Jessica Brill Ortiz – The Consumer Voice, “Empowered, Effective and Independent Family Councils”

Jessica Brill Ortiz – The Consumer Voice, “Empowered, Effective and Independent Family Councils” http://www.theconsumervoice.org/ Join me as I interview Jessica Brill Ortiz from The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care and Ken Pedersen - Chair of "FAMILY COUNCIL at The Cedars," Charlottesville, Virginia The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Careis the leading national voice representing consumers in issues related to long-term care, helping to ensure that consumers are empowered to advocate for themselves. We are a primary source of information and tools for consumers, families, caregivers, advocates and ombudsmen to help ensure quality care for the individual. The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care provides information and leadership on federal and state regulatory and legislative policy development and models and strategies to improve care and life for residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. Ongoing work addresses issues such as: * Inadequate staffing in nursing homes, particularly all levels of nursing staff; * Poor working conditions, salaries and benefits for long-term care workers; * Maintenance of residents' rights and empowerment of residents; * Support for family members and development of family councils; * Resources for and support to Citizen Advocacy Groups (CAGs); * Development and support for the long-term care ombudsman program; * Minimizing the use of physical and chemical restraints; * The high cost of poor care, such as pressure sores, dehydration, incontinence, and contracture of residents' muscles and * Accountability to taxpayers for nursing home expenditures and failure to fulfill government contracts.