June 1, 2021

In this Issue:

1. Taking Action for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
2. Materials Available from NORC TA Open Dialogue Series on COVID-19 Recovery & Reentry
3. Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities at the 2021 Consumer Voice Annual Conference
4. Resident's are Invited to Participate in the 2021 Resident's Voice Challenge
   
5. Justice in Aging Webinar Tomorrow on Defending Against "Bad Behavior" Evictions
   

Taking Action for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

June 15, 2021 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). On that day, communities in the USA and all over the world will sponsor events to highlight solutions to this systemic social challenge. Elder abuse is an injustice with many consequences for our society, affecting everything from our communities’ public health to our economic resources. Working together, we can build the social supports that can prevent elder abuse. We need everyone to educate each other about the impact of elder abuse and the pervasiveness of ageism (biases against older people) in our culture. We all deserve to lead happy lives, free from abuse as we age. Through outreach and statewide engagement, we can raise this social issue to a worldwide priority that must be addressed and prevented.

Visit the WEAAD website to see how you can take action.

Visit Consumer Voice's website for more resources.

Materials Available from NORC TA Open Dialogue Series on COVID-19 Recovery & Reentry

Materials are available from "Successful Complaint Investigation and Resolution During COVID-19," the final webinar in the series COVID-19 Recovery & Reentry: TA Open Dialogue Webinars from the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC). This webinar explored how Ombudsman programs have successfully advocated with and for residents, despite in-person visitation restrictions and other barriers.  The series shared successful program practices during the pandemic and as programs "get back to normal."  The other webinars in the series covered Successful Communication During COVID-19 and Successful Volunteer Recruitment, Training, and Retention During COVID-19.

See materials from all webinars in the series on NORC's website.

Sponsorship and Exhibitor Opportunities at the 2021 Consumer Voice Annual Conference

Sponsorship and exhibit opportunities are available for the 2021 Consumer Voice Virtual Annual Conference, November 3-5, 2021. After a challenging
year for long-term care residents, their families, and advocates, we are looking ahead and are excited to begin Moving Forward Together! We are pleased to be using the same virtual conference platform we used last year to resume the momentum, relationships, and advocacy found at all of our annual conferences that continue to attract national advocates for quality long-term care.

Last year, our conference doubled in size! We had nearly 700 participants from 45 states and the District of Columbia. By joining us virtually you will have the opportunity to reach more people than ever before. Attendees represented long-term care Ombudsman programs, citizen advocates, long-term care residents, family members, government officials, policy experts, attorneys, direct care staff, and others who came together for the latest information on national policy issues, skills-based training, best practices, and advocacy strategies. Our numbers have been rising every year, and we expect the same this year. Our conference platform provides easy and engaging networking occasions and interactive sessions.

Learn more about sponsor and exhibitor opportunities.

Residents are Invited to Participate in the 2021 Resident's Voice Challenge

Creative writing and artistic expression are meaningful and compelling ways to highlight the importance of residents’ rights and how these rights can be carried out in all long-term care settings. Residents are invited to get creative by participating in this year’s 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 - Reclaiming My Rights, My Home, My Life.

How to Participate:

Artwork Contest - This year’s theme emphasizes that the long-term care facility is the residents’ home. As part of the Resident’s Voice Challenge, we will be selecting original resident artwork to be featured on door hangers. These door hangers will serve as a reminder for anyone who visits that this is your home.

Alternatively, residents can respond to the Resident’s Voice Challenge in writing, audio, or via video by answering one or more of the prompt questions.

Submissions are due September 1, 2021.

Learn more about how to participate.

Justice in Aging Webinar Tomorrow on Defending Against "Bad Behavior" Evictions

Join Justice in Aging for a webinar tomorrow, Wednesday, June 2nd at 2:00pm ET entitled "Defending Against 'Bad Behavior' Evictions in Nursing Facilities."  Nursing facilities will often attempt to evict residents due to alleged “behaviors.” Most “behaviors” stem from Alzheimer’s Disease or another dementia, and should be well within a nursing facility’s professional competence. In most cases, care planning rather than eviction is the proper response. During this webinar, legal services attorneys will discuss the relevant law and offer tips for representing clients facing eviction due to behavioral symptoms. Alzheimer’s Disease experts will discuss common behavioral symptoms and effective ways to deal with those symptoms.

Register Now