News Article

Abuse Prevention and Response

January 25, 2019

Recent news stories about the sexual assault of a nursing home resident in Arizona has highlighted the need for education, advocacy, and action around preventing abuse of vulnerable individuals.  In a segment on CBS This Morning, Consumer Voice Executive Director Lori Smetanka called for further protections of residents and oversight of nursing home staff.

The Consumer Voice has several resources that include important information about abuse prevention, abuse reporting, and protection of individual rights, including:

• Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes: What You Need to Know issue brief
• Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, and Misappropriation of Property in Nursing Homes: What You Need to Know – Prezi video
• Put a STOP to Poor Care brochure and webinar  

For 2019, Consumer Voice’s advocacy will focus on public policies that:

• Prevent, reduce, or eliminate elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation;
• Provide a voice for consumers about the policies that affect them;
• Promote adequate staffing levels and competencies in long-term care facilities;
• Support consumer access to strong, effective advocacy, such as to the long-term care ombudsman program;
• Respect, uphold, and enforce consumer rights; and
• Preserve, implement, and enforce laws, regulations, and policies that protect and support long-term care consumers.

Take Action

What can you do?

• Share Consumer Voice’s resources about abuse prevention with family, friends, and colleagues.
• Connect with others through resident and family councils, or citizen advocacy groups.
• Know your rights and the warning signs of abuse.
• Report concerns to the administration and appropriate authorities.
• Get to know your Long-Term Care Ombudsman.
• Become a member and donate in order to support Consumer Voice advocacy.