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Specialized Information for:
Long-Term Care ConsumersFamily MembersAdvocatesCOVID-19
Menu
Shop
Specialized Information for:
Long-Term Care ConsumersFamily MembersAdvocatesCOVID-19
Assisted living facilities are covered by state regulations rather than by federal regulations. Thus, the regulations for assisted living facilites vary by state. A report that summarizes each state's assisted living rules is available from the National Center for Assisted Living.
Your state Licensure and Certifications office can provide information about the status of any assisted living regulations in your state, or refer you to an office that can help you. Contact your state's Licensure and Certifications Agency for more information.
Citizen advocacy groups (CAGs) are groups of concerned citizens who work to improve the quality of care for nursing home residents in their locality, state, or region, and many groups have expanded their focus to address quality of care issues across the long-term care continuum. Members of these groups are often people who have had loved ones in nursing homes and are concerned about nursing home residents. The groups share a commitment to improving the quality of care and life for residents who are in need of long-term care. They may be able to inform you about resources in your state, the quality of care in particular facilities, and the current status of long-term care reform in your state.
Visit our citizen advocacy group page to find a CAG in your state to connect with others who are interested in long-term care reform.
The Consumer Voice encourages all residents, family members and advocates to learn more about the resident directed/centered care, also called "culture change," that is in many ways the full implementation of the 1987 nursing home reform law. Culture change is centered around deinstitutionalizing services and individualizing care. Click here to learn more and to access several valuable resources.
Elder Abuse Resources - It is estimated that 1 in 10 elders experience some form of abuse or neglect. The resources found on this page can be used to help detect, prevent, and create awareness for this important issue.
Consumer Voice's “Put a STOP to Poor Care” brochure, produced in collaboration with the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), includes indicators of quality care, warning signs, red flags of potential abuse, and advocacy tips to address concerns. Regardless of where an individual receives long-term care services and supports they are entitled to receive quality, person-centered care, and this brochure was designed to help consumers understand quality care, learn how to identify issues, and gain action steps to advocate for the care they need and deserve. Long-term care ombudsmen (LTCO) could distribute this brochure during their visits, use it as a training tool during in-service training for facility staff, and share it with members of Resident and Family Councils.
The brochure can be downloaded in different formats here and here.
In addition, Consumer Voice hosted a "Put a STOP to Poor Care" webinar in collaboration with the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) in order to provide a basic framework to help long-term care residents, their family members, and other advocates identify quality care and potential issues. Regardless of where an individual receives long-term care services and supports they are entitled to receive quality, person-centered care. The webinar presenters identify indicators of quality care and warning signs of poor care, provide communication tips, and share advocacy strategies to help consumers, family members, and others advocate for individualized care. Presenters also share available resources to assist in advocating for quality care and review the role of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO) Program and how to seek assistance from the LTCO program.
The slides for this webinar can be downloaded as a PDF or as a PowerPoint
It is estimated that 1 in 10 elders experience some form of abuse or neglect. These resources can be used to help detect, prevent, and create awareness for this important issue.