July 13, 2021

In this Issue:

1. New Podcast Episode: Resuming In-Person Ombudsman Visits During COVID-19
2. Updated CMS Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes
3. National Guardianship Network Makes Recommendations to Improve Adult Guardianship System
4. Residents: Participate in the 2021 Resident's Voice Challenge!

New Podcast Episode: Resuming In-Person Ombudsman Visits During COVID-19

In this episode of Pursuing Quality Long-Term Care we are sharing with you a presentation held by the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center (NORC) on how to identify and respond to signs of trauma and potential abuse or neglect and support residents as Ombudsman programs resume in-person visits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Laura Mosqueda, a national and international expert on elder abuse and neglect, provided tips for Ombudsman programs conducting in-person visits, such as signs of trauma in response to isolation and loss during the pandemic and potential signs of abuse and neglect. She also shared recommendations for supporting residents and available resources. As an accomplished physician and researcher, Dr. Mosqueda has testified in front of Congress and has been invited to the White House several times to discuss elder justice initiatives. She has taken the lead on landmark studies to identify forensic markers of abuse and neglect and serves as a volunteer representative for the California Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.

In this episode you will also hear from two Ombudsman program representatives, Karen Jones (California) and Jane Brink (Minnesota), as they shared their experience resuming in-person visits and highlighted what they observed upon reentry, how they supported residents, tips for visits, lessons learned, and successful practices.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Facebook, or our website.

Updated CMS Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 in Nursing Homes

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has updated its Toolkit on State Actions to Mitigate COVID-19 Prevalence in Nursing Homes.  The toolkit includes recent information and guidance on vaccinations to prevent infection with influenza virus, pneumococcus, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.  This toolkit catalogs the many innovative solutions designed at the state level to protect nursing home residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read the toolkit.

National Guardianship Network Makes Recommendations to Improve Adult Guardianship System

In May 2021, the National Guardianship Network brought together 125 advocates, family guardians, judges, lawyers, scholars, and other  stakeholders for the Fourth National Guardianship Summit.  The participants discussed the current state of the nation’s adult guardianship system and developed recommendations for reform and improvement around the theme of maximizing autonomy and ensuring accountability. At the conclusion of the summit, delegates approved 22 final recommendations to improve and reform the adult guardianship system in the United States.

Read the press release from the National Disability Rights Network for more information.

Residents: Participate in the 2021 Resident's Voice Challenge!

Residents of long-term care facilities 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.