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November 10, 2020
In this Issue:
- New Podcast Episode: What does family advocacy look like during COVID-19?
- State COVID-19 Policies with Updated Visitation Information
- Sign the Petition to Oppose Immunity for Nursing Homes that Harm Residents
- Join Us Virtually in December for the Consumer Voice Conference
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New Podcast Episode: What does family advocacy look like during COVID-19?
Even before COVID-19, families have played a key role in advocating for their loved ones in nursing homes. Many family's jobs got harder when facilities shut down visitation in March, but even as visitation slowly opens back up, many are still struggling with how best to advocate for their family members.
In episode six of our Pursuing Quality podcast, we're talking with Robyn Grant, Director of Public Policy at Consumer Voice about how families can advocate for their loved ones for all residents, both on the local level and nationwide, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts.
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State COVID-19 Policies with Updated Visitation Information
Consumer Voice has updated the tool on our website that tracks each state’s policies and practices regarding the COVID-19 crisis in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. The interactive map allows users to select a state and learn detailed information on that state’s policies regarding reopening and visitation policies; the public release of COVID-19 cases and deaths in long-term care facilities; and whether the state has taken action to grant civil and/or criminal immunity to long-term care facilities for substandard care that resulted in the harm or death of a resident.
Visitation information provided includes whether the state has adopted the visitation guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in September, policies on essential caregivers, and whether visitors are required to be tested. Note that state policies on visitation are in flux. Many states are either adopting CMS guidance or modifying their own and incorporating some of the CMS guidance. Because each state is adopting its own policies, the information is changing frequently. The Consumer Voice will keep the information as up to date as possible.
Find information for your state.
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Sign the Petition to Oppose Immunity for Nursing Homes that Harm Residents
Have you signed our petition to oppose immunity for nursing homes that harm residents? Countless long-term care residents lost their lives to COVID-19; others have suffered from months of isolation and neglect due to facilities being locked down. The Senate has proposed to give nursing homes a free pass for care that harmed or killed residents during the pandemic. In fact, they would allow nursing homes to escape accountability for harmful care until 2024. It is now becoming clear that many of the deaths in long-term care facilities could have been prevented, if facilities had properly staffed their homes, followed infection control procedures, and took other reasonable steps to protect residents. We cannot ask residents to pay with their lives because of the shortcoming of nursing homes, while at the same time allowing nursing homes to face no repercussions.
Sign the petition to tell Congress to protect residents of long-term care facilities and oppose immunity for nursing homes. Hundreds of thousands of lives are at risk.
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Join Us Virtually in December for the Consumer Voice Conference
 Join us virtually for the 2020 Conference!
- Listen to key experts at the federal level discuss the latest policy updates;
- Hear the voice of long-term care consumers;
- Connect with advocates nationwide and learn about best practices;
- Gain skills relevant to your work; and
- Return to your work, your advocacy, and your community revitalized and equipped with new tools to put your systems and individual advocacy into action!
Our virtual conference will include the same great content you expect from a Consumer Voice Conference with new, unique opportunities to connect online.
Registration for the conference includes three full days of LIVE programming and 30 days of access to all of the recordings after the event.
See session topics and the preliminary agenda.
Register Now
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