model responsible for poor nursing home staffing, saying that companies try to keep labor costs as low as possible, especially RN hours.  "Until we have a minimum federal standard for staffing hours that includes clear minimums for RNs, I don't think quality will improve," Harrington said. Kennedy concludes that "More RNs = better care."  And she encourages others to support the recent proposed legislation from Representative Jan Schakowsky that would require all nursing homes receiving federal funds to have an RN on duty 24 hours per day. 

For more information about better staffing, go to Consumer Voice's Better Staffing: The Key to Better Care campaign page.  Join the staffing campaign here.

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#GivingTuesday is December 2nd

Black Friday.   Cyber Monday.    #GivingTuesday
We have a day for giving thanks.  We have two for getting deals.  
Now, we have #GivingTuesday to give back.

On Tuesday, December 2nd, please join Consumer Voice in celebrating #GivingTuesday by making a contribution to Consumer Voice.  We are dedicating all #GivingTuesday contributions to support for family and resident councils which represent and advance consumer interests in long-term care settings.

Also, please let all of your email, Facebook and Twitter contacts know about your #GivingTuesday support for Consumer Voice - and why they should join you in supporting this critically important cause.  Your message could say, “Please join me in supporting the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care on Giving Tuesday” and provide this link: www.theconsumervoice.org/about/contributions/giving-tuesday

To donate now, click here.  For more information, visit our website.

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Center for Public Integrity Releases Three-Part Series on Nursing Home Quality Issues

The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative journalism organization, has published three in-depth articles by journalist Jeff Kelly Lowenstein focused on nursing home quality issues. The first piece, Analysis shows widespread discrepancies in staffing levels reported by nursing homes, was published on November 12, 2014 and focuses on research done by the Center showing large-scale discrepancies in the nurse staffing information self-reported by nursing homes on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Nursing Home Compare website. By comparing staffing information contained in cost reports nursing homes make annually to the Medicare program and staffing data reported on Nursing Home Compare, the Center found that the majority of facilities – more than 80% of nursing homes nationwide – report higher levels of registered nurse care to Nursing Home Compare than are reflected in annual cost reports.To view the Center for Public Integrity’s report, click here. The Center has also included a search feature that permits individuals to search and find the discrepancies in staffing information for more than 10,400 individual nursing homes across the country based on facility name or location.

The second Lowenstein article was published on November 13, 2014, and is entitled Poorly rated nursing homes got HUD-guaranteed mortgages anyway. It details how hundreds of nursing homes that have been given low quality ratings in CMS’s five-star rating system continue to receive billions of dollars in loan assistance through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) despite ongoing incidences of poor care. The last piece, Nursing homes serving minorities offering less care than those housing whites, was published on November 17, 2014 and documents how discrepancies in registered nurse care are particularly striking in nursing homes where the majority of residents were either black or Latino. All of the articles, as well as the methodology used in Mr. Lowenstein’s research, can be found on the Center for Public Integrity’s website here

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Massive Open Online Course from Johns Hopkins Center for Innovative Care in Aging

John Hopkins Center for Innovative Care in Aging is holding a 5-week, free Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) entitled "Living with Dementia: Impact on Individuals, Caregivers, Communities and Societies".  The course is geared toward health professionals and students, family caregivers, friends of affected individuals, and others interested in learning about dementia and quality care.  The course is led by Drs. Nancy Hodgson and Laura Gitlin, and participants will acquire foundational knowledge in the care of persons with Alzheimer's Disease and other neurocognitive disorders.  Enroll three ways: for free; Signtature Track to receive a Verified Certiificate; or Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) Credit.  For more information click here or contact learn@jhu.edu.

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Webinar on Oral Health and Dementia

Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders (NICHE) is holding an oral health and dementia webinar on December 10th at 1:00pm EST. This webinar, put on by NICHE, the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, and the Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice program, will discuss key oral health problems for older adults with dementia and interprofessional assessment and treatment strategies.  Register here.

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WINGS Funding Available for Two Additional States

In 2011, the Third National Guardianship Summit recommended that states create Working Interdisciplinary Networks of Guardianship Stakeholders (WINGS) to advance reform in adult guardianship and promote less restrictive options. With support from the State Justice Institute and the Albert and Elaine Borchard Foundation Center on Law and Aging, the National Guardianship Network (NGN) in 2013 awarded four states a $7,000 grant plus technical assistance to create WINGS groups. In October 2014, the National Guardianship Network received additional funds from SJI and Borchard, which will allow support for WINGS in two additional states.

NGN has invited the chief justice and state court administrator of each state to partner with community entities in establishing and maintaining such ongoing interdisciplinary problem-solving networks.  The two new states will each receive $7,000 to help start WINGS, as well as help from NGN experts. See an example of an individualized cover letter and the Request for Proposals sent to each chief justice and state court administrator at  www.nationalguardianshipnetwork.org.

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New Hydracone Formulation Resists Abuse

During the past two decades, research has shown that aggressive treatment of pain contributes to patient well-being and quality of life.  There is no need to encourage stoicism and delaying timely and sufficient doses of medications that stop suffering is to be avoided.  Yet, prescriptions available in hospitals or other settings may not be transferred to nursing homes or be available on a timely basis – or maybe not be available in such facilities at all.  One concern with opioid and hydrocodone medications is that they can be abused and are subject to theft.  One new development may alleviate concerns about having hydrocodone medications in long-term care facilities.  In a new approach to controlling drug abuse, the FDA has approved a new hydrocodone formulation that is difficult to abuse.  In the new formulation, the tablet is difficult to crush, break or dissolve. It also forms a viscous hydrogel (thick gel) and cannot be easily prepared for injection. The FDA has determined that the physical and chemical properties of this formulation, called Hysingla ER, make abuse difficult although not completely impossible.  For more information, read the FDA press release.

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National Library Service Seeks Individuals to Participate in Videos

The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress, is producing videos featuring testimonials from NLS patrons who have used the braille and talking book program. These videos will raise awareness of NLS services so that all may read, and encourage more people to take advantage of the library's resources.  NLS seeks NLS program users who are willing to speak on camera about their favorable experiences. We especially want to include patrons who are aging adults, students, veterans, or have a physical disability.
 
Interested patrons should contact Caroline DiStefano directly at 703.835.9177 or cdistefano@reingold.com for more information. They will be interviewed over the phone before being selected as confirmed participants in the video shoot.

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Snow Causes Evacuation for Nursing Home Near Buffalo

The recent snow accumulation near Buffalo, New York caused several days of tumult for residents of a local nursing home.  After a warehouse next to the Garden Gate Health Care Facility collapsed, the nursing home was given an evacuation order.  About 177 residents were loaded into vans and driven to AppleTree business park to await dispersal to other facilities. As the residents waited, one resident suffered what may have been a seizure and later died after being transported to another nursing home.  The other residents  returned to Garden Gate two nights later after the building was determined to be safe.  Administrators from the nursing home said they had a detailed evacuation plan in place and that it was followed properly.  For more information, read the story in the New York Times.

It is important for individuals and organization to be equipped to handle emergency situations when they arise by identifying how they can prepare in advance and steps to take once an emergency situation occurs.  For tools and resources for emergency preparedness, visit NORC's website and put emergency preparedness on your resident and family council meeting agendas.

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In this Issue

Materials Available from Consumer Voice Annual Conference

Proposed Bill Would Count Observation Stays in Post-Acute Services Coverage

Editorial in American Journal of Nursing Promotes Better Nursing Home Staffing

#GivingTuesday is December 2nd

Center for Public Integrity Releases  Three-Part Series on Nursing Home Quality Issues

Massive Open Online Course from Johns Hopkins Center for Innovative Care in Aging

Webinar on Oral Health and Dementia

WINGS Funding Available for Two Additional States

New Hydracone Formulation Resists Abuse

National Library Service Seeks Individuals to Participate in Videos

Snow Causes Evacuation for Nursing Home Near Buffalo


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


Calendar of Events

Tuesday, December 2: #GivingTuesday, Make plans to make a contribution to Consumer Voice and to ask all of your contacts, friends and social media followers to join you.

Friday, December 5: Facebook First Friday, Topic: Retaliation

Wednesday, December 10: Addressing Elder Issues in Indian Country, 9am-5pm EST, Webcast (and in-person event in Norman, OK) sponsored by the National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative

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

Thursday, December 11: Teamwork: Nurses and Nursing Assistants Working Together to Provide Person-Centered Care, 2:00pm EST, Session 4 in Pioneer Network's webinar series "The Pivotal Role of Nurses in Assuring Quality and Person-Directed Care"


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.


Support Consumer Voice While You Shop Online During the Holidays

You can now shop on Amazon while supporting the Consumer Voice!  Consumer Voice is now listed as a part of AmazonSmile, an easy and automatic way to support Consumer Voice every time you shop, at no cost to you.  The Consumer Voice receives a donation of a portion of the purchase price every time you make a purchase.  All Amazon purchases cost the same as they normally would.  

To shop at AmazonSmile, click this link or go to smile.amazon.com and input "NCCNHR" as your charity of choice. For more information about AmazonSmile, click here.  Begin shopping now at smile.amazon.com!

Planning on shopping online on Cyber Monday? Continue in the spirit of giving and donate to Consumer Voice on Giving Tuesday! After you contribute, use #GivingTuesday on Facebook and Twitter to encourage others to give too!


Did You Know?

If you make a tribute contribution in honor of an individual or organization, or in memory of a person, we will send the appropriate contact an acknowledgment recognizing your contribution (but not the amount).  All you have to do is supply their mailing address.  And you will also receive a donation receipt, too.


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 1 month FREE!

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


Join the conversation and follow us on social media!

Last Week's Most Popular Post:

Wednesday, November 19:
Consumer Voice founder Elma Holder presents the Elma Holder Founder's Award for lifetime achievement to Kathy Greenlee, Administrator, Administration for Community Living, and Assistant Secretary for Aging at HHS.

Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:

Wednesday, November 19
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Elma Holder giving Ass't Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee Founder's Award at Consumer Voice' Conference


Long-Term Care Resources & News


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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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