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July 21, 2015

Older Americans Act Reauthorization Passes Senate

Last week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed S. 192, the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act (OAA) of 2015. The Act was last reauthorized in 1996, and is the primary vehicle for services and funding in every state that support the dignity and welfare of individuals age 60 and older. These services include home-and-community based services; nutritional programs; health promotion and disease prevention activities for seniors; and programs that protect vulnerable seniors, such as the long-term care ombudsman program. OAA-supported programs such as Meals on Wheels, transportation services, caregiver assistance and elder abuse protection are just some of the vital functions the OAA delivers.   Consumer Voice signed onto a July 14th letter supporting reauthorization of the Act and celebrating its 50th anniversary.  Read the text of the bill here, and read Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee's statement here

The focus is now on the House of Representatives, which has not yet introduced a bill. The hope is the Senate's bipartisan agreement, which passed unanimously out of Committee and on the floor without objection or amendment, can provide the base for bipartisan agreement in the House as well.

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Proposed Revisions to the Federal Nursing Home Regulations Now Published & Available for Comment

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has officially published its proposed revisions to the current regulations (also known as the Requirements of Participation) for nursing homes participating in the Medicare and/or Medicaid programs. This proposed rule is available to view in full at the Federal Register website. Interested individuals, groups and organizations will be able to submit formal comments on the rule until September 14th, 2015 through the Federal Register site.

CMS first announced that it would be revising the Requirements of Participation for nursing homes in 2012; at that time, Consumer Voice, other advocates, and stakeholders submitted detailed recommendations to the agency on ways the current rules could be updated and strengthened.

Consumer Voice is still analyzing the proposed revisions to the Requirements of Participation but, upon initial review, is pleased to see a number of provisions that would maintain and strengthen residents’ rights in certain areas; enhance individualized, person-centered care; and improve resident access to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. However, Consumer Voice, along with other advocates, is strongly concerned and disappointed over CMS's failure to address understaffing in the proposed revisions. The proposed rule does not set forward a minimum staffing standard or a requirement for the twenty-four hour presence of a registered nurse in facilities. In addition, there appears to be some proposed revisions that may negatively impact resident quality of life and quality care.

Consumer Voice is developing a comparison of the proposed and current regulations. In addition, we will prepare a summary of the changes and sample comments that advocates can edit if desired and submit.

The Requirements of Participation set critical standards for the quality of life and quality of care for nursing home residents. CMS must receive feedback from advocates on the proposed revisions to ensure that any changes to the existing regulations would benefit, and not harm, residents. Stay tuned for more information and tools to help advocate on this important matter!

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Medicare Support for Speech Devices

Last week, Congress passed the Steve Gleason Act.  The Act ensures that Medicare will pay for Speech Generating Devices, allows people to keep speech generating devices (SGDs) for as long as they need them, regardless of the care setting they find themselves in and provides coverage for needed accessories.  The bill is a first step toward ensuring continuous Medicare coverage for individuals who qualify for Durable Medical Equipment serving as SGDs and for accessories that are needed to effectively utilize such devices.  Click here for more information.

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Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act Introduced

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) has introduced H.R. 1653, the "Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act of 2015."  The bill would permit Medicare to provide coverage for hearing aids.  Last Tuesday, Rep. Dingell along with Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) discussed the bill at a news conference. Currently, Medicare does not provide coverage for hearing assessments or hearing aids, although millions of beneficiaries live with hearing loss.  Lack of hearing aids has an impact on quality of life, and new research indicates that hearing loss is connected to depression, isolation and an increased risk of cognitive impairment. Rep. Dingell’s bill would improve access to hearing aids and related examinations by removing part of the Social Security Act that prevents Medicare from covering hearing aids.  For more information, click here.

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Nominate Your Gems by Friday!

Are you looking for a way to recognize a long-term care consumer, long-term care ombudsman, family caregiver, citizen advocate, or another individual for their advocacy on behalf of long-term care consumers?

Since this year marks our 40th anniversary and the traditional 40th anniversary gift is a ruby we encourage you to nominate the gems you know that are dedicated to “making quality care matter” and have made significant contributions to improving the lives of long-term care consumers.

Based on your nominations, Consumer Voice will recognize people who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to improving the lives of long-term care consumers.

Visit our website for additional information about the awards and nomination process.

There are 3 easy steps to submit a nomination!
1. Review the award categories and criteria.
2. Complete the nomination form via SurveyMonkey.
3. Submit a letter of recommendation.

Individual and group members of the Consumer Voice may nominate people for an award. Awards will be presented at our 39th Annual Conference, November 4-7, 2015, in Arlington, Virginia.

Contact us if you have any questions.

Deadline Extended! Nominations are due by Friday, July 24

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Final Notice - Register Today for Webinar on Bullying in LTC Facilities

Identifying, Preventing and Responding to Bullying in Long-Term Care Facilities
Tuesday, July 28th 3:00-4:15pm EST

Register today to join a discussion about the prevalence of bullying among residents in long-term care facilities and learn how to identify, prevent, and respond to these incidents.

Dr. Robin Bonifas, John A. Hartford Faculty Scholar in Geriatric Social Work, Associate Professor with the School of Social Work at Arizona State University has years of experience working with older adults in long-term care settings and she will discuss her recent work regarding bullying among residents in LTC settings.

Following Dr. Bonifas’ presentation NORC staff will share resources regarding resident-to-resident mistreatment and advocacy tips and strategies to increase awareness of these incidents, ensure the rights of all residents are respected, and demonstrate how individualized care is critical to preventing and responding to bullying in long-term care facilities.

Register Now!

This free webinar is open to all Long-Term Care Ombudsmen, but space is limited.

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ACL Invites Feedback on Draft APS Guidelines

tThe Administration for Community Living (ACL) is inviting comment and hosting 12 listening sessions on the newly-released draft voluntary guidelines for Adult Protective Services (APS) systems.  APS agencies in all states receive and respond to reports of maltreatment of older adults  and adults with disabilities and work to maximize clients' safety and independence.  ACL is developing national guidelines in order to provide a core set of principles and common expectations to encourage consistency in the policies and practices of APS across the country. Through October 13th, ACL is encouraging members of the public to provide feedback on the draft guidelines by commenting via an electronic form on the ACL website and by holding 12 listening sessions via conference call and in person at national conferences.

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Briefly Noted...

  • The Advancing Excellence in Long-Term Care Collaborative, of which Consumer Voice is a member organization, is offering workshops in 15 cities this fall for nursing home personnel on infection prevention and management.  Click here to get dates, locations and registration information. 
  • The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has launched a new section of their website on aging. Visit the webpage at www.hhs.gov/aging.

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Spotlight on Giving: 40th Anniversary Special Gifts Campaign

A critical focus of the Consumer Voice board of directors is ensuring that the organization is able to address effectively the long-term care challenges affecting people today and in the years ahead. A key focus is to fully fund Consumer Voice public policy and advocacy initiatives which are critical at a time like now when new rules are being written and when cost pressures further threaten the commitment to quality, person-centered care and the rights of long-term care consumers. The board has started the year with its own fundraising campaign seeking double the level of annual contributions from each member and now it is reaching out to all members of the Consumer Voice constituency to ask that each person consider making a special contribution to the organization this year.  Contributions can be made online here, monthly, as a gift of stock, in recognition of an individual, organization, or in other ways.  To discuss your gift and how you would like it recognized, please contact Richard Gelula at rgelula@theconsumervoice.org or (202) 332-2275 x209.  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:

Resident-Directed Care Information Page  - 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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Research: Quote of the Week

"A recent PointRight study revealed a strong correlation between (SNF) staffing and rehospitalization rates; the higher the staffing, the lower the rehospitalization. Although not all staff types seem to have the same impact; registered nurses had the strongest correlation. Those SNFs who staff in the top 20% of RN hours per resident day have an average observed rehospitalization rate almost 4% lower than those SNFs staffing in the lowest 20%."  Steven Litterhale, gerontological clinical nurse specialist, and executive vice president and chief clinical officer at PointRight Inc. McKnight's Long-Term Care News, 7/21/15

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In this Issue

Older Americans Act Reauthorization Passes Senate

Proposed Revisions to the Federal Nursing Home Regulations Now Published & Available for Comment

Medicare Support for Speech Devices

Medicare Hearing Aid Coverage Act Introduced

Nominate Your Gems by Friday!

Final Notice - Register Today for Webinar on Bullying in LTC Facilities

ACL Invites Feedback on Draft APS Guidelines


Briefly Noted...


Spotlight on Giving: 40th Anniversary Special Gifts Campaign

Spotlight on Educational Resources

Research: Quote of the Week


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!


Calendar of Events

Tuesday, July 28: Identifying, Preventing and Responding to Bullying in Long-Term Care Facilities, 3:00pm ET, Webinar from NORC

Thursday, August 27: How to Grow, Support, and Activate Your Network, Advocacy skills training webinar from the Consumer Voice

October: Residents' Rights Month, CARE Matters

November 4-7, 2015: Consumer Voice 39th Annual Conference, Crystal City, Virginia


Register Now for the Consumer Voice Annual Conference November 4-7, 2015


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:

Saturday, July 11:
We thank our Missouri friends for raising alarms about cutbacks - nine lost nursing home inspector positions - made by the state legislature.

Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:

Friday, July 17
:
AANC - AALTCN merger: consolidation = unified voice, strength for long-term care nursing


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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 © 2015.

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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.


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