Advocating for and making Quality Long Term Care Decisions – TheConsumerVoice.org

Join me on Sept. 27th, 9AM PST, 12PM EST as I interview Robyn Grant, the director of Advocacy and Outreach at the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (the “Consumer Voice”). http://www.blogtalkradio.com/kindethics/2011/09/27/robyn-grant–advocati
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The Consumer Voice is a national organization that advocates on behalf of long-term care consumers in all settings – from their home to a nursing home. To carry out our mission, we:

* Advocate for public policies that support quality care and quality of life responsive to consumers’ needs in all long-term care settings
* Empower and educate consumers and families with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for themselves
* Train and support individuals and groups that empower and advocate for consumers of long-term care
* Promote the critical role of direct-care workers and best practices in quality-care delivery

The 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.

In her capacity as Director of Advocacy & Outreach, Robyn is responsible for growing the Consumer Voice’s grassroots network and developing and implementing grassroots advocacy strategies that advance the Consumer Voice’s public policy agenda. She has a master’s in social work with a specialization in aging and has advocated for quality long-term care for over 20 years. Prior to joining the Consumer Voice, she served as the Indiana State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and as Long
Term Care Policy Director at United Senior Action, an Indiana senior advocacy organization.

Robyn will talk about three critical decisions that impact the quality of long-term care an individual receives. These include deciding 1) what provider to choose, 2) whether you are or a loved one is getting good care, and 3) whether and how to speak up if good care is not being provided. The discussion will include tips from the Consumer Voice’s new resource, Piecing Together Quality Long-Term Care: A Consumer’s Guide to Choices and Advocacy. The guide is intended to educate people with disabilities and older adults about their options for long-term services and supports and empower them to be self-advocates for quality long-term care. It features suggestions from consumers receiving services in nursing homes, assisted living/group homes and in their homes. The guide also provides information and resources to assist people currently living in nursing homes to move back into the community.

www.TheConsumerVoice.org