About Citizens for Better Care

This website is no longer maintained by Citizens for Better Care (CBC) and has become part of the “archive” program. The archive program keeps websites live for informational purposes only. This website is not actively maintained or monitored. Information you find on this website may be out of date or incorrect.

Organization Description: An independent non-profit consumer advocacy and information agency, started in 1969, for residents of long term care and their support persons. Services include regional ombudsman services in nursing homes, adult foster care, homes for the aged, and licensed “assisted living”; family council development; family support services; elder abuse prevention education; state and federal legislative and policy advocacy; quarterly newsletters and many publications; training of long term care professionals; and participation in consumer coalitions.

The CBC Philosophy

While each resident’s situation is unique, the following philosophy guides the CBC staff and volunteer programs, and must be followed in all cases:

CBC encourages residents to voice their concerns to the appropriate nursing home authorities first. If that fails to solve the problem, CBC volunteers and staff members intervene. CBC keeps all interaction with residents and family members confidential on the resident’s behalf and only with their permission.

CBC attempts to work through appropriate channels in the nursing home. Then, if necessary, CBC will help residents file formal complaints with government agencies and monitor their progress until the problem is resolved. Helping a resident get coffee that is hot or sheets that are clean may not change the world, but it does change the resident’s world. With your help, CBC will raise the overall quality of care for all of Michigan’s nursing home residents – today’s and tomorrow’s.

Issues

Long term care discrimination against seniors and persons with disabilities; regulation and enforcement; Medicaid and Medicare; elder abuse; unregulated “assisted living”; resident advocacy and family councils; long term care options; health care professionals, social workers and discharge planners.

What Does CBC Do?

  • CBC provides help in planning for the care of frail, elderly and disabled adults in licensed long term care facilities.
  • CBC provides information about particular nursing homes, homes for the aged, and other long term care programs.
  • CBC provides information about laws, rules, and regulations that govern nursing homes and other long term care facilities and services.
  • CBC assists in resolving complaints about long term care facilities and services.
  • CBC initiates special projects, conducts research, and is actively concerned with legislation affecting the well being of the elderly and
  • others who receive long term care and elder abuse.
  • CBC provides information to the general public through publications and a speakers’ bureau on topics related to long term care. These include choosing a nursing home, nursing home residents’ rights, Medicaid and Medicare benefits for long term care, long term care insurance.
  • CBC provides elder abuse prevention training to social workers, discharge planners, attorneys, nursing assistants and other health care and lay people who work in the field of long-term care.

Citizens For Better Care is a non-profit consumer organization. All contributions to CBC are tax deductible as provided under law.

How is Citizens for Better Care Funded?

  • United Way in Michigan
  • The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging
  • Detroit Area Agency on Aging
  • The Senior Alliance
  • Area Agency on Aging lB
  • Region II Commission on Aging
  • Region IV Area Agency on Aging
  • Valley Area Agency on Aging
  • Tri-County Office on Aging
  • Region Vll Area Agency on Aging
  • Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
  • Northwest Senior Resources
  • Senior Resources Region 14 Area Agency on Aging
  • Older Americans Act
  • Older Michiganians Act
  • Kent County Senior Millage
  • City of Detroit Neighborhood Opportunity Grant
  • Other local United Ways through the United Way of Michigan.