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February 17, 2016
Lori Smetanka Named Executive Director of Consumer Voice
The Governing Board of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care has unanimously selected Lori Smetanka, JD, as Executive Director, effective immediately. Lori has been serving as Interim Executive Director since October 2015.
“Lori’s leadership skills and respect in the advocacy community, along with her history with Consumer Voice, make her the right person to lead the organization into the future,” said Michael Koenig, Consumer Voice Governing Board President. “We believe she has the organizational management skills and long-term care program and policy expertise that will enhance the important work of Consumer Voice. Lori is a dedicated advocate who is committed to addressing the complex long-term care issues faced by consumers.”
Smetanka has been the Director of the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center, housed at Consumer Voice, since 2004. Prior to that, she served as Consumer Voice’s Law and Policy Specialist since 1994.
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Amity Overall Laib to Lead National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
Amity Overall Laib has been chosen as Director of the National LTC Ombudsman Resource Center, housed at the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. “Amity is an excellent choice to lead the Ombudsman Resource Center,” said Consumer Voice Executive Director Lori Smetanka, adding, “Her knowledge of the ombudsman program, her program management and training skills, and her commitment to improving the lives of those receiving long-term services and supports are just right for this important position.”
Overall Laib has been the Manager for Program and Policy with the Ombudsman Resource Center since 2010. Her previous experience included that of Staff Ombudsman and Managing Local Ombudsman for the Houston-Galveston Area Council/Area Agency on Aging, Houston, TX. She is also a past Board member of the National Association of Local Long-Term Care Ombudsmen.
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Announcing Residents' Rights Month 2016
The Consumer Voice is pleased to announce the theme of Residents' Rights Month 2016: "My Vote Matters." Residents' Rights Month is an annual event designated by the Consumer Voice and is celebrated in October to honor residents living in all long-term care facilities and consumers receiving care at home and in their community. It is a time for celebration and recognition offering an opportunity for every facility to focus on and celebrate awareness of dignity, respect and the value of each individual resident.
This year's theme focuses on residents' right to vote and be engaged in the political process. Consumer engagement, including the right to vote, is a cornerstone in our society. Consumers receiving long-term services and supports retain their voting rights no matter where they live or what type of care they receive. This year's Residents' Rights Month seeks to support a consumer's right to vote and participate in the political process.
Stay tuned for more information about Residents' Rights Month planning, products and this year's Resident's Voice Challenge!
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Webinar on Collaboration Between Mental Health and Aging Services
The National Council on Aging's Center for Healthy Aging (which is funded by the Administration on Community Living) is holding a webinar on Wednesday, February 24th at 2:00pm ET entitled "Achieving Collaboration Between Mental Health and Aging Services Through Coalition Building." The webinar will provide information on mental health and aging coalitions across the country that are fostering partnerships between the mental health and aging services networks. The webinar will highlight the work of the National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging and coalitions in Georgia and Illinois. Register here.
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PA Residents Help Shape Educational Material
Residents of Inglis House in Philadelphia recently reviewed and provided feedback to the Consumer Voice on an educational flyer related to infection prevention. With excellent facilitation from long-term care ombudsman, Lori Walsh, eight PEER residents discussed the flyer with Consumer Voice staff in a lively and productive meeting (see photo). PEER stands for Pennsylvania’s Empowered Expert Residents. PEERs are taught advocacy skills, resident rights, and how to work with facility staff to enhance the quality of life and care for all residents.
The purpose of obtaining resident input is to make the flyer more consumer-friendly and easier to understand. Consumer Voice will also be collecting feedback from family members.
If you are a resident/home care consumer or a family member who is interested in being part of an advisory group to provide feedback and input on informational/educational material and policy matters, or if you know of such individuals, contact Robyn Grant at rgrant@theconsumervoice.org.
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North Carolina Looking for New State Ombudsman
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Division of Aging and Adult Services is hiring for the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman position. The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman is responsible for the administration and supervision of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program.
For more information and to apply, click here.
For more job postings from long-term care ombudsman programs, including a recent opening for a Volunteer Recruitment Specialist in Oregon, visit the National Ombudsman Resource Center's website.
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NCEA Twitter Chat Tomorrow on LGBT Elders
Join the National Center on Elder Abuse tomorrow at 2:00pm ET for a Twitter chat on the topic of protecting LGBT elders from exploitation. The chat will feature special guest Sherrill Wayland, Manager of National Projects at SAGE (Services and Advocacy for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Elders). Join the chat by going to www.tweetchat.com at the time of the chat and searching #NCEAnow. Log in with your Twitter account to view incoming tweets and add to the discussion.
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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:
Residents' Rights - Residents’ Rights are guaranteed by the federal 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law. The law requires nursing homes to “promote and protect the rights of each resident” and places a strong emphasis on individual dignity and self-determination. Nursing homes must meet federal residents' rights requirements if they participate in Medicare or Medicaid. Some states have residents' rights in state law or regulation for nursing homes, licensed assisted living, adult care homes, and other board and care facilities.
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In this Issue
Lori Smetanka Named Executive Director of Consumer Voice
Amity Overall Laib to Lead National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center
Announcing Residents' Rights Month 2016
Webinar on Collaboration Between Mental Health and Aging Services
PA Residents Help Shape Educational Material
North Carolina Looking for New State Ombudsman
NCEA Twitter Chat Tomorrow on LGBT Elders
Spotlight on Educational Resources
Combined Federal Campaign
#10552
Thank you for your support!
Calendar of Events
Wednesday, February 24: Achieving Collaboration Between Mental Health and Aging Services Through Coalition Building, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from National Council on Aging's Center on Healthy Aging
Saturday, April 16: National Healthcare Decisions Day
October: My Vote Matters, Residents' Rights Month 2016
November 2-5, 2016: Consumer Voice 40th Annual Conference, Arlington, VA
Join the conversation and follow us on social media!
Last Week's Most Popular Post:
Thursday, February 11:
The Medicare Rights Center has announced the new Medicare Interactive website at www.medicareinteractive.org
Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:
Wednesday, February 10:
Congrats to @CANHR_CA for winning the 2015 Gilbert Innovations in Alzheimer's Award for your important work!
Long-Term Care Resources & News
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