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April 19, 2016
President Signs Older Americans Act Reauthorization
Great news! President Obama has signed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2016! Reauthorization of this bill is long overdue; authorization expired in 2011. The bill will help older adults age with independence and dignity in their homes and communities, and protect elders in long-term care facilities and other settings. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is authorized under the Older Americans Act and administered at the state level. It provides residents of long-term care facilities with access to effective advocacy in order to ensure that they receive the quality of care and quality of life they deserve and are entitled to by law. Thank you to all who advocated many times over the past five years to help achieve the passage of this important bill!
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Report Highlights Need for Higher Minimum Staffing Standards in Nursing Homes
A recent article entitled "The Need for Higher Minimum Staffing Standards in U.S. Nursing Homes" reviews how nursing homes have serious quality problems, in part, because of inadequate levels of nurse staffing. The report by Charlene Harrington, John F. Schnelle, Margaret McGregor and Sandra F. Simmons discusses the relationship between nursing home quality and staffing and the barriers to staffing reform. Multiple studies have demonstrated a need for higher minimum nurse staffing standards in nursing homes as it is shown to have a positive relationship with nursing home quality. Yet, many barriers prevent the implementation of higher staffing standards like concerns about cost and enforcement and strong nursing home industry political opposition. Read the full article here and visit the Consumer Voice website for more information about improving nursing home staffing.
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U.S. Representatives Call for End of Forced Arbitration Agreements
U.S. Representative Hank Johnson and a group of House members made a series of speeches on the House floor last week in a fight to end pre-dispute forced arbitration. The lawmakers described how corporations used the practice to deceive individuals into giving away their legal rights, and they emphasized ongoing reform efforts. Forced arbitration is "a manipulation of the justice system that tips our scales in the direction of influence, money, and power," said Rep. Joe Kennedy III. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee stated that "it can be nearly impossible to appeal" arbitrator's decisions. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services are considering a rule that would ban mandatory arbitration in nursing home contracts.
Consumer Voice continues to advocate against forced arbitration in long-term care facility admission agreements. For more information on the dangers these agreements pose to long-term care consumers, visit our website.
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New HCBS FAQs on Planned Construction and Person-Centered Planning Requirements
The new set of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) FAQs on Planned Construction and Person-Centered Planning Requirements have been posted on Medicaid.gov. The HCBS Settings Toolkit assists states in complying with new requirements in the recently published HCBS regulations. The new FAQs address specific questions about planned construction of presumed institutional settings and person-centered service planning provisions and modifications to HCBS settings criteria. Read the FAQs here.
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Using Improv to Improve Life with Alzheimer's
Improv artists Karen Stobbe and Mondy Carter recently gave a TED MED Talk about how they use the rules of improvisation to break through conventional caregiving techniques and open up new worlds for individuals with dementia. Karen and Mondy discovered this technique when they cared for Karen's mother who had Alzheimer's. Karen and Mondy found that many caregiving techniques for Alzheimer's followed the same rules of improv - step into their world, say "yes and" and validate the other person. Watch the TED MED Talk here. Karen and Mondy's technique was also featured on an episode of This American Life on NPR.
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NAPSA Hiring Executive Director
The National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) is seeking applicants for the position of Executive Director. NAPSA is a non-profit based in Washington, DC which provides Adult Protective Services programs with a forum for sharing information, solving problems, and improving the quality of services for victims of elder and vulnerable adult mistreatment. The responsibilities of the Executive Director include leading the organization, fundraising and maintaining the fiscal health of the organization, and managing NAPSA staff. For more information about the position, click here.
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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:
Nursing Home Residents' Rights- This fact sheet provides an overview of all residents' rights as laid out in the 1987 Nursing Home Reform Law.
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In this Issue
President Signs Older Americans Act Reauthorization
Report Highlights Need for Higher Minimum Staffing Standards in Nursing Homes
U.S. Representatives Call for End of Forced Arbitration Agreements
New HCBS FAQs on Planned Construction and Person-Centered Planning Requirements
Using Improv to Improve Life with Alzheimer's
NAPSA Hiring Executive Director
Spotlight on Educational Resources
Support our Spring Campaign to empower and engage residents!
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Residents' Rights Month 2016
Stay tuned for more information!
Calendar of Events
May: Older Americans Month
Friday, May 6: Session proposals due for the 2016 Consumer Voice Annual Conference
Wednesday, June 15: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
October: My Vote Matters, Residents' Rights Month 2016
November 2-5, 2016: Consumer Voice 40th Annual Conference, Arlington, VA
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Last Week's Most Popular Post:
Thursday, April 14:
PHI released a report entitled "Raise the Floor: Quality Nursing Home Care Depends on Quality Jobs"
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Thursday, April 14:
Are you ready for Older Americans Month in May?
Long-Term Care Resources & News
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