Q: NCCNHR is now The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care. Why the name change?
A: We’ve been talking about this for a number of years and we’ve been in discussions about expanding the focus of the organization across the long-term care spectrum. We wanted to focus on the fact that we are the consumer voice for long-term care.
Q: Tell us in a few words about the expanded advocacy of the group.
A: Our members and the individuals who call us to ask us how can they get quality care have increasingly been calling us from different long-term care settings. Now is the perfect opportunity to be of value to people in other settings.
Q: What is the No. 1 problem facing residents and consumers?
A: The challenge in working in non-facility settings, [oversight] is state and local-based; it’s fragmented. There are limited options in many places. Our challenge is how to advocate for quality care and life for people in various situations under different states and rules.
Q: How can long-term care most improve?
A: It’s the quality issue. We want to make sure people are receiving quality care. A big part of that is a well-trained direct-care workforce.
From the July 01, 2010 Issue of McKnight's Long-Term Care News
