http://nblo.gs/Y6PnS
One of the issues that we have with The Conversation Project is that the online materials suggest that a nursing facility is the only alternative to being “independent”. (The notion seems to be to ask, “If you had to go to a nursing facility, wouldn’t you rather have an advance directive that declines life-sustaining treatment?”)
It’s very disturbing that they don’t seem to have heard about Olmstead and home and community based services. Why don’t they ask, “If you could get long term services and supports (LTSS) to stay in your own home, would you choose to live with a disability?” (You can read more about our issues with The Conversation Project in our recent blog about our comment letter to New York’s Dept. of Health.)
Admittedly, it’s a long haul. ADAPT has been working the LTSS issue for 24 years. Every state had some type of Olmstead activity by now, but no state gives everyone the choice to receive long term care services at home, so we have more work to do. Here’s a press release about the next step, led by ADAPT and Senator Tom Harkin.