Elder Voice Family Advocates

ELDER VOICE ADVOCATES (EVA) IS A COALITION OF FAMILY MEMBERS AND OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION OF LOVED ONES WHO RECEIVED SERVICES FROM LONG-TERM CARE PROVIDERS. OUR MISSION IS STOP ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION OF ELDER AND VULNERABLE ADULTS BY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, POLICY MAKERS, INDUSTRY AND OTHERS ABOUT MALTREATMENT HAPPENING IN LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES AND THE NEED TO HAVE EFFECTIVE LAWS, POLICY AND ENFORCEMENT. EVA IS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION IN MINNESOTA WHOSE SOLE MISSION IS TO STOP ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION OF ELDER AND VULNERABLE ADULTS BY EDUCATING THE PUBLIC, POLICYMAKERS, AND OTHERS ABOUT MALTREATMENT HAPPENING IN LONG-TERM CARE (LTC) FACILITIES AND THE NEED TO HAVE EFFECTIVE LAWS, POLICY, AND ENFORCEMENT. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH INTERFACE (MDH): EVA CONTINUES WORKING WITH MDH BY REVIEWING ALL THE STATUTORY LANGUAGE AND THE MDH DRAFTS TO MAKE SUGGESTED CHANGES. MANY OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS WERE ADOPTED, FURTHER STRENGTHENING INFECTION CONTROL AND OTHER PROTECTIONS FOR RESIDENTS. WE WERE ALSO APPOINTED TO THE RESIDENT QUALITY TASK FORCE, ASSISTED LIVING ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND ASSISTED LIVING REPORT CARD ADVISORY TASK FORCE. COALITION PARTNERSHIPS: THERE HAS BEEN GOOD PROGRESS BUILDING A PARTNERING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MN OFFICE OF OMBUDSMAN FOR LONG-TERM CARE. WE ARE COLLABORATING ON SEVERAL POSSIBLE PUBLIC POLICY SOLUTIONS AND REVIEWING FAMILY COUNCIL DOCUMENTS. WE HAVE EXPANDED OUR COALITION BUILDING TO INCLUDE OTHER ELDER, RETIREE AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS. WE HAVE BEGUN TO EXPAND OUR ADVOCACY WORK FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES. LEGISLATIVE OUTREACH: EVA SUPPORTED THE SUCCESSFUL PASSAGE OF THE TASK FORCE ON GUARDIANSHIP, ESTABLISHMENT OF GUARDIAN LIABILITY, LEGISLATIVE AUDIT OF THE GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM AND WE SUPPORTED THE NURSING HOME FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONAL REPORTING LEGISLATION. NEW PROGRAMS: ENHANCEMENTS OF THE ELDER CARE IQ ONLINE SCREENING TOOL TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO SEE IF AN ASSISTED LIVING, NURSING HOME, HOME CARE, BOARDING CARE OR HOSPITAL HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED FOR ABUSE, NEGLECT AND/OR EXPLOITATION. ADDITIONALLY, WE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES UNDER OUR DISABILITY VOICE ADVOCATES PROGRAM. FAMILY ASSISTANCE: WE HELPED FAMILIES SEEKING MORE INFORMATION ON THE QUALITY OF CARE IN FACILITIES BEING CONSIDERED. THIS OFTEN TAKES SEVERAL HOURS TO DO THE RESEARCH AND ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS. OTHERS CALL, DESPERATE FOR HELP IN MANAGING A SERIOUS CARE ISSUE. MEDIA: WE WERE CALLED UPON BY NEWSPAPERS AND TV TO COMMENT ON VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE ASPECTS OF ELDER CARE. RECENT COVERAGE INCLUDES FRONT PAGE STORIES REGARDING THREATS TO STATE PROGRAMS THAT SUPPORT THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES, OUR PUBLIC POLICY ADVOCACY. ELDER VOICE ADVOCATES WEBSITE: WE ENGAGED THE EXPERTISE OF A CONTRACTED WEBSITE DEVELOPER IN DECEMBER 2020 CONTINUE TO BROADEN THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE ON THE GET HELP PAGE. WE CURRENTLY AVERAGE NEARLY 300 VISITS PER MONTH. ELDER CARE IQ WEBSITE: WE HAVE OVER 8,000 VISITORS SINCE NOVEMBER 2022 TO MAY 30, 2024. WE CURRENTLY AVERAGE 230 VISITS PER MONTH. THE E-NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIBER BASE HAS INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY FROM 400 IN NOVEMBER 2020 TO 1,300. WE HAVE A TOTAL OPEN RATE ACROSS ALL EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS OF APPROXIMATELY 50% AS COMPARED TO THE 25.2 % FOR TYPICAL NON-PROFIT E- NEWSLETTER OPEN RATE.