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July 11, 2023
In this Issue:
- Virtual Rally This Thursday for a Strong Staffing Standard
- Consumer Product Safety Commission Issues Mandatory Rules for Adult Portable Bed Rails
- Webinar on Connecting Consumers to Technology
- Webinar on Using the New CMS Nursing Home Affiliation Data
- Support the Documentary Film, No Country for Old People
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Virtual Rally This Thursday for a Strong Staffing Standard
Join us with AFL-CIO and SEIU this Thursday, July 13 at 2:00pm ET for a virtual rally to let the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) know that a strong federal staffing standard is the only way to end the long-term care crisis in our country. Together, we'll shed light on the nursing home staffing crisis through stories of workers, residents and families, allies and elected officials, and learn ways to speak directly to CMS and express our united support of a federal staffing standard.
CMS is gearing up to release a proposed rule that would establish the first ever federal staffing standard for nursing homes. This standard will lay the foundation for improving care and care jobs, and holding nursing home corporations accountable for actions — or inactions — that prioritize profits over people.
RSVP Now
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Consumer Product Safety Commission Issues Mandatory Rules for Adult Portable Bed Rails
The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued mandatory rules for Adult Portable Bed Rails (APBRs). The rule establishes a mandatory performance requirement and test procedure to reduce the risk of entrapment and other hazards associated with the use of adult portable bed rails and requires all APBRs sold in the United States and manufactured after the effective date to comply with the standard’s performance and testing requirements.
Consumer Voice submitted comments regarding this rule in January 2023. In our letter, we noted that widespread and comprehensive education is need so that consumers can make better, more informed decisions about purchasing these devices. Additionally, we point out that APBRs are frequently used because caregivers do not know what else to do. Individualized care - knowing a person’s needs, routines, and preferences - allows caregivers to anticipate when the person has to, or wants to, get out of bed. This permits the caregiver to assist the individual to do so safely. We recommend that an educational campaign include the development and dissemination of a resource on individualized care to reduce or avoid the use of APBRs.
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Webinar on Connecting Consumers to Technology
Join engAGED: The National Resource Center for Engaging Older Adults for "Bridging the Digital Divide: Connecting Consumers to Technology and Engagement," a webinar about connecting consumers to affordable technology on Thursday, July 13th at 11:00am ET.
During the webinar, Older Adults Technology Services (OATS) from AARP will highlight the Affordable Connectivity Program and how the ACL-funded aging network and partner organizations can connect more consumers to affordable broadband. The Association of Assistive Technology Act Programs (ATAP) will then spotlight state Assistive Technology Act programs and how the aging network and partner organizations can work with these programs to connect consumers to assistive technology. Attendees will also hear from the Baltimore County Department of Aging on events, tech support, training, and other tools it offers to connect consumers to broadband and devices and how other organizations can create similar strategies.
Register Now
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Join Us For a Webinar on Using the New CMS Nursing Home Affiliation Data
On June 28, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began to publish on its Nursing Home Care Compare website information regarding a facility’s affiliation with other nursing homes under common ownership or control. In addition, CMS published a data set entitled “Nursing Home Affiliated Entity Performance Measures”. For the first time, consumers will be able to see how nursing homes in a chain or under common ownership or control perform in various quality measures, including the Care Compare Five-Star rating system, staffing levels, regulatory violations, and many other performance measures.
On July 27, 2023, at 1 p.m. ET, Consumer Voice will hold a webinar to demonstrate how to use this newly available information. We will provide you with step-by-step guidance on how to access and interpret ownership and performance data.
Register Now
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Support the Documentary Film, No Country for Old People
Consumer Voice has partnered with award-winning filmmaker Susie Singer Carter in support of her documentary, No Country for Old People. This film aims to raise awareness of conditions and resident experiences in nursing homes by telling Susie's mother's story from her time in a nursing facility, and through interviews with industry experts and resident advocates.
As the documentary approaches the post-production and distribution phase, Susie Singer Carter has set up a GoFundMe and is seeking your support in order to complete the project and get this important story told.
Support the film
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