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
ng-for-quality-long-term-care-1

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

Viki will be presenting at the American Health Care Association Conference on 10/12/10

Viki will be giving a presentation at the American Health Care Association Conference on October 12, 2010 from 8-10am PST.

As the nation’s largest association of long term and post-acute care providers, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) advocates for quality care and services for frail, elderly and disabled Americans. Compassionate and caring employees provide essential care to one million individuals in our 11,000 not-for-profit and proprietary member facilities.

The ultimate focus is on providing quality care to the nation’s frail, elderly and disabled, who are served by the long term care professionals who comprise AHCA’s membership. These providers believe that the individuals whom they serve are entitled to a supportive environment in which professional and compassionate care is delivered. This belief compels AHCA, its affiliates and member providers to advocate for individuals who – because of social needs, disability, trauma or illness – require services provided in a long term care setting, while also advocating for the continuing vitality of long term care provider community.

AHCA believes this necessitates their commitment to developing necessary and reasonable public policies which balance economic and regulatory principles to support quality care and quality of life, and is dedicated to professionalism and ethical behavior among all who provide long term care.

Have a kind and respectful day.

The Gardens at Park Balboa will be hosting a presentation on 9/8/10 from 7-8:30pm PST

Viki will be giving a presentation at the Gardens at Park Balboa on 9/8/10 from 7-8:30pm PST

The Gardens at Park Balboa, an Assisted Living residence in Van Nuys, California is a recently remodeled building located in the heart of the San Fernando Valley. They believe in encouraging the growth of their residents as individuals, while offering personalized assistance and support when needed or desired. Residents experience the benefits of belonging to an engaging community with amenities, activities and companionship, yet all the while knowing that assisted services are available around the clock, every day of the year.

Residents and their families have the added security of knowing that Safe Haven, their secure unit for Alzheimer’s and dementia care is just steps away on the same property. In addition, residents have convenient geographical access to distinguished physicians and services at Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Sherman Oaks Hospital, and other acute care hospitals located in the SFV.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Autumn View Gardens in St. Louis will be hosting a lecture on Caregiving on 7/22/10 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Autumn View Gardens in St. Louis will be hosting a lecture on Caregiving on 7/22/10 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.

Autumn View Gardens is a beautiful assisted-living community located on Schuetz Road in Creve Coeur, a suburb of St. Louis, MO. They have a total of 90 private apartments, including companion suites, with a choice among six apartment styles. All apartments feature private bedrooms, kitchenettes, individual thermostats, large closets, and balconies or patios. Apartments range from 300 to 600 square feet.

Have a kind and respectful day.

Long Term Care Ombudsman of St. Louis will be hosting a presentation on empowering Caregivers to Make Better Decisions on July 22, 2010

Long Term Care Ombudsman of St. Louis will be hosting a presentation on empowering Caregivers to Make Better Decisions on July 22, 2010 from 10am to 12pm.

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program of Saint Louis (LTCOP), a United Way agency, is part of a nationwide program which began in 1971 in response to public outcry over abuse and neglect in long-term nursing home facilities. Since its inception there are now over 500 Ombudsman Programs across the United States. LTCOP is the area’s most comprehensive resource that serves residents of licensed long-term care nursing homes and their families.

The St. Louis Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is comprised of professional and specially trained staff and volunteer ombudsman who are assigned to long term care nursing home facilities weekly, getting to know residents and providing advocacy, support, and education about their rights. When requested, ombudsmen act as a voice for resident treatment and care. Ombudsmen can help mediate resolution of grievances and disputes, make referrals and monitor the referrals to see that the problems are resolved. Ombudsman listen to nursing home residents concerns and complaints and work to educate residents about their rights while working with families and facility staff in resolving care and treatment plan issues.

Their mission is “To preserve the quality of life for long-term care residents by empowering residents and their families through education, advocacy and support.”

Have a kind and respectful day.

Swine Flu Season – What to know when visiting a hospital or long term care facility

The restrictions on who can visit during swine flu season will include rules about what age visitors are allowed and how many people can visit patients this fall. Some hospitals are not allowing anyone under the age of 16 to visit a loved one unless the person is imminently dying. Or the hospital is limiting the total number of visitors to two. Before you go to visit someone in the hospital or in a long term care facility, call ahead to see what the rules are.

If you do visit, make sure that you wash your hands before you come into the building, before you touch the patient and as you leave so you don’t take any germs out with you. Many hospitals have the antibacterial gel at the entrance and in each person’s room. Use it often to protect yourself and your loved one. You may also want to bring a bottle of the antibacterial gel to leave at the bedside of your loved one. That way they can protect themselves.

The hospital doesn’t want you to get sick and they don’t want you to bring in any germs. Patients are very vulnerable to any infection and even if you didn’t mean to, you might be bringing a deadly infection to someone in the hospital. An infection that only makes you a little sick may be life-threatening to someone else. If you are sick, stay home.

I know that it would be difficult for me to stay home when my loved one was in the hospital. But I also know that I would be risking someone’s life by taking the chance of coming to the hospital when I am sick. I could not bear the thought that I brought something into the hospital that killed someone. So, I will do the right thing and stay home if I am in that situation. I hope you will too.

Have a kind and respectful day. KindEthics.com