April 18, 2017
Consumer Voice Joint Statement on Abuse and Neglect of Nursing Home Residents
Consumer Voice, with the Long Term Care Community Coalition, Center for Medicare Advocacy, and California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, issued a joint statement in response to the recent reports exposing abuse and neglect in nursing homes across the country. The statement urges that more - not less - accountability is needed to ensure the safety and dignity of vulnerable nursing home residents. A substantial body of evidence shows the need for stronger accountability for nursing home resident safety. Read the statement here.
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Medicare Rights Center Webinar on Part D Appeals
Medicare Rights Center is holding a webinar on Wednesday, April 26th at 3:00pm ET entitled "Getting the Coverage You’re Entitled To: Part D Appeals and the Late Enrollment Penalty." The webinar will provide an overview of Part D costs and coverage, Part D enrollment and the late enrollment penalty, and understanding coverage denials and Part D appeals. The webinar is $40 per person for the live webinar and $30 for the recording only. Register here.
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Penny Shaw Writes About Trauma-Informed Care
Nursing home resident and advocate Penny Shaw published a blog in Primary Care Progress on trauma-informed primary care. Penny speaks about the stress of a dramatic life change like transitioning into a nursing home. She calls for primary care physicians to use a trauma-informed approach for diagnosis and treatment by looking for signs of trauma and asking residents about their mood and experience with the transition. She also highlights the need to avoid unnecessary drugs to treat trauma and the importance of connecting physical, cognitive, mental and behavioral health. Read the blog here.
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Updated Fact Sheet on Rights of Resident Councils
Consumer Voice has updated our fact sheet "The Rights of Resident Councils in Nursing Homes." The Nursing Home Reform Law was the landmark legislation for federal standards for nursing home care. The Act guarantees nursing home residents a number of important rights, including the right to form and hold regular private meetings of an organized group called a resident council. This updated fact sheet provides specifics on the rights the federal law guarantees. Access the fact sheet here.
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Webinar on Older Adults and Immigration
Justice in Aging and the National Immigration Law Center are holding a webinar on Friday, April 21st at 2:00pm ET entitled "Older Adults and Immigration: What Advocates Need to Know." The webinar will cover basic topics such as different types of immigrants, rights and protections for immigrant seniors, immigrant senior eligibility for SSI, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid and resources for individual assistance. Register here.
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Part II of Webinar Series on LTCOP Rule
Register today for the April 25th NORC webinar on individual conflicts of interest (COI). This 75 minute webinar is designed to assist Ombudsman program representatives in understanding the COI provisions in the LTCOP Rule and how to apply them in your work.
Speakers include Louise Ryan, Ombudsman Program Specialist, Administration on Aging/Administration for Community Living; Patty Ducayet, Texas State Long-Term Care Ombudsman; Sara Hunt, NORC Consultant; and a local Ombudsman representative. Register here.
NOTE: If you registered for the March 29th webinar on the complaint processing, you do not need to register again. To view that webinar or download the handouts, click here.
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Trump Administration Proposal Would Remove LGBT Older Adults from Survey
The Trump Administration has proposed removing LGBT older adults from the National Survey of Older Americans Act Participants. The survey provides information on whether federally-funded aging programs like meals on wheels, family caregiver support, adult daycare, and senior centers reach all older adults, including LGBT older adults. The Trump Administration has proposed stopping the gathering of information about LGBT elders, but LGBT elders' needs won't be met if they're not represented. Comments on the proposal are being acceped through May 12th. Take action and learn more on SAGE's website.
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National Volunteer Week -
April 23-29
What is your program doing to recognize the volunteers who give of their time to visit long-term care facility residents? The week of April 23rd to 29th, National Volunteer Week, is a perfect time to reach out and say thanks for making a difference in the lives of the residents you visit.
In 2015, 7,734 certified volunteer Ombudsman program representatives contributed 708,323 hours of service to Ombudsman programs across the country (according to the NORS data). The Independent Sector determined the estimated value of a volunteer hour in 2015 was $23.56. For the Ombudsman program, that is over $16 million of assets due to volunteer service! Due to the dedicated service of these volunteers, resident access to the Ombudsman program is enhanced significantly and thousands of residents receive information about their rights and have assistance and support in resolving their concerns.
Consumer Voice and the National Ombudsman Resource Center want to thank the men and women who volunteer their time to advocate with and for individuals receiving long-term care services and supports!
For more on volunteer recognition, check out these resources:
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Spotlight on 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:
Consumer to Consumer: Tips for a Successful Nursing Home Transition - This tip sheet from Consumer Voice provides suggestions, directly from consumers, to have a successful move from the nursing home back into your community.
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In this Issue
Consumer Voice Joint Statement on Abuse and Neglect of Nursing Home Residents
Medicare Rights Center Webinar on Part D Appeals
Penny Shaw Writes About Trauma-Informed Care
Updated Fact Sheet on Rights of Resident Councils
Webinar on Older Adults and Immigration
Part II of Webinar Series on LTCOP Rule
Trump Administration Proposal Would Remove LGBT Older Adults from Survey
National Volunteer Week - April 23-29
Spotlight on Resources
Combined Federal Campaign
#10552
Thank you for your support!
Save the Date:
Consumer Voice 41st Annual Conference
November 5-8, 2017
Renaissance Arlington Capital View Hotel
Arlington, Virginia
Calendar of Events
Friday, April 21: Older Adults who are Immigrants: Access to Healthcare and Other Public Benefits, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from Justice in Aging and the National Immigration Law Center
April 23-29: National Volunteer Week
Tuesday, April 25: LTCOP Rule: Identifying and Addressing Individual Conflicts of Interest, 3:00pm ET, Part II of webinar series from NORC (Note: You only need to register once in order to attend both webinars.)
Wednesday, April 26: Getting the Coverage You're Entitled To: Part D Appeals & the Late Enrollment Penalty, 3:00pm ET, Webinar from Medicare Rights Center
Thursday, April 27: A Deeper Dive into the Revised Federal Nursing Home Regulations - Part III, 2:00pm ET, Webinar from Consumer Voice, Justice in Aging and Center for Medicare Advocacy
November 5-8, 2017: Consumer Voice 41st Annual Conference, Arlington, VA
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Last Week's Most Popular Post:
Wednesday, April 12:
The AARP Bulletin has published an article on the overuse of pyschotropic drugs in nursing facilities
Last Week's Most Popular Tweet:
Wednesday, April 12:
AARP Bulletin on overuse of psychotropic drugs in nursing facilities
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