Pursuing Quality Long-Term Care

National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
  • 4.8 (28)
  • EDUCATION

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.

  1. Inspections and Illusions: How Some Nursing Homes Game the System

    12/15/2025

    Inspections and Illusions: How Some Nursing Homes Game the System

    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 into resident outcomes. The conversation covers why some citations lead to real improvements while others don’t; how inspection ratings relate to mortality risk; and what policymakers can do to make oversight more effective and less predictable. This episode offers a candid look at the strengths and blind spots of government monitoring, and what it means for the future of elder care. Guests: Yiqun Chen & Marcus Dillender, economists and authors of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) paper “Government Monitoring of Health Care Quality: Evidence from the Nursing Home Sector”

    37 min
  2. What is it like to live in long-term care in 2025? (Part 2 of 2)

    11/24/2025

    What is it like to live in long-term care in 2025? (Part 2 of 2)

    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 results and explore key themes with the residents themselves, who serve on Consumer Voice’s Consumer Advisory Council. They share their thoughts and experiences on what it’s like to live in long-term care in 2025 and offer valuable advice on how they advocate for themselves and others.

    47 min
  3. What is it like to live in long-term care in 2025? (Part 1 of 2)

    10/24/2025

    What is it like to live in long-term care in 2025? (Part 1 of 2)

    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 themselves, who serve on Consumer Voice’s Consumer Advisory Council. They share their thoughts and experiences on what it’s like to live in long-term care in 2025 and offer valuable advice on how they advocate for themselves and others. Guests: Maurice Miller, Ray DiFrancisco, Cindy Jones, Margarite Grootjes, and Jeanette Sullivan-Martinez

    49 min
  4. Documenting Resident Concerns: Tools for Stronger Advocacy in Long-Term Care

    09/12/2025

    Documenting Resident Concerns: Tools for Stronger Advocacy in Long-Term Care

    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 Jocelyn Bogdan of Consumer Voice share practical strategies for gathering information and advocating effectively. This joint project from the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care and the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) offers a clear path to stronger advocacy and better care. Guests: Lori Smetanka, Consumer Voice Executive Director, and Jocelyn Bogdan, Consumer Voice Senior Policy Specialist

    32 min
  5. Advocating for Increased Personal Needs Allowances in Nursing Homes

    08/19/2025

    Advocating for Increased Personal Needs Allowances in Nursing Homes

    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 comfortable. The federal minimum PNA has not been raised since 1987 and remains just $30 a month, less than one dollar a day. While states can set higher amounts, they currently range from $30 to $200 a month, leaving most residents with only $2 to $3 per day for discretionary spending. Join us as we hear from Bill Lamb, a lifelong advocate in North Carolina, along with resident advocates Ray DiFrancesco of New Jersey, and Jeanette Martinez of Connecticut, as they share their experiences raising the PNA in their states and their advice for others working toward the same goal.

    43 min
  6. No Country for Old People: Behind the Documentary

    07/31/2025

    No Country for Old People: Behind the Documentary

    When award-winning filmmaker Susie Singer Carter placed her mother, who was living with dementia, in a five-star nursing home in Los Angeles, she never expected to be dealing with substandard care, inadequate staffing, and chemical restraints. Horrified by what was happening, Susie connected with former federal prosecutor Rick Mountcastle, whose prosecution of Purdue Pharma was featured in the miniseries, Dopesick. Susie and Rick have collaborated on a new documentary, No Country for Old People, to raise awareness about failures in our long-term care system and spur action to promote quality and accountability. On the eve of the release of the documentary, join a conversation with Susie and Rick about what they've learned in this process and what you can do to help change the system. Guests: Guest: Susie Singer Carter, Writer and Director, and Rick Mountcastle, Former Federal Prosecutor

    45 min
  7. The Nursing Home Reform Act: The Foundation for Better Care

    07/09/2025

    The Nursing Home Reform Act: The Foundation for Better Care

    Nearly 40 years ago, after repeated reports, articles, and studies highlighting dismal conditions in nursing homes, Congress passed the comprehensive Nursing Home Reform Act, raising the standard of care and expectations for residents of nursing homes across the country. While we are still advocating for the promise of the law to be experienced by all residents, the importance of implementing the provisions is as necessary today as they were when the law was passed. Listen to our discussion about the passage of the Nursing Home Reform Act, its critical provisions, and what additional advocacy is needed to realize its full promise for all residents. Guest: Toby Edelman, Senior Policy Attorney, Center for Medicare Advocacy

    43 min
  8. The Power of Family Advocacy in Long-Term Care

    05/30/2025

    The Power of Family Advocacy in Long-Term Care

    When a loved one enters long-term care, family members often find themselves stepping into a new and unexpected role: advocate. In this episode, Andrea DuBrow and Heather Tunis share their personal journeys from concerned family members to dedicated advocates for their loved ones in long-term care settings. Join us as we explore the vital role of family councils, the power of effective leadership, and the importance of advocacy in ensuring quality care. We also discuss strategies for building respectful and productive partnerships with staff and management, offering essential tips to help family members navigate the challenges of advocacy with confidence and purpose. Whether you're just beginning your advocacy journey or looking to strengthen your approach, this conversation provides invaluable guidance and information. Guests: Andrea DuBrow, Former Caregiver, Consumer Voice Leadership Council Member, Social Worker, Public Health Educator and Advocate; Heather Tunis, Family Care Manager, Management Consultant/Executive Coach, Long-Term Care Family Advocate

    44 min
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4.8
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    62
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Pursuing Quality Long-Term Care