September 8, 2020

In this Issue:

1. Visitation Recommendations Sent to CMS
   
2. New Products Available in the Consumer Voice Store
   
3. Understanding Trauma and Ensuring Person-Centered Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic Training Series
   
4. Resident's Voice Challenge Deadline Extended to September 11

Visitation Recommendations Sent to CMS
Consumer Voice worked collaboratively with advocates and State Long-Term Care Ombudsmen throughout the country on visitation recommendations which were sent to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The "Recommendations to Allow Nursing Home Residents to Have Increased In-Person Contact with Family and Friends During the COVID-19 Pandemic" recommends that CMS adopt requirements allowing outdoor and indoor visitation for residents in a way that continues to keep residents safe.  Visitors would be screened and follow all protocols and the number of visitors can be limited based on safety and social distancing. The recommendations also note that residents should be permitted to engage with other residents – individually or through small group activities or dining and recommends that residents who do not have visitors still have the same opportunities to leave their rooms and go outside as residents with visitors. 

In August, "Initial Recommendations to Address Resident Isolation and Decline by Allowing Residents to Have Increased In-Person Contact with Family Members and Friends" were also sent to CMS which recommends that residents be provided with an essential support person if they’ve experienced a significant change or decline.  It also suggests stronger standards for end of life visits.

New Products Available in the Consumer Voice Store
New Products Available in the Consumer Voice Store New products are available in the Consumer Voice online store which include face masks, Ombudsman safety bags, Ombudsman hand sanitizer, Ombudsman sanitizing wipes, and Connection Matters buttons. 

Face masks - Face masks are a double layered fabric that serves as a barrier. Each mask is 2-ply cotton and is washable and reusable. The masks are a one-size fits most design and are available in packs of 10, 5, and 3. 

Pre-Order: Ombudsman Safety Bags - The Ombudsman Safety Bags include an Ombudsman imprinted face mask, hand sanitizer, sanitizer wipes, and resources specifically for Ombudsman programs. The resources include tips for Ombudsman program communication, a tip sheet about self-care, NORS FAQs related to COVID-19, 25 Ombudsman program promotion postcards, and COVID-19 Recovery and Reentry Resources. 

Ombudsman Hand Sanitizer - Stay safe and spread the word about the long-term care Ombudsman program with Ombudsman hand sanitizer. This pack includes three hand sanitizers on key chains. 

Ombudsman Sanitizing Wipes - Stay and safe and spread the word about the long-term care Ombudsman program with Ombudsman sanitizing wipes. This includes three packs of wipes. 

“Connection Matters” Buttons - Promote residents' rights and stand for quality with "Connection Matters" buttons. Buttons are available in packs of 20, 50, and 100 square buttons which are 2.5" x 2.5" each. Perfect to give to volunteers, residents, or other advocates! 

Understanding Trauma and Ensuring Person-Centered Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic Training Series
During the month of September, the National Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) will release four training topics for three audiences as part of the training series, Understanding Trauma and Ensuring Person-Centered Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic. For this series, Dr. Sheri Gibson (see bio) provides training on the following topics: person-centered care, trauma-informed care, compassion fatigue, and anxiety and grief in a time of COVID-19. Each topic will include one webinar recording and slides for facility administrators, direct care staff, and family members of individuals living in long-term care facilities. 

This week’s topic is trauma-informed care. The psychological effects of long-term isolation on both residents and families are largely unknown at this time as our nation remains in the grips of a global pandemic. However, when armed with education and resources, communities and people are empowered toward collective resilience. This training will emphasize the importance of understanding the prevalence of trauma and the effects that trauma can have on an individual’s mental health, physical, social, and spiritual well-being so as to provide care that is sensitive to individual values while resisting the re-traumatization of vulnerable persons. Access the training »

Resident's Voice Challenge Deadline Extended to September 11

Thank you to all those who have already submitted entries.  All entries will be posted on our website.

What is the Resident's Voice Challenge?
The Resident’s Voice Challenge is an opportunity for long-term care consumers to respond to and reflect on this year’s Residents' Rights Month theme, Connection Matters. Use the discussion questions on our website to help reflect on the theme.

How can I participate in the Postcard Artwork Contest?
This year, as a part of the Resident's Voice Challenge, we'll be selecting some original resident artwork to be featured on a series of postcards.

Who can enter?
Residents of long-term care facilities, including nursing homes, assisted living, and independent living, and individuals receiving long-term services in their home or community are invited to participate.

What types of submissions do you accept?
Entries into the postcard artwork contest can include original paintings, sketches, drawings, or original photography. Artwork must be original (no copied or reproduced pieces) and created by a long-term care consumer or group of consumers.

Other types of entries - like essays, poems, word collages, videos, and songs - can be entered into the Resident's Voice Challenge. Learn more.

When are submissions due?
The submission deadline has been extended.  All submissions to the Resident's Voice Challenge and Postcard Artwork Contest are due September 11, 2020.

How do I submit?
Review the full submission guidelines.

• Email: Take a high-resolution photo of your artwork and send it as a JPG or PNG attachment to your email to info@theconsumervoice.org. Is your file too large to email? Send us a note at info@theconsumervoice.org and we can arrange the transfer of large files.

OR

• Mail: Send the original version of your artwork to our office (use large, sturdy envelopes or mailing tubes if needed).  Address as:

Consumer Voice
Attn: Resident’s Voice Challenge
1001 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 632
Washington, DC 20036

If any resident/consumer or other person appear in a submitted photo or video, the person(s) must complete a release form.

Learn More »