Benefits of Membership

Why should I join Friends of Residents in Long Term Care?

1. We represent thousands of concerned families, individuals, and organizations across the state that want to support the 80,000 people who, because they can no longer live independently, reside in long term care facilities in the state of North Carolina. These residents need our voice, our commitment, and our strength in numbers to continue advocating for a better quality of life for this vulnerable population. Your tax-deductible membership in FORLTC results in us having a stronger voice in the legislature, a stronger role as advocates, and offers us an opportunity to offer more enhanced education and outreach programs, and an increased opportunity to promote positive change for residents in the long-term care community.

2. Our board of directors and sub-committees are composed of volunteers, and include concerned family members as well as professionals. We welcome your opinions, concerns, and dedication to improving the quality of care for everyone needing long term care services. Your membership and personal involvement are essential ingredients to keeping FORLTC successful!

How do my membership dues and financial contributions help FORLTC?

1. Information and referral – Our staff person answers communications concerning the rights and conditions of residents in long term care, who need our support and attention. For families in crisis, seeking long-term care for the first time, we offer support as well as information and referral on available resources.

2. Public policy – Our Public Policy Committee identifies needs and sets goals regarding legislative issues. We have a part-time lobbyist who meets with legislature regarding long-term care issues before our lawmakers. A bi-annual Legislative Day is held in Raleigh where constituents meet with their local legislatures to update them on their concerns for residents in long term care. We often will join a coalition with other organizations with similar concerns to advocate and to present a unified voice on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves.

3. Our quarterly newsletter, ”For Your Information”, is included free with membership. The newsletter informs members on current issues in long term care as well as the current projects within FORLTC.

4. Our website, www.forltc.org, is full of information, resources, and support for anyone who needs us -- especially seniors and their families.

Where is Friends of Residents headed in 2006?

1. We are the only independent, non-profit organization representing 80,000 North Carolina adults who can no longer live independently and those who care for them. Our organization is well respected, and media representatives often seek us out for our opinions or to answer questions on long term care issues. Through direct advocacy, and in our education and outreach programs, we work with other organizations to provide information and seek changes. In short, we're on the move, and we need you to get on board with us!

2. In 2006, we will be conducting workshops across the state called Long-Term Care 101, in which we educate families about what they need to know as they seek long term care for loved ones now and for themselves in the future. We are also providing our recently-published Family Council Manual to families wanting to start a Family Council in their loved one’s nursing home and for our statewide ombudsmen to use when creating Family Councils inside these facilities. Both projects are just the beginning of fulfilling our education and outreach mission.

MORE WORK IS AHEAD, AND WE NEED YOUR HELP TO CARRY ON! WE HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU SOON.