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August 2,2016

Early Bird Registration Rate Has Been Extended

We have extended our early bird special for the 2016 Consumer Voice Conference.  Register by August 6th and get $50 off member and non-member registration!

Save even more $$ by registering as a group! If you have at least 5 individuals, contact us (info@theconsumervoice.org) and we will help you register your group at an additional discount. Your application for discounts must be made prior to registration, so start forming your group today!

At the 2016 Conference, attendees will enjoy:

  • One-on-one dialogue with consumers of long-term services and supports;
  • The latest policy updates directly from key experts at the federal level;
  • Learning about best practices nationwide;
  • Attending skills trainings and acquire tools and resources;
  • Specific information and takeaways to help you put your systems or individual advocacy into action!

Find more information about the conference here.

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Letter Urges CMS to Strengthen Final Nursing Home Regulations

Consumer Voice, in partnership with a coalition of diverse organizations, recently advocated for and was successful in working with members of the House to send a letter to CMS calling for the agency to strengthen final regulations before they are released. Representatives Schakowsky, Conyers and Blumenauer took the lead, and thanks to their efforts and the efforts of those in our and other advocacy networks, a total of 32 House members signed on.  The letter calls for the final rule to require 24-hour-a-day registered nurse coverage, prohibit pre-dispute arbitration clauses that take away legal rights, meaningfully address the misuse of antipsychotic medications, and allow residents to appeal denials of readmissions to facilities.

On July 26, Consumer Voice issued a press release commending the Representatives for sending the letter and indicating support for their recommendations.

According to the Unified Regulatory Agenda, the final rules are scheduled to be published in September.  To read Consumer Voice’s comments on the proposed rule, click here.

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Thank You to Those Who Signed Onto the Letter Telling CMS to Ban Aribitration Clauses

On July 25, the New York Times published a powerful editorial calling on CMS to ban pre-dispute arbitration clauses in nursing home contracts in its final nursing home rules.  These are clauses that require residents to agree to arbitration and sign away their right to a jury trial in the event they suffer injury or abuse while in the facility. The editorial gives us another great opportunity to advocate for strong nursing home regulations. Thank you to all those who signed on to our letter to CMS calling for the agency to ban pre-dispute arbitration clauses in nursing home agreements once and for all.

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Don't Miss Next Week's Webinar on Preventing Avoidable Hospitalizations

Register today for our webinar on preventing avoidable hospitalizations -

Preventing avoidable hospitalizations starts with early recognition of a slowly developing medical condition, and then escalation of care whereby nursing home staff practice at the top of their license. Through this webinar you will learn about the early indicators of preventable conditions and effective interventions, and the management systems and practices needed to implement them.

Join us Tuesday, August 9, 2:00pm – 3:00pm ET; Cost: $65 (Discounts available for members and for those who register for full webinar series.)

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Both Political Party Platforms Include Language About Seniors

Both political party platforms include language on aging adults and elder abuse.  The Democratic Party Platform says: "We strongly support the Older Americans Act, which funds critical programs to help seniors remain independent in their own homes and communities.  We are also committed to fighting the immense problem of elder abuse."  The Republican Party Platform included the following language: "Our aging population must have access to safe and affordable care.  Because most seniors desire to age at home, we will make homecare a priority in public policy and will implement programs to protect against elder abuse."

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Project Visibility Training for Person-Centered Care for LGBT Older Adults

"Project Visibility: Person-Centered Care for LGBT Older Adults" is a web-based training from Boulder County Area Agency on Aging which features free 30 minute interactive courses designed for managers and staff of nursing and assisted living homes and home health care agencies.  Project Visibility seeks to create an aging services community that is informed, senstive to and supportive of LGBT elders.

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August is National Immunization Awareness Month; Watch a Film on the Importance of Vaccinations for Older Adults

In recognition of National Immunization Awareness Month in August, Alliance for Aging Research has released a short film entitled "Our Best Shot: The Importance of Vaccines for Older Adults."  The film encourages seniors to get their recommended vaccinations and to encourage their families to do so too.  It provides an overview of how vaccines work, highlights the importance of vaccination, debunks common myths and misconceptions, addresses the need for vaccination later in life, encourages communication with healthcare professionals, and reminds older adults of their influential role in increasing the immunity of their families and social circles.  Watch the film here and get more resources on vaccines on Alliance for Aging Research's website.

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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:

LGBT Elders - This NORC Issue page provides resources, training, and fact sheets.

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In this Issue

Early Bird Registration Rate Has Been Extended

Letter Urges CMS to Strengthen Final Nursing Home Regulations

Thank You to Those Who Signed onto the Letter Telling CMS to Ban Arbitration Clauses

Don't Miss Next Week's Webinar on Avoiding Preventable Hospitalizations

Both Political Party Platforms Include Language About Seniors

Project Visibility Training for Person-Centered Care of LGBT Older Adults

August is National Immunization Awareness Month; Watch a Film on the Importance of Vaccinations for Older Adults


Spotlight on Educational Resources


Combined Federal Campaign

#10552

Thank you for your support!


Join the Resident's Voice Challenge by September 15th!

As we approach the presidential election in November, Americans are talking about the candidates and issues.  Are residents engaged? 

Get them started discussing politics and voting by participating in the Resident's Voice Challenge!  Residents are encouraged to imagine they are running for "Resident President" and to discuss what types of changes they would make or issues that are important to them.   Submissions are due September 15th so start planning your activity now!

We've made it easy to participate with the My Vote Matters Toolkit which includes instructions and everything you need to get your residents engaged in the discussion! You can also check out some of the other voting/election-related products in our online store.


Calendar of Events

August: National Immunization Awareness Month

Tuesday, August 9: Preventing Avoidable Hospitalizations: A Primer for Consumer Advocates, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from Consumer Voice

Tuesday, September 13: Obtaining Quality Care for Residents with Dementia, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from Consumer Voice

October: My Vote Matters, Residents' Rights Month 2016

Tuesday, October 11: Piecing Together Quality Long-Term Care, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from Consumer Voice

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, July 28:
On July 25, the New York Times published a powerful editorial calling on CMS to ban pre-dispute arbitration clauses in nursing home contracts in its final nursing home rules.

Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:

 
Friday, July 29
:
Only a few hours left - sign onto letter telling CMS to ban pre-dispute arbitration clauses in nursing home contracts


Long-Term Care Resources & News



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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 © 2016.

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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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