Roanoke Chapter

The Roanoke Chapter of TLC 4 Long Term Care Residents (TLC4LTCR) was founded in August 2001 when a group of citizens expressed their concerns about the quality of care of residents of nursing homes were receiving in Southwestern Virginia. To suggest that their energy level was high would be a colossal understatement. The "Roanokers", resolute in their desire to get started immediately, visited nearby legislators, contacted state officials, and developed organizational guidelines.

The Roanoke Chapter meets every other month on the third Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. at the Blue Ridge Independent Living Center Conference Room (1502B Williamson Road, N.E., Roanoke, VA 24102) The monthly group meetings have included both educational programs and time for folks to share stories of nursing home experiences. Program topics presented included:

Local Ombudsman's presentation on her duties and responsibilities

Long Term Care Insurance

Olmstead Act

Local Legislators re Nursing Home Issues

What Nursing Homes May Not Tell You

Hospice in Long Term Care

Nursing Home Litigator re Legal Issues

Area Police Chief's discussing investigations of nursing home abuse

Some of the many activities of the Roanoke chapter:

Met with a Roanoke Times medical reporter

Publicized events in newspapers, and on radio and TV

Supported the Episcopal Diocese of SW Virginia's endorsement of the minimum staffing ratio legislation.

Presented informational programs to two area nursing home Family Council groups.

Developed a brochure which includes pictures and dedication to members' mothers who had been nursing home residents.

Organized a TLC4LTCR team that participated in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk The team raised $1273.

Worked with and continue to reach out to other organizations.

Continually seek ways to increase membership and to make our voices heard by our legislators.