VOICES, Inc.

06/08/2026

Michelle offers advice on options to keep a loved one safe at home before entering a nursing home on this episode of Ask the Ombudsman!

06/03/2026

05/21/2026

Consumer Voice worked with the Department of Justice's Elder Justice Initiative to create training materials for first responders answering calls to long-term care facilities. This 8-part toolkit features new fact sheets and educational videos to inform first responders on resident rights, communicating with residents, what to look for and how to address resident abuse, and more. Check out the toolkit: https://bit.ly/FirstResponderLTCToolkit

05/19/2026

In the photo is what we saw. What we did was: work with the facility to provide nutritious and appetizing meals to residents.

05/12/2026

NAVIGATING LONG-TERM CARE FOR A LOVED ONE:
It’s Never an Easy Decision
(First in a five-part series)

Despite the commercials you see, with children amicably talking with their parents about the time for them to move into senior care and the parents happily agreeing, reality is far different than these Disneyesque portrayals.

As someone who has been through this process, I hope you can learn from my mistakes. My husband and I fully intended to care for our aging parents and bring them to live with us. We had those conversations when we were all younger and thought our parents would just slow down and need a little looking after and everything would be fine.

Truth is – all four of our parents passed away in nursing facilities. Increasing medical needs and physical decline that were far beyond our capabilities prevented them from living with us. Thankfully, all were able to stay in their own homes until a few months before passing. But had we been better prepared and more realistic in our expectations, the transitions could have been easier. Hopefully, our experience can help pave the way for a more positive outcome for others.

Make sure you follow this page for Part 2: Steps for preparation (Just in case)

From someone who has been there,
Cathy

05/06/2026

Right #1
Our neighbors living in long-term care homes have the legal right to be treated with
dignity and respect!

05/06/2026

05/04/2026

Which one would you prefer to live in?

The patients who live in long-term care facilities live in a facility often referred to by staff as “my facility.” The staff work in the facility and care for the patients in their rooms. Patients have the right to access the lobby, the shower room, and the activity room.

The NEIGHBORS who live in long-term care HOMES are part of THEIR COMMUNITY. The regulations are clear that the HOME is the NEIGHBORS’ HOME. The staff have the privilege to work in the NEIGHBORS’ HOME and care for MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY in their APARTMENT OR HOME. MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY have the right to access the LIVING ROOM, the SPA, and the FAMILY ROOM.

04/29/2026

Words matter in how they make us feel.

04/24/2026

Make time to dance! You are never too old. 😁