The minimum staffing rule in nursing homes, the culmination of decades of advocacy by nursing home residents, their families, and other advocates, is estimated to save 13,000 lives each year. But some in Congress are proposing to rescind or delay the rule as part of an end-of-the-year deal. Reach out to your members of Congress and tell them to reject any such deal.
Get Involved
Be an advocate for long-term care consumers by speaking up, taking action, and staying connected. There are many ways to get involved in ensuring all consumers receive quality care.
Become a Member
The Consumer Voice offers a 12-month membership program, open to anyone interested in supporting and advocating for long-term care consumers. Membership includes benefits such as:
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Significantly discounted rates for the annual conference registration, webinars, publications, products, and other events
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Access to calls specifically for members which include policy updates, guest speakers, and dialogue on important, current issues
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Supporting Consumer Voice’s advocacy, at the national level, for quality care, quality of life, and protection of rights for all persons receiving long-term care
Member Experiences
Make a Contribution
Consumer Voice’s ability to be an independent advocacy voice for all long-term care consumers is made possible by the generous financial support of our donors.
Speak Up and Share Your Voice
We want to hear from YOU
Tell us about your experience or your loved one’s experience in long-term care. By sharing your story, you help inform our advocacy.
Tell Your Members of Congress to Improve Long-Term Care and Protect Long-Term Care Consumers
Members of Congress must make the safety and dignity of our long-term care consumers a priority. Use this opportunity to urge them to support laws and policies that protect consumers and increase access to high-quality long-term care supports and services (LTSS).
Stay Connected
Be an active supporter and the first to know about Consumer Voice’s new resources and updates on important policies affecting long-term care consumers.
Get Involved with Consumer Voice
Governing Board
The Consumer Voice Governing Board is responsible for the management of the organization including providing fiscal oversight and fund development, conducting and implementing strategic planning, and representing the organization publicly.
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Leadership Council
The Consumer Voice Leadership Council is responsible for developing the public policy and programmatic agenda of the organization, including the development of public policy resolutions, representing the organization publicly, and providing support and input on national workgroups and committees.
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Consumer Advisory Council
The Consumer Advisory Council is made up of a group of energetic and motivated individuals who receive long-term care services and supports. They come together to voice what they’re experiencing in long-term care right now and share advocacy strategies with each other. Their experiences and insights inform our advocacy.
Get Involved in Your Community
Become a Volunteer
Volunteers are the backbone of many Long-term Care Ombudsman Programs (LTCOP). With the help of volunteers, the Ombudsman program can have a regular presence in facilities and stay in touch with residents. Volunteers lend their time, talent, and voice to make a difference in their communities and the LTCOP could not be its best without the volunteers who help carry out the mission of advocating for long-term care residents.
Many states use volunteers to visit residents living in nursing homes and residential care communities, these volunteers serve as advocates for residents. A volunteer who visits regularly can be a bright spot in a resident’s day. Many residents are alone and would be very happy to have your visits. This also helps ensure they are provided with quality care when someone from the community is looking in on them regularly.
Contact an Ombudsman program near you for more information about volunteering.
Join or Form a Family Council
Family members can join together to form a Family Council as a united voice to communicate concerns to facility administrators and work for resolutions and improvements. Their common goal is to empower families and caregivers to advocate for the best interests of their loved ones and contribute to the improvement of care services and support systems. Join the family council at your loved one’s facility, if no family council exists, join with other family members to form one.
Join or Form a Resident Council
Residents in a nursing home can join a resident council to form a united consumer voice. The primary purpose of a Resident Council is to advocate for the needs, interests, and rights of the residents within the community. Resident Councils play a crucial role in voicing concerns, requesting improvements, and supporting new residents. Join the Resident Council at your facility. If no resident council exists, join with other residents to form one.
