Elma Holder
Elma Holder | |
|---|---|
| Education | |
| Occupation | Elder rights activist |
| Awards | Heinz Award (2006) |
Elma Holder is an American elder rights activist and co-founder of the National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, serving as executive director from 1975 through 2002. She is best known for driving multiple reforms to nursing homes into the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987.
Early life and education
[edit]Holder graduated with a degree in sociology from Oklahoma's Central State College.[1] She later earned her Master of Science in Public Health from the University of Oklahoma.[1]
Career
[edit]Holder's first job was with the Oklahoma State Department of Health as a gerontology consultant.[1] Holder was influenced by surveys of nursing homes and put together a series of recommendations to help improve resident's living conditions.[2] Feeling "disillusioned", Holder moved to Washington, D.C. to work for the National Council on Aging.[2] She worked with both Ralph Nader and Maggie Kuhn, the founder of the Gray Panthers.[3]
In 1975, Holder co-founded the National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR).[4] Holder started as the organization's first executive director and served in this position until 2002.[5] Under her leadership, the organization has been credited with seeking elderly care reform and improvements to the quality of life for those in long-term care.[6] In 1977, she co-authored the book Nursing Homes: A Citizens' Action Guide – How to Organize, Plan and Achieve Nursing Home Reform in Your Community.[7]
Through the actions of NCCNHR, Holder was able to drive multiple reforms into the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987.[6] This included both a "bill of rights" for nursing home residents[5] as well improvements to federal enforcement of nursing home regulations.[8] Holder has campaigned and advocated to reduce the use of physical restraints as a method to control mentally confused residents and elderly patients.[5] In response to Republican efforts to repeal the Nursing Home Reform Act in the early 1990s, Holder stated that it would be "a return to the Dark Ages in nursing homes".[9]
Awards and honors
[edit]- In 1997, Holder received the Esther Peterson Advocacy Award from the Consumer Federation of America[10]
- In 1999, Holder received the Gustav O. Lienhard Award for Advancement of Health Care from the Institute of Medicine[11]
- In 2006, Holder was the recipient of the Heinz Awards Chairman's Medal for her lifetime work in service of the elderly[12]
Works
[edit]- Nursing Homes: A Citizens' Action Guide – How to Organize, Plan and Achieve Nursing Home Reform in Your Community (1977)[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Stephenson, Malvina (December 8, 1985). "Oklahoma's Crusader for Nursing Home Change". Tulsa World. Retrieved June 28, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Ingham, Richard (January 12, 2004). "National senior care advocate back in state". The Oklahoman. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ Lindeman, Brad (November 9, 2000). "Elma Holder's legacy to us all". The Record. Retrieved June 28, 2025 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ La Gorce, Tammy (November 27, 2020). "'Mr. Downstairs' Had the Key to Her Heart". The New York Times. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ a b c O'Connor, John (February 10, 2020). "McKnight's 40 for 40: Elma Holder". McKnightSeniorLiving.com. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ a b "Elma Holder". HeinzAwards.org. 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ a b "Six innovators win Heinz Awards". NBCNews.com. September 25, 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ Braithwaite, John; Makkai, Toni; Braithwaite, Valerie A. (2007). Regulating Aged Care: Ritualism and the New Pyramid. Edward Elgar Publishing. pp. 33–34. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ Stolberg, Sheryl (September 30, 1995). "GOP Plan Opens Door to Nursing Home Controversy : Care: Proposal to turn oversight over to states draws fire. Alabama woman's story shows patients' vulnerability". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 26, 2022. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
- ^ "Nursing Home Reforms: Twenty Years after OBRA '87" (PDF). AllHealthPolicy.org. December 7, 2007. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ "Past Recipients of the Gustav O. Lienhard Award for Advancement of Health Care". National Academy of Medicine. October 3, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
- ^ "Science, health pioneers win $250,000 Heinz awards". USA Today. September 25, 2006. Retrieved June 28, 2025.