Home Care, You Say?

Let's face it: home care workers aren't leaving the industry because they fell out of love with patient care—they're drowning in paperwork, budget cuts, and relentless admin tasks. In the latest episode of Home Care You Say, host Mike Sokoloski sits down with former physical therapist and CareStitch COO Shelley Ackerman PT, DPT to crack the code on clinician burnout and retention. Discover how invisible, cutting-edge technology is silently automating admin work, saving agencies time, and giving nurses and therapists their lives back. We’re diving deep into the real math behind Medicare reimbursement lags and exploring why home care is a cornerstone of value-based healthcare. Plus, Shelley shares a deeply personal story about her 97-year-old grandmother that will remind you exactly why we do this critical work every single day. In This Episode, You'll Learn: The Real Root of Clinician Burnout: Discover why great nurses and therapists are actually leaving the field, and learn how agencies can systematically eliminate the administrative friction and constant interruptions pushing them away. Invisible Tech is the Best Tech: Understand how modern technology works quietly in the background to streamline daily workflows. We explore how software automates complex scheduling, and why it actually improves compliance without demanding extra clicks from field staff. The Medicare Reimbursement Reality: Get the real numbers behind why Medicare home health payments have only risen about 5.8% since 2020 while hospital rates jumped into the low 20% margin. You will also see how underfunding home care causes total downstream healthcare costs to explode. Winning at Value-Based Care: Learn why home health is the ultimate cost-effective setting for lowering emergency department visits and hospital readmissions. We discuss how agencies that collaborate and share data will dominate the future of healthcare. How to Be a High-Impact Advocate: Find out why policymakers in Washington need your personal patient stories just as much as hard data. Shelley reveals what members of Congress would really see if they stepped out of the hospital and shadowed a clinician in the home for a day. The Power of Personal Purpose: Listen to Shelley’s touching story of helping her 97-year-old grandmother age in place during the pandemic. Discover how that firsthand family experience fuels her mission to fix fragmented care systems at CareStitch today. 🔗 Resource Links: CareStitch: Learn more about CareStitch, an innovative company focused on solving complex workflow and operational challenges through smart technology. Alliance for Care at Home: Find out more about the upcoming September fly-in to Washington and join the industry-wide collaboration. Hearts for Home Care: Join the advocacy movement and share your personal caregiving stories directly on the platform.   produced by slanted.design

Bliss Pointer returns to demystify Medicaid Waivers. In this episode, Bliss provides a comprehensive guide explaining what waivers are, how these programs differ across States, and how families can navigate the system to get the care their loved ones need.   In this Episode: Understanding how a waiver operates at the state-level. How waivers can affect who receives services, where care is provided, or how providers are paid. A quick overview of the "Big Three" Medicaid waivers and how states might use each one, or in tandem. Avoid common mistakes when applying for waivers, and understanding the difference between an "interest list" and a "waiting list". Bliss sorts through common myths about Medicaid waivers and waiting lists.   Actionable Advice for Families Identify Your Needs: Start by describing your loved one's needs in plain language (e.g., "My older parent needs help bathing and preparing meals to remain safely at home") Ask the Right Questions: When speaking to an agency, ask about eligibility, financial requirements, waitlist status, and whether services are available while you wait. Keep Meticulous Records: Document every phone call, the names of the people you speak with, reference numbers, and copies of medical records to avoid missing important deadline. Resources & Contact Information Need Help? If you have questions about the specific waivers in your state or need help navigating the process, reach out at [email protected] Share Your Story: Have you experienced life on a waitlist or successfully navigated a state waiver? Share a 30-second video of your story at heartsforhomecare.com to help support ongoing advocacy efforts!     produced by slanted.design

Ever wonder what it truly takes to help someone live their most independent life? In today's episode, Mike Sokoloski sits down with Donna Heatherly, Practice President of Behavioral Health and Habilitation at BAYADA Home Health Care, to dive into the transformative world of habilitation services. Donna brings over 30 years of passion to the table, breaking down exactly how these services empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to thrive in their community. It is not just about clinical medical care; it is about teaching life skills, building community, and celebrating unique wins—like learning how to line dance. Whether you are passionate about healthcare advocacy or just love hearing about people making a real difference, this conversation is packed with insight and inspiration.   In This Episode: What habilitation actually means and how it helps individuals build daily skills like prepping meals, communicating needs, and brushing their teeth independently. How the Olmstead Act helped shape the push for independent, community-based living. The story of how Donna's career started in a small cottage, which sparked a lifelong passion for person-centered care. Why technology and AI aren't here to replace human caregivers, but rather to safely bridge the gaps when staff can't be there 24/7. The reality of the current workforce shortage and why advocating for competitive pay and reimbursement rates is critical for hiring passionate professionals. Heartwarming success stories that show the deeply personal nature of habilitation outcomes. Resource Links: Learn more about grassroots advocacy at Hearts for Home Care: heartsforhomecare.com. If you loved this conversation, please leave us a review and share it with a friend or colleague. Your support helps us spread the word and make a real difference in the community!     produced by slanted.design

Finding details and getting answers on aging at home can be tedious and difficult but it absolutely doesn't have to be! In this special panel episode of Home Care You Say, host Mike Sokoloski, sits down with industry experts and retirees who ask unfiltered questions about aging in place and receiving care at home. Joined by industry experts Danyelle Guzzy RN, BSN (Director of Nursing at Traditional Home Health Care) and Sara McDonald MSW (Director of the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging), we are slicing through the confusion to give you straight answers. Whether you are planning for your own future or actively caring for a loved one, this episode is packed with the real talk you need to stay empowered and independent.   In This Episode: - Know the services: Understand the difference between Home Care, Home Health and Hospice Care. - Insurance Reality Check: What Medicare actually covers, and how the Area Agency on Aging can help fund personal care through Medicaid waivers or sliding scale cost-sharing. - Hospice Misconceptions: Why end-of-life care is a robust team effort—featuring social workers, chaplains, and even pet therapy dogs like Baxter—rather than just a single nurse focusing on a singular patient. - The Independence Myth: How accepting home care services actually prolongs your ability to live safely in your community, rather than taking your independence away. Resource Links: Learn More & Get Involved: Visit heartsforhomecare.com Contact the Show: Email your questions to [email protected] Episode Sponsor: A huge thank you to Colarusso's Coal Fire Restaurant, Dickson City for letting us record this week     produced by slanted.design

Bliss Brown returns with a new episode of the Home Care You Say Updates podcast. Ever find yourself nodding along when someone mentions "home care" or "home health," secretly wondering if they mean the exact same thing? You are not alone! In the second episode of our educational series, we are tearing down the confusing healthcare jargon to help you become an advocacy powerhouse. Whether you are getting ready to speak to a legislator or just trying to understand the system, this episode breaks down everything you need to know about Home Care, Home Health, and Hospice.    In This Episode, You'll Learn: Home Care Basics: We compare all three side-by-side and talk about whether they generally fall under Medicare or Medicaid. Busting Hospice Myths: A common misconception is that entering hospice means "giving up". In reality, hospice is specialized care for those facing a terminal illness, with a focus on maximizing comfort, dignity, and quality of life for both the patient and their entire family.  

Want to level up your advocacy game but feel intimidated by the political scene? We've all been there—but it's time to learn just how easy these meetings can be and what you should expect before heading in. Mike is back on the mic today to bust the ultimate myth: the idea that your elected officials are too booked up to listen to what you have to say. In reality, state and federal officials often enjoy connecting with their constituents because they need to know what matters most to the voters in their districts. You are the true expert in the room, and your unique experiences hold the power to drive real, lasting change.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: - Why you are the true experts in the room. - How to easily track down your specific representatives using a simple online search tool. - The crucial differences between state advocacy (Medicaid reimbursed home care) and federal advocacy (Home Health and Hospice). - The absolute best methods to reach out and schedule a quick 15 to 20-minute meeting with an elected official.   Resource Links: - Request a meeting with your local lawmakers: heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/campaign/request-visit/ - Submit your personal video story if you can't make a face-to-face meeting: heartsforhomecare.com/share-story - Use the "Find Your Lawmaker" tool: heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/officials/ - Reach out for extra support and advocacy strategy by emailing [email protected].  

In this episode, host Michael Sokoloski sits down with Maggie DiPasquale, the Area Director of Government Affairs for Hearts for Home Care and Bayada Home Health Care. Maggie breaks down the complex, sometimes frustrating world of Medicare policy and explains why home care providers are facing an uphill battle against continuous reimbursement cuts.   In This Episode, You'll Learn: - The Policy vs. Access Gap: How viewing healthcare cuts through a "spending lens" instead of an "access lens" hurts real patients. - The Compounding Effect: Why year-over-year payment reductions create massive challenges for recruiting and retaining a fragile workforce. - The Power of the Human Story: Why home visits are the ultimate advocacy tool to change lawmakers' minds. - How to Take Action: The simplest way for new advocates to share their stories and secure their seat at the policy table. Share Your Story: Hearts for Home Care Website Learn More: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac)     produced by slanted.design

Happy May advocates! Advocacy season is officially in full swing, and host Bliss Brown returns for a quick classroom session. In this episode, we are clearing up the ultimate healthcare confusion once and for all: what is the actual difference between Medicare and Medicaid, and how does it impact the future of home care? In This Episode, You'll Learn The Alphabet Soup of Care: A simple breakdown of Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D—and which one you'll hear about most in home health. The Long-Term Lifeline: How Medicaid acts as the primary payer for long-term, home-based services across America. The Power of Both: What it means to be "dual-eligible" and how these two massive programs work together for patients. Why It Matters Right Now: How federal funding decisions directly impact state budgets and the home care services your family and community may rely on.  

We sit down with Laura Brigandi, senior manager of advocacy practice for the Public Affairs Council, to pull back the curtain on what actually moves the needle with decision-makers. We discuss the importance of personalization in messaging and building relationships that are beneficial, not transactional. Laura delivers the blueprint for influence that sticks. If you’re ready to stop just "raising awareness" and start driving real policy change, this conversation is your new secret weapon🔥 In This Episode, You’ll Learn 💡 Why credibility, relevance, and human consequence are the non-negotiables for any successful campaign. How to move past generic "action alerts" and use your authentic story to cut through the noise of AI-generated messages. Why "knowing an issue exists" isn't enough—and how to target the right people to actually change a decision. How resource-constrained organizations can build a powerhouse advocacy practice without a massive staff or budget. The critical importance of the "follow-up" and why advocacy is a relationship discipline, not a one-time event. Resource Links 🔗 Guest Info: Connect with Laura Brigandi at the Public Affairs Council. Event Alert: Don't miss the upcoming Public Affairs Council Advocacy Conference. Become an advocate at H4HC   produced by slanted.design

Get ready to feel inspired! In this episode, we’re joined by the ultimate power duo from the New Jersey State Legislature: Assemblywoman Carol Murphy and Assemblywoman Aura Dunn. Despite being on different sides of the aisle, these two are proof that passion for the home care community transcends politics. They dive deep into the formation of New Jersey's first-of-its-kind Bipartisan Home Care Caucus and share heart-to-heart stories about how visiting families in their homes changed their entire legislative perspective. It’s a masterclass in advocacy, empathy, and getting things done for the "Silver Tsunami" heading our way.   Are you a home care advocate in the tristate area? Learn more about our New Jersey Home Care Rally happening in May and RSVP today! https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/event/33183/ In This Episode, You’ll Learn: The Power of Proximity: Why seeing home care in action is 100x more impactful than reading a budget report. Small Wins, Big Impact: The "behind the scenes" saga of the Parking Plaque Bill and why persistent advocacy matters for home health aides. The Workforce Crisis: A candid look at why raising the minimum wage isn't a "one-size-fits-all" fix for the dedicated DSPs and LPNs in the field. Cutting the Red Tape: What the new administration can do to simplify the permitting and hospitalization transfer process for families. The Future of Advocacy: How to be your own "Nudger in Chief" and effectively reach out to your local representatives.   Loved this episode? Don't let the conversation stop here! Subscribe to our channel, leave a review on your favorite podcast platform, and head over to our website to see how you can join our grassroots advocacy efforts today! Let’s keep nudging for change together!       produced by slanted.design