Guest: Susie Singer Carter

Episode Overview

Long-term care is a topic most families avoid—until they have no choice. In this eye-opening episode, filmmaker and advocate Susie Singer Carter shares how her mother's experience in a five-star nursing facility exposed widespread failures within the long-term care system. She discusses understaffing, preventable neglect, patient advocacy, and why public awareness is essential to reform. Through her documentary No Country for Old People and advocacy organization ROAR 4 LTC, Susie is mobilizing families across America to demand accountability and dignity for aging loved ones.

Key Takeaways

• Many long-term care problems stem from chronic understaffing and profit-driven business models.
• Families should educate themselves before a loved one requires care because crises make informed decisions harder.
• Preventable issues like pressure sores and medication misuse remain widespread despite existing regulations.
• Storytelling and public awareness can drive meaningful healthcare reform.
• Collective action—including advocacy events and community organizing—can create pressure for systemic change.

Listener Q&A

Q: Why do problems happen even in highly rated nursing homes?

A: Susie explains that ratings don't always reflect day-to-day care. Understaffing and operational issues can exist even in top-rated facilities, making family vigilance essential.

Q: What are "never events" in long-term care?

A: Pressure sores, also called bed sores, are considered preventable by federal guidelines and should not occur when patients receive proper care and monitoring.

Q: How can families advocate for change?

A: Susie believes public pressure is the most powerful force. She encourages people to educate themselves, share stories, and participate in advocacy initiatives.

Q: What kept Susie motivated after losing her mother?

A: Love. She says her mother's suffering inspired her mission to ensure others don't endure the same experience and to advocate with empathy and compassion.

What You'll Learn From This Episode

• How the long-term care system operates behind the scenes.
• Warning signs families should watch for in nursing homes.
• Why preparation is critical before a care crisis occurs.
• How advocacy movements create healthcare reform.
• The role love, empathy, and community play in caregiving and change.

Connect with Susie Singer Carter:

• ROAR 4 LTC
• No Country for Old People Website
• No Country For Old People - Amazon Prime
• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Substack
• Love Conquers Alz Podcast

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