Long-term care is or will be a fact of life for many of us and our loved ones as we age. We all deserve care – whether in the home or in a long-term care facility – that meets the highest of standards, enhancing quality of life and ensuring the protection of rights. Join us as we talk with national experts and advocates about strategies you can use in the pursuit of quality long-term care.
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Long‑term care residents and their families are often caught off guard when a facility suggests a loved one “needs a guardian.” Guardianship is a court‑ordered process that changes a person’s ability to control their own daily life. In this episode, we are joined in by Elder Law Attorney, Alison Hirschel, to explore why guardianship should never be treated as routine, what it truly means when a…
The Upper Payment Limit (UPL) program was established to support city and county-operated nursing homes by providing enhanced Medicaid payments for nursing home residents residing in those homes. Although the program was created with good intentions, over time concerns have arisen that some cities, counties, and states exploit loopholes to redirect these enhanced payments, originally intended for…
Good food is something we all look forward to, something that tastes good, nourishes us, connects us to culture and community, and that we enjoy sharing with friends and family. That doesn’t change when someone moves into a long term care facility. In fact, food often matters more to people living in long-term care. At its best, food supports nutrition and health, triggers positive memories, and…
When the Biden Administration announced its intent to implement a minimum staffing standard, the nursing home industry immediately responded with cries that a standard would result in closures, loss of money to nursing homes, and that the standards could not be met. These arguments, although unsupported by evidence, were effective and resulted in the current administration rescinding the staffing…
This episode explores the Essential Caregivers Act of 2025 and the lessons learned from the COVID 19 visitation bans in long term care. Our discussion examines how isolation harms residents, why essential caregivers are irreplaceable, and how this legislation aims to protect resident rights during future emergencies. It’s a conversation about dignity, safety, and ensuring that no one in long term…
In this episode, Yiqun Chen and Marcus Dillender join us to discuss their revealing study on how nursing homes respond to government inspections. They explain how facilities often make short-term changes—like boosting staff and discharging patients—just to look better during inspections, only to revert immediately afterward. Despite this gaming, inspection ratings still offer meaningful insights…
Join us for part two of a conversation with long-term care residents. In spring 2025, Consumer Voice conducted a nationwide survey of residents to learn what daily life is like in their facilities. The questions ranged from whether residents feel they are treated with dignity and respect to how appealing their meals are, and everything in between. In part two of this podcast, we discuss the survey…
In spring 2025, Consumer Voice conducted a nationwide survey of long-term care residents to learn what daily life is like in their facilities. The questions ranged from whether residents feel they are treated with dignity and respect to how appealing their meals are, and everything in between. In this two-part podcast, we discuss the survey results and explore key themes with the residents…
When something goes wrong in long-term care, do you know what to do? In this episode, we introduce Documenting Resident Concerns in Long-Term Care, a new resource created to help residents and families respond with confidence. From falls and pressure injuries to conflicts with staff, knowing what questions to ask and what details to document can be the key to real solutions. Lori Smetanka and…
In this episode, we're joined by three advocates who have worked to raise the personal needs allowance (PNA) and improve the quality of life for nursing home residents in their states. The PNA is a small portion of income that Medicaid nursing home residents can keep each month to cover personal expenses such as clothing, snacks, cell phone bills, and other essentials that make life more…
