Kate Barrett, elder-care supervisor for the Orange County Department on Aging, said members of the nursing and adult care home community advisory committees hoped to engage in a dialogue with state legislators about shortcomings in the adult long-term care system.
"We'll tell legislators where we see the system failing and then review legislative acts that impact long-term care," she said. "We'll also talk to legislators to see what we can do on this end to promote better care facilities."
Cheri Rosemond, chairwoman of the Adult Care Home Community Advisory Committee, said committee members expect state Sens. Ellie Kinnaird and Howard Lee as well as Reps. Verla C. Insko and Joe Hackney, all Orange County Democrats, to attend Tuesday's meeting. A representative of U.S. Rep. David Price, D-N.C., is also expected to attend, she said.
Rosemond said adult-care committee members will emphasize to legislators concerns about access and availability for those in need of care; staffing, training and management of facilities; and residents' quality of care and quality of life.
Affordability of rooms, transportation to and from facilities, and hygiene, food and privacy will also be discussed, she said.
Charron Andrews, a member of the adult-care committee, said committee members would also address lack of commitment from the corporate offices of larger adult-care facilities.
Andrews and Rosemond emphasized the importance of addressing state legislation that has changed or might affect long-term care providers.
Tuesday's meeting with lawmakers is an opportunity to discuss legislative issues with people who can influence them, Andrews said.
"We'll address specific legislative issues that have come up and may come up again -- issues that legislators can speak to," she said.
