A nursing home should be a safe haven for aging and disabled loved ones, offering compassionate and reliable care. Yet, recent findings reveal alarming financial exploitation by some facilities, threatening the well-being of both residents and their families. Predatory financial practices in nursing homes—ranging from fraudulent billing to aggressive debt collection—impose devastating financial and emotional…
Read MoreVOYCE to Provide Ombudsman Services for Aging Matters
Starting November 1, 2024, VOYCE will be the official provider of Long-Term Care Ombudsman Services for the Aging Matters Area Agency on Aging region. This significant development extends our reach and impact, ensuring comprehensive coverage for the entire eastern side of Missouri. As we expand our advocacy efforts, we are proud to partner with Aging…
Read MoreCelebrating Resident Rights Month: Empowering Long-Term Care Residents
October is Resident Rights Month, a time to honor and empower individuals in long-term care facilities. It’s a month to reflect on these residents’ rights and to respect, protect, and celebrate them. As we highlight these essential rights, it’s also an opportunity to remind everyone that ombudsmen are here to help residents exercise their rights…
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Ageism Awareness Day: Taking a Stand Against Ageism and Its Consequences
October 9 marks Ageism Awareness Day, a critical opportunity to reflect on and combat one of the most widespread yet socially accepted forms of prejudice: ageism. The World Health Organization defines ageism as stereotypes, prejudices, and discrimination directed towards others or oneself based on age. Ageism affects people across all stages of life. Unfortunately, ageism is often invisible, woven…
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Understanding Your Role in Elder Justice and Fighting Elder Abuse
At VOYCE, we believe that protecting the dignity and well-being of all our community members, especially older adults and people with disabilities, is a shared responsibility. Elder abuse remains a silent crisis, often hidden behind closed doors, often framed as family drama or as someone being “stupid.” However, a vigilant, committed community can stop elder…
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Downsizing in St. Louis: Where to Start and What You Need to Know
Downsizing your home is a significant life transition, but it can also be an empowering one. For many, selling a home and moving into a more manageable space is not just about reducing square footage but embracing a new chapter in life. Knowing where to start is crucial whether you’re downsizing in St. Louis to…
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Ensuring Dignity and Safety in Nursing Homes: The Importance of Advocacy and Elder Justice
KMOX recently reported on a recent incident at a University City nursing home, where residents endured unsanitary conditions, including a bug infestation. The story underscores a critical failure in protecting long-term care residents. Such situations are not just lapses in care. They’re also violations of the fundamental rights that residents of long-term care facilities are…
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