A Question of Care

Robert Espinoza
  • 5.0 (13)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

How did one of the wealthiest countries in the world get to a point where it can’t support more than 54 million older adults and twice as many in a few decades? A Question of Care™ explores the many answers to this question with expert insights into our caregiving system and how to solve the growing crisis in care. This podcast is hosted by Robert Espinoza, a national expert and frequent speaker on aging, long-term care, and the workforce. Learn more at https://www.aquestionofcare.us/.

  1. 08/03/2025

    How Are Home Care Businesses Evolving for Workers?

    Home care agencies are vital in the care economy, providing essential services, employing workers, and informing government policies and industry practices. However, many operate on tight margins, and face intensified scrutiny as home care jobs remain low-quality nationwide. In this episode, host Robert Espinoza talks to Kevin Smith, CEO of Best in Care, Inc. They discuss how home care agencies should operate in today’s environment, what it means to provide good jobs, and how to optimize government and businesses to improve home care.  This podcast was produced in partnership with MODRY MEDIA.

    29 min

  2. 07/20/2025

    Who Are the Care Workers in Hospice and Palliative Care?

    Direct care workers employed in palliative and hospice care play a critical role in supporting individuals with serious illnesses—a sensitive and crucial stage in life. Yet the general lack of good jobs in direct care means that workers don’t stay in this job sector for long. In this episode, host Robert Espinoza talks to Brynn Bowman, CEO of the Center to Advance Palliative Care, about the workforce needs in palliative and hospice care, why good jobs will improve this care, and how government and industry leaders should intervene. This podcast was produced in partnership with MODRY MEDIA.

    25 min

  3. 07/06/2025

    Why Aren't More People Using Consumer Direction?

    Not enough people know about consumer direction, a policy approach allowing Medicaid recipients to pay family members to provide them with in-home care. Consumer-directed beneficiaries, or "independent providers," are growing in numbers, but not quickly enough. In this episode, host Robert Espinoza speaks with Corrine Eldridge, President and CEO of the Center for Caregiver Advancement. They discuss what consumer direction offers, why independent providers need more government attention, and how to boost this aspect of long-term care.  This podcast was produced in partnership with MODRY MEDIA.

    22 min

  4. 06/22/2025

    Why Are Nursing Assistant Jobs Overlooked?

    Nursing assistants are the eyes and ears of nursing homes, where many people receive 24-hour skilled care when they can no longer support themselves. As the COVID-19 pandemic tragically reinforced, our society has neglected nursing homes and nursing assistants for decades.  In this episode, host Robert Espinoza speaks with Dr. Kezia Scales, Vice President of Research and Evaluation at PHI. They discuss nursing assistants' responsibilities and pressures, how quality care and jobs are linked, and transformative solutions.  This podcast was produced in partnership with MODRY MEDIA.

    26 min

  5. 06/08/2025

    Who Supports People with Developmental Disabilities?

    Direct support professionals are vital to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), as well as their families. While these workers provide critical support, our country has a long way to go in ensuring they are respected and fully recognized. In this episode, host Robert Espinoza speaks with Joseph Macbeth, CEO and President of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, about the purpose of direct support professionals, how to strengthen these jobs, and where government should focus its efforts.  This podcast was produced in partnership with MODRY MEDIA.

    23 min

  6. 05/25/2025

    What Future Can We Imagine for Home Care Workers?

    Home care workers are a lifeline to millions of older adults and people with disabilities, ensuring they live safely in their homes. However, these workers struggle in substandard jobs, often exiting this field frustrated in search of better jobs and leaving critical jobs unfilled. In this episode, host Robert Espinoza speaks with Helen Adeosun, CEO and Founder of CareAcademy. They discuss the needs of home care workers, how businesses can support this workforce to succeed on the job and beyond, and how to imagine a better future.  This podcast was produced in partnership with MODRY MEDIA.

    23 min

  7. 05/11/2025

    How Should Society Invest in Childcare Workers?

    To stay emotionally and financially afloat, many parents rely on childcare workers. Unfortunately, most working families cannot cover the high costs of childcare. And because this workforce is undervalued, the chances of finding an affordable childcare worker are slim.  In this episode, host Robert Espinoza talks to Julie Kashen, Director of Women's Economic Justice and a Senior Fellow at The Century Foundation. They discuss the landscape of childcare workers, where policy has failed them, and how our society should invest in these workers.  This podcast was produced in partnership with MODRY MEDIA.

    26 min

  8. 04/27/2025

    What If Our Country’s Care Workforce Vanished Overnight?

    Direct care and childcare workers are the backbone of support for millions of older adults, people with disabilities, and young children, as well as their families. Despite their vital contributions, these essential workers are often undervalued, leading to unsustainable turnover rates. Without prompt intervention, the current challenges in care could quickly spiral into a major crisis. In this episode, host Robert Espinoza speaks with Josephine Kalipeni, a longtime advocate for care workers and a leader in advocacy related to care, the workforce, and families. They discuss the centrality of care workers to our economy, why these jobs suffer in quality, and how to make a profound difference for care workers and those they support.  This podcast was produced in partnership with MODRY MEDIA.

    27 min
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About

How did one of the wealthiest countries in the world get to a point where it can’t support more than 54 million older adults and twice as many in a few decades? A Question of Care™ explores the many answers to this question with expert insights into our caregiving system and how to solve the growing crisis in care. This podcast is hosted by Robert Espinoza, a national expert and frequent speaker on aging, long-term care, and the workforce. Learn more at https://www.aquestionofcare.us/.

Information

  • Creator
    Robert Espinoza
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    A Question of Care