Official Site of The State of New Jersey

June 2025

2025 Resident’s Voice Challenge

Everyone has a story to tell, and if you share yours with the Consumer Voice this month, it may end up being memorialized in a book.

Consumer Voice is gathering stories for the 2025 Resident’s Voice Challenge, which is a highlight of Residents’ Rights Month every October. This year, the Consumer Voice plans to mark its 50th anniversary by creating a coffee table book of residents’ writings and artworks.

What You Can Do. For the coffee table book, Consumer Voice is seeking posters, paintings or drawings and essays or poems of 50 words or less that illustrate the theme Stand with Me. The theme can be read as an appeal to your fellow residents, calling out the importance of solidarity, or an invitation for the wider community to stand with you.

You may also submit audio and video recordings, long-form essays, or photos that can be featured on the Consumer Voice website, emails, and social media.

Need inspiration? Consider these questions:

• What makes you feel empowered?
• Why is it important to stand up for your rights? For quality care?
• What contributes to a better quality of life for you?
• What is needed for quality care?
• How can others — family, friends, community members — support quality care and a better quality of life in long-term care?

Time is Short! The deadline is Monday, June 30. Learn more about how to participate and submit materials.

Residents’ Rights Corner

The PNA is YOUR Money

Did you know? Your long-term care facility is not allowed to tap into your PNA funds to cover outstanding balances for the cost of care.

The LTCO has received reports of this happening, so we wanted to remind you that state regulations explicitly say the PNA is not intended to be used that way.

If you believe your rights have been violated, please contact our office at 877-582-6995.

LEND YOUR VOICE! FEDERAL AND STATE OUTREACH NEEDED

The NJ Nursing Home Residents United group is leading efforts to speak out against proposed cuts to Medicaid that are being considered in Congress.

If you would like to get involved, call 866-426-2631, give your ZIP code, and you will be connected to your Representative. Tell them: Hands off Medicaid!

On the state level, residents continue pressing to increase the personal needs allowance (PNA). If you would like to get involved in that effort, please contact LTCO’s Community Engagement Program at 609-690-4740 or community@ltco.nj.gov.