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September 5, 2017

New Fact Sheet and Webinar on Surveillance Cameras in Nursing Home Residents' Rooms

The use of surveillance cameras in nursing home residents’ rooms is a popular option for preventing abuse among some consumers and policymakers, but it comes with a range of potential positive and negative implications. Consumer Voice, with our partners at the National Center on Elder Abuse, has developed a NEW fact sheet, Balancing Privacy & Protection: Surveillance Cameras in Nursing Home Residents’ Rooms. This fact sheet presents an overview of the balance between safety and security with privacy of residents and their roommates, current state laws and guidelines on surveillance cameras in residents’ rooms, and important questions to consider before installing a surveillance camera.

Join our webinar Tuesday, September 12th at 3:00pm ET to learn more about this topic!  We will cover residents' rights and interests involving surveillance cameras and considerations to evaluate before installing a surveillance camera.  In addition, we will hear from a variety of speakers on their experiences in utilizing surveillance cameras.

Register today!

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ACL Releases First Ever Report on Adult Maltreatment

The Administration for Community Living has released the first report on the abuse of older adults and adults with disabilities.  The new report is the first in a series based on data from the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS), a voluntary data reporting system which collects data from state and local Adult Protective Services systems.  In NAMRS's first year, fifty-four of 56 states and territories contributed data.  View the report here.

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New Videos from CMS Show How to Support Long-Term Care in Tribal Communities

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released a new video series describing ways tribes can provide long-term care to elders and people with disabilities. The five short videos illustrate culturally appropriate and tribally driven ways to improve the lives of elders, people with disabilities and their families.  View the videos here.

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DisasterAssistance.gov Provides Resources for Those Affected by Disaster

Visit www.DisasterAssistance.gov to find assistance if your area has been affected by a disaster.  Individuals can search for hotels that are part of the federal Transitional Sheltering Assistance program and volunteer to support victims.  Community leaders can search for specific resources related to disaster recovery. Individuals can also apply for assistance online and find local help.

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Iowa Accepting Applications for State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Position

The Iowa Department on Aging is accepting applications for the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman position. The State LTC Ombudsman provides overall administration and management of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.  Find the job posting on NORC's website and on governmentjobs.com.

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ACL Develops Principles for Person-Directed Services and Supports

The Administration for Community Living (ACL) has developed Principles for Person-directed Services and Supports during Serious Illness.  ACL will use these principles to inform policy discussions and enhance existing programs related to serious illness among older adults and individuals with disabilities.  The principles focus on every person's right to make choices and control their own decisions regardless of age, disability, or stage of illness.

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CMS Sends Letter to California Regarding Enforcement of Appeal Decisions of Involuntary Transfers and Discharges

CMS has sent a letter to the California Department of Health Care Services reminding the state that they must "establish a system for adjudicating residents' appeals of involuntary transfers and discharges from nursing facilities in compliance with federal standards."  The letter came in response to a letter AARP sent to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office of Civil Rights regarding the failure of the California Health and Human Services Agency to enforce administrative decisions under the Nursing Home Reform Act. The letter to California reiterates that if during an appeal of involuntary transfers and discharges from nursing facilities, the hearing officer rules in favor of the resident, the agency must enforce that decision promptly and effectively.  The letter reiterates the same guidance sent to the California Department of Public Health's Center for Health Care Quality in 2012.  Read the letter here.

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Resources from MLN Matters on Hurricane Harvey and Medicare Disaster Related Claims

MLN Matters has provided information regarding Hurricane Harvey and Medicare disaster related claims in Texas.  Information provided includes waiver information for Medicare-dependent small, rural hospitals and for low volume hospitals.  Also included is information regarding administrative relief related to timely filing of appeals.  See the information here.

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Care Documentary Makes National Broadcast Debut Tonight

Tune into the PBS World Channel tonight to see Care.  The documentary will make its national broadcast debut at 8pm ET and 9pm PT on PBS World.  Check your local listings for more information.  Care, by Deirdre Fishel and Tony Heriza, shines a light on the relationships at the heart of the most supportive and sustainable long-term care option that we have: paid in-home caregiving. 90% of Americans wish to age at home, but many cannot depend exclusively on their family and friends for their needs and so they rely on the critical, compassionate and skilled services of paid care workers. The film urges viewers to consider the many barriers that keep people from doing this admirable work and others from receiving the care they need and deserve.

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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:

Emergency Preparedness - In light of recent natural disasters across the country, review the many relevant emergency preparedness resources from NORC.

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In this Issue

New Fact Sheet and Webinar on Surveillance Cameras in Nursing Home Residents' Rooms

ACL Releases First Ever Report on Adult Maltreatment

New Videos from CMS Show How to Support Long-Term Care in Tribal Communities

DisasterAssistance.gov Provides Resources to Those Affected by Disaster

Iowa Accepting Applications for State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Position

ACL Develops Principles for Person-Directed Services and Supports

CMS Sends Letter to California Regarding Enforcement of Appeals Decisions of Involuntary Transfer and Discharge

Resources from MLN Matters on Hurricane Harvey and Medicare Disaster Related Claims

Care Documentary Makes National Broadcast Debut Tonight


Spotlight on Resources


New Details About Consumer Voice Conference Sessions

New information is available about sessions during the 2017 Consumer Voice Conference.  Plus, new details are available about the closing plenary on Capitol Hill.  Visit our website for more information.

Register for the conference now!

Already registered? Be sure you have reserved your hotel room.  Our room block is filling fast!


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Calendar of Events

Tuesday, September 12: Balancing Privacy & Protection: Surveillance Cameras in Nursing Home Residents' Rooms, 3:00pm ET, Consumer Voice Webinar

October: Residents' Rights Month

November 5-8, 2017: Consumer Voice 41st Annual Conference, Arlington, VA


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OIG investigation found more than one-quarter of serious cases of nursing home abuse not reported to law enforcement


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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 © 2017.

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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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