The Residential Facilities Advisory Committee (RFAC) for the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is pleased to announce that current RFAC member Bill Bard of Portland was recently elected to the Leadership Council of the Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. The Consumer Voice is the leading national organization representing consumers in issues related to long-term care. It is the primary source of information and tools for residents, families, caregivers, advocates and ombudsmen to help ensure quality care for individual’s living in various long-term care settings.
Michelle Edwards, Chair of the RFAC, states “Bill has shown excellent insight and leadership during his long service as a Certified Ombudsman volunteer and former Chair of this committee. We are pleased that he has been given this opportunity to bring his many skills and experience to this important National program.”
Bill’s term of membership on the Council is for three years. The Council meets regularly throughout the year to advise and support the Consumer Voice as it carries out its public and programmatic agenda.
Fred Steele, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and Agency Director of the State of Oregon’s Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman notes that “Bill has worked tirelessly on behalf of our program and its volunteers. We are pleased that he can bring an Oregon point of view to the important challenges facing individuals residing in licensed long-term care facilities and their families at the National level.”
The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, is a free and confidential advocacy program available to residents, families, facility staff and the public. Ombudsmen advocate for residents of nursing facilities, residential care and assisted living facilities, and adult foster care homes. Complaints are investigated and resolved by professional ombudsmen and trained volunteers assigned to facilities.
A small cadre of professional staff supervise trained Ombudsman volunteers who are recruited statewide. Certification training classes are scheduled on a regular basis throughout the state. For more information about volunteering or to report a concern at a long-term care facility, dial 1-800-522-2602 or visit www.oregon.gov/LTCO.
The Residential Facilities Advisory Committee, whose members are appointed by the Governor and the Legislative leadership, is charged by Oregon Statute (ORS 441.137) to monitor and advise the Governor and the Legislative Assembly on the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. For more information, go to the website at http://www.oregon.gov/ltco/, or by email to [email protected]
The Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care began as an advocacy organization to improve nursing-home care but has expanded its focus to become an advocate for people who need long-term care anywhere, including assisted living and home and community-based settings. For more than 35 years, the Consumer Voice has been recognized as the only national organization to bring long-term care consumers’ voices directly to federal policy discussions and serves as a leader in empowering consumers. Visit the website at http://www.theconsumervoice.org
