September 22, 2015

Recall Reannounced for Adult Portable Bed Handles

(One type of bedrail being recalled)

After a very low response rate to the recall, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Bed Handles, Inc. have reannounced the recall of about 113,000 adult portable bed handles.  When the bed handle is attached to a bed without the use of safety retention straps, a handle can shift out of place creating a gap between the bed handle and the side of the mattress, posing a serious risk of entrapment, strangulation and death.  Three women have died after becoming entrapped.  The recall is for adult portable bed handles sold by Bed Handles, Inc. from 1994 through 2007 that do not have safety retention straps.  CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop using these bed handles.  For more information, visit CPSC's website.

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Analysis Finds Nursing Homes Violate Federal Standards Year After Year

Coalition for Quality Care (CQC), along with Coalition member Voices for Quality Care, have conducted a new analysis of federal inspection records of nursing homes collected by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).  Their analysis found that 44% of nursing homes were permitted to continue to take in new residents and receive public funds after having repeat violations of the same quality of care standards three years in a row.  The analysis used historical inspection data to identify nursing homes that habitually violated the same minimum federal standards year after year.  Richard Mollot, President of CQC, said, "Unfortunately, this analysis confirms our collective experiences with nursing homes across the country.  Far too many people live in facilities where abuse and neglect continue year after year, with little or no effective intervention by regulators."  For more information, read CQC's press release.

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There's Still Time to Preorder Your Copy of 40 Words of Wisdom!

40 Words of Wisdom is a unique keepsake book featuring written entries and artwork created by residents around the nation sharing their words of wisdom, thoughts on care and creativity.

CARE Matters is the theme of this year's Residents' Rights Month, designated by Consumer Voice as a time to highlight rights and quality in long-term care settings. Residents were asked to share how CARE Matters and they let their voices be heard--we received more than 100 entries from all over the country!!!

As part of the Consumer Voice’s 40th Anniversary celebration, we selected 40 of our favorites--moving essays, touching poetry and beautiful art--and combined them into 40 Words of Wisdom, a poignant collaboration of resident voices across the nation. This is a must-have collection!

This book would be a great training tool on residents' rights for ombudsmen and staff or it can be a special keepsake for residents and consumers to encourage them to let their voices be heard!

Preorder your copy of the book now and receive it in October!

Consumer Voice members receive a 10% discount at checkout. Join to get this and other benefits.
For bulk discounts (orders 25 or more), contact info@theconsumervoice.org. You may only utilize one discount - member or bulk discount - per order.

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Resources Available on Flu + You

The National Council on Aging has provided materials on their website Flu + You to help educate older adults and their caregivers about the seriousness of influenza, the importance of prevention and available vaccine options.  Visit the Flu + You website at https://www.ncoa.org/flu to view this year's PSA with Judith Light and download educational materials including presentations and infographics.

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APS Fact Sheet and Flow Chart Available Now

In collaboration with the National Adult Protective Services Agency (NAPSA), the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) has released two new resources: APS Example Flow Chart and APS Fact Sheet. These resources are designed to provide information around the Adult Protective Services (APS) process of investigation. 

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Workplace Giving Campaigns: A Great Way to Help Support Consumer Voice

Workplace giving, whether the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), United Way or other workplace campaigns, are great easy ways to give to Consumer Voice.  Our CFC number is: 10552.  In other workplace campaigns, you may be able to write in Consumer Voice or some may still recognize us as NCCNHR.  As long as you provide our address, the funds will get to us.

Consumer Voice
1001 Connecticut Ave., Ste. 425
Washington, DC 20036

Look for ways that you can give back to Consumer Voice through your workplace and please ask if your employer will match your contribution.  Thank you!

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NORC is Hiring a Program and Outreach Associate

The National LTC Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) is seeking a Program and Outreach Associate to:

• Provide technical assistance to state and local long-term care ombudsmen on issues affecting long-term services and supports;
• Update and manage the NORC website and clearinghouse of information;
• Enhance communication and outreach to the long-term care ombudsman network;
• Assist with special projects related to supporting and enhancing the work of long-term care ombudsmen in advocating for individuals receiving long-term care services
  

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Consumer Voice Executive Director's Antibiotic Stewardship Article Featured on CDC Blog

Last week, Consumer Voice Executive Director Richard Gelula published an article for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s Safe Healthcare Blog.  The article entitled "Incorporating Antibiotic Stewardship into the Care of Residents in Nursing Homes" reviewed the importance of taking the time to learn what residents of long-term care settings want and need. He emphasizes both the need for sufficient numbers of trained staff and also an openness to learning and being an educator.  An important part of these ideas is antibiotic stewardship - preserving the effectiveness of antibiotics by using them only for their intended uses and only when necessary.  "The goal of antibiotic stewardship is to make sure the right drug is given at the right time for the right reason," he says.  Consumer Voice has joined with CDC's efforts to educate residents, families and advocates about infections and the use of antibiotics in long-term care.  Read the full article here.

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In the News...

• The Massachusetts Division of Health Care Licensure has cited more than four dozen nursing facilities for advertising that they offer dementia care when they do not have proper certification to provide it.  Find more information in the McKnight's article.

Spotlight on Giving: 40th Anniversary Special Gifts Campaign

For 40 years, Consumer Voice – known for most of those years as NCCNHR – has been dedicated to achieving person-centered, quality long-term care.  We have made significant progress in this time, but in an ever-changing world in which person-centered practices compete with other values such as “limited government” and provider profits, there are always new challenges.  One is occurring right now. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has proposed new regulations governing nursing homes that accept Medicare and Medicaid payments. This is the first new set of rules in 25 years. They actually espouse a great deal of movement toward person-centered practices, but in many areas the new rules will cause problems. One problem is the absence of a definitive staffing requirement for nursing care. This is a major oversight.

Here is where your support for Consumer Voice during our 40th anniversary comes in. We truly need your help. We have mounted an extensive, multi-organization effort to address problems in the new CMS regulations. Once we have submitted our comments and have helped other advocates to do the same, the next phases of our advocacy will ensue. This continues to be extremely important work and Consumer Voice is leading the way. Now, can you be counted to make a significant contribution to this effort? Each person decides what “significant” is.  There are many ways you can give: donate online or by check, sign-up for a monthly automatic payment from your account, make a gift of stock – even donate a used car or other property.  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:

Emergency Preparedness Issue Page  - September is Emergency Preparedness Month.  NORC has several resources that can be used throughout the month to better prepare for an emergency.  Resources include: Emergency Planning Checklists, Tip Sheets, Ombudsman Program Best Practice Models, Webinar Recordings, and Resources - such as The Role of Long-Term Care Ombudsman in Nursing Home Closures and Natural Disasters.

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In this Issue

Recall Reannounced for Adult Portable Bed Handles

Analysis Finds Nursing Homes Violate Federal Standards Year After Year

There's Still Time to Preorder Your Copy of 40 Words of Wisdom!

Resources Available on Flu + You

APS Fact Sheet and Flow Chart Available Now

Participate in the Combined Federal Campaign or Other Workplace Giving

NORC is Hiring a Program and Outreach Associate

Consumer Voice Executive Director's Antibiotic Stewardship Article Featured on CDC Blog

In the News...

Spotlight on Giving: 40th Anniversary Special Gifts Campaign

Spotlight on Educational Resources

Get Your CARE Matters Buttons and Wristbands in Time for Residents' Rights Month

October is quickly approaching. Order wristbands and buttons with the 2015 theme, CARE Matters, now to ensure you receive them by Residents' Rights Month!  Wristbands and buttons are sold in packs of 20, 50 and 100.  See the Consumer Voice online store for more information.

Still Time to Submit Comments to CMS on Proposed Nursing Home Regulations

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced  that the agency will be extending the comment period 30 days for the proposed nursing home regulations. Individuals and organizations will now have until October 14th to submit comments on the proposed rule.

As a reminder, we've prepared sample comments to use for commenting on the regulations. You can find these sample comments, along with instructions on how to submit your comments to CMS on our website.

With this additional time, we hope that many of you will be able to submit comments - we need as many of you as possible to weigh in!

Calendar of Events

September: Sepsis Awareness Month

September: Emergency Preparedness Month

Wednesday, September 23: Falls Prevention Awareness Day

Wednesday, September 30: National PrepareAthon Day

October: Residents' Rights Month, CARE Matters

Monday, October 5: Disrupt Infections: Creating a Community of Prevention, 9:00am-11:00am, Stockbridge, GA, Workshop from Advancing Excellence

Tuesday, October 20: Pain Management in Dementia: One Person at a Time, 2:00pm ET, Part 2 in a two-part webinar series from Pioneer Network and NYU, $99

November 1-7: National Memory Screening Week

November 4-7: Consumer Voice 39th Annual Conference, Arlington, Virginia

Thursday, November 5: Consumer Voice's 40th Anniversary Party, 6:30pm-9:30pm, Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel, Arlington, VA

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

Remember to register and book your hotel room soon!  Regular registration ends October 9th and the discounted hotel room block ends October 5th.  Find more information on our website.

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:

Tuesday, September 15:
This CDC infographic is startling.  It says that up to 75% of antibiotics used in nursing homes are prescribed inaccurately.

Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:

Tuesday, September 15:
These are important webinars from @PioneerNet: Pain Assessment and Paing Management in Dementia

Long-Term Care Resources & News

• Registration Open for 2015 Consumer Voice Conference PHI, September 16, 2015
  

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