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August 24, 2010:  2010 Fall Fun Fling Set for Nov. 19

RALEIGH – A brilliant new play written by Dr. Elliot Engel will headline the 2010 Fall Fun Fling, a fundraiser to support the education and advocacy activities of Friends of Residents in Long Term Care (FORLTC). The event will be held Friday, November 19, 2010 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 3313 Wade Avenue, Raleigh. Cost of event tickets is $25.00.

FORLTC is a 501(c)3 non-profit whose mission is to advance quality of life and quality of care for the 90,000+ frail elderly and disabled who live in North Carolina’s long-term care facilities. In the organization’s 20-year history, its members have successfully advocated for such issues as improved staffing levels, criminal background checks for direct care workers in long-term facilities, and enhanced educational requirements for nurse aides and personal care assistants.

The play, titled “The Best is Yet to Be,” will star actress and regional icon Quinn Hawkesworth. The one-person play is a poignant, realistic, and often humorous look at the issues of aging, as told through the eyes of family members, paid caregivers, long-term care administrators, and the residents themselves.

“The purpose behind writing this play is to look at issues of aging – issues we all tend to avoid thinking or talking about – in a very honest, yet humorous way,” states Dr. Engel. “We want entertain people, but also get them thinking about their own aging process and potential long-term care experience in a positive and proactive way.”

Prior to the play, a reception and silent auction will occur, featuring Gary Ross paintings, collectible wines, beach and mountain weekends, estate and artisan jewelry, North Carolina pottery, Christmas items, quilts, and a host of donated items. Hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served. In addition, a drawing for a $500 cash prize and other items is scheduled. Drawing tickets are $5.00 each and purchasers do not have to be present to win.

Event tickets and drawing tickets can be purchased through the FORLTC website at www.forltc.org, or by calling the organization’s office at 919-782-1530.

February 3, 2010:  Assisted Neglect, Editorial, News and Observer

February 1, 2010:  Bankruptcy Foils Recompense by Thomas Goldsmith, News and Observer

January 11, 2010:  NC Star Ratings System gets Another Level of Ratings in 2010

The ratings system for Adult Care Homes in North Carolina is about to improve.  Since the beginning of the unique system in NC only three stars (levels) were available to rate facilities.  The division of Adult Care Licensure started issuing star ratings for adult care homes last January.  But it didn’t take into account previous penalties against facilities for inadequate care before the system started.  Consequently, most facilities received a three start rating – providing little consumer information to family members.  This year, an additional star is available in the ratings system and penalties levied against centers for neglect, unsafe conditions, or inadequate care could weigh heavily against them.  Other factors, including whether facilities meet standards on staffing, handling residents’ medications, training and sanitation, will effect the number of stars given in a rating.

“When the four stars start being issued, you’ll see a truer reflection of the care being provided, ” said Jeff Horton, head of the State Division of Health Services Regulation, which oversees the centers. (From a 1/04/10 article by Thomas Goldsmith of the Raleigh News and Observer.)  Read the entire article online.

The star rating system for adult care homes and family care homes is based on North Carolina law and policy and only relates to facilities licensed in North Carolina.  For information about North Carolina’s rating system and information about facilities listed, visit http://www.dhhs.state.ns.us/dhsr/acls/star//search.asp.

2009 News Archives:
October 6, 2009 GAO Finds Many Poor Quality Nursing Homes Escape Needed Oversight