National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care Launches First-Ever Online Long-Term Care Clearinghouse
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Advocates and others who work with and for consumers of long-term care, services and supports frequently need information quickly to support and enhance their advocacy work, but instead they must request information from individuals and groups across the country and wait for a response -- which might not come in time or at all. In other cases, people reach out to the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (Consumer Voice) with information requests. While information-sharing is core to the Consumer Voice's mission, the quantity of repeat requests and lack of a way to coordinate and compile information called for a new way to make long-term care information available to consumers and advocates.
In September 2013, the Consumer Voice launched the first-ever online clearinghouse for long-term care information geared toward promoting effective advocacy and consumer-directed care at clearinghouse.theconsumervoice.org. The Clearinghouse reduces the time advocates and others spend searching for credible information on a wide range of long-term care topics and establishes a one-stop-shop of information on a range of long-term care issues, particularly for those who wish to advocate for consumers.
Lori Smetanka, Interim Executive Director of the Consumer Voice, said that there was an immediate and apparent need for a Clearinghouse of long-term care information. "Nationwide, advocates needed a reliable, comprehensive, up-to-date Clearinghouse to easily access the resources they need, right when they needed them. The Consumer Voice Clearinghouse strives to answer that need." Smetanka also noted the Clearinghouse's effect on advocates across the country. "The Clearinghouse has the potential to positively impact the work and advocacy of millions of individuals and groups. The Clearinghouse will enhance long-term care advocacy efforts and promote quality care and life for consumers of long-term care, services and supports across the nation."
The Consumer Voice Clearinghouse currently includes nearly 1000 initial resources, and the tool will continue to grow and improve as new materials are added by the Consumer Voice and suggested by the Consumer Voice's network of consumers and advocates. After registering, the Clearinghouse is free to use and includes resources from the Consumer Voice and the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center, as well as a multitude of useful resources from other organizations. Begin using the Clearinghouse now at: clearinghouse.theconsumervoice.org.
About the Consumer Voice
The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care was formed as the National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform in 1975 because of public concern about substandard care in nursing homes. Today, the Consumer Voice is the leading national voice representing consumers in issues related to long-term care and helping to ensure that consumers are empowered to advocate for themselves.
SOURCE National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
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