<p> Weekly Overview: Week Five 1 LTC/328 Version 2 Weekly Overview</p><p>Week Five</p><p>Overview</p><p>Many issues, policies, laws, and regulations affect the long-term-care system—there is no single policy or plan. A diverse range of services that interact with many advocacy organizations along this continuum of post-acute care are needed to meet the growing needs of the older adult population. As their focus, these organizations strive to ensure quality care and services for older adults. One particularly important service is that of advocacy. Advocacy is the providing of support, pleading, or arguing (in the political sense) in support of specific causes, ideas, or policies. Advocacy can be done i ndividually or by a group, such as the AARP. Advocacy can occur on national, state, or local levels, and it is generally intended to influence public policies, resource allocation decisions, and the rights of the target population or group.</p><p>What you will cover</p><p>.1 Advocacy .a Analyze advocacy services available for older adults. )1 Advocacy is providing of support, pleading or arguing (in the political sense) in favor of a specific cause, idea, or policy. )a Advocacy can occur at the local, state, or national level. )b The purpose of advocacy is to influence decision making and create positive change for people and their environments. )c Lobbying can be a form of advocacy by conducting activities aimed at influencing public officials—particularly members of a legislative body—who can effect laws or promote the passage of legislation. )d Health advocacy promotes patients’ health care rights and enhances community health and public policy initiatives that focus on the availability, safety, and quality of care. Legislative advocacy is the reliance on the state or federal legislative process as part of the strategy to effect change. )e Media advocacy involves the use of mass media as a resource to advocate a social or public policy. )f Mass advocacy is action taken by large groups: petitions and demonstrations )2 Area Agency on Aging (AAA) )a Developed to address and advocate for the needs of adults age 60 and over )b Operates under the federal Older Americans Act of 1965 and operates in local communities under the State Department of Aging. )c AAA assesses client needs, determines eligibility for services based on need, and ensures that needed services are available to consumers. )d Operates case management and protective services departments ()1 AAA advocates for consumer needs: housing, nutrition, safety, transportation, health care, and finances. ()2 AAA employees ensure consumers maintain a good quality of living by protecting them from various forms of abuse.</p><p>Copyright © 2015 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Weekly Overview: Week Five 2 LTC/328 Version 2</p><p>()3 Services provided include Meals on Wheels, referrals to adult day care centers and senior centers, removal from abusive environments, provision of safe transportation, health care advocates, etc. )3 Ombudsman program )a The 1978 Amendment to the Older Americans Act mandates every state have an ombudsman program administered by the Area Agency on Aging (AAA). )b The ombudsman is a trained professional who works independently with nursing home residents and their families to resolve concerns or problems related to living in a long- term care facility. Facilities include nursing homes, boarding and care homes, and assisted living facilities. )c The ombudsman investigates and resolves complaints on behalf of facility residents and informs consumers on how to obtain quality care. ()1 The ombudsman educates the public and facility staff on complaint filing, new laws governing facilities, and best practices used to improve quality of care. ()2 The ombudsman also informs public agencies about the problems of older adults living in nursing facilities. )4 AARP )a Membership organization leading positive social change to people age 50 and over through information, advocacy, and service. ()1 Provides education on positive aging, older adult abuse and financial exploitation, health insurance and benefits, long-term care services, political issues, and more ()2 Lobbies with local, state, and federal governments on behalf of issues affecting older adults )5 Other entities or individuals providing advocacy for older adults )a Health care providers: physicians, nurses, counselors )b Senior centers )c Religious institutions )d Long-term care facilities—administrators and managers must advocate on behalf of residents and facilities. )e Families )f Grassroots community organizations )g Older adults—self-advocacy .b Determine the role of advocacy in protecting the rights of older adults. )1 Advocacy activities )a Working with people or groups who need support to ensure rights are upheld )b Issue analysis determines what issues have an effect on the population and doing adequate research on the issues. What are the actual issues? What needs to be addressed? )c Build awareness and support for issues that have an effect on older adults. ()1 Educational campaigns ()a Campaigns focus on creating awareness and educating the public. ()b National advertising campaigns: TV commercials, billboards, newspaper articles, and Internet ()c National Council on Elder Abuse launched the Join the Fight Against Elder Abuse Campaign in May 2009 ()2 Community and town hall meetings ()3 Letter-writing campaigns to local, state, and national offices and officials ()4 Phone calls and e-mail campaigns to local, state, and national offices and officials</p><p>Copyright © 2015 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Weekly Overview: Week Five 3 LTC/328 Version 2</p><p>()5 Letters to the editor of local newspapers ()6 Participate in political roundtables, discussions, and forums ()7 Encourage individuals to exercise their right to vote ()8 Serve as a resource to those looking for information on issues of importance to older adults. .c Aims of Advocacy- www.agedrights.asn.au/rights/whatis.html ()1 Increase the older person’s control over goods and services ()2 Overcome barriers that restrict opportunities ()3 Ensure appropriate societal and service delivery responses ()4 Protect human rights ()5 Ensure a better quality of life ()6 Be responsive to and emphasize individual needs and wishes ()7 Be oriented toward outcomes for older people ()8 Aim for empowerment of disadvantaged individuals and groups ()9 Challenge stereotypes and stigma (agedrights.asn.au)</p><p>DISCUSSION PROMPTS</p><p>1. What effect have advocacy services had on the care and treatment of the aging population? 2. What advocacy services are available for older adults in your community? Are these services effective? If there are not any, what services do you think should be available? 3. How do you see advocacy services changing within the next 10 years? Explain why.</p><p>Copyright © 2015 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved.</p>