At the Table or On the Menu?

Demystifying Care at Home: Your Questions Answered

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 [https://www.heartsforhomecare.com] Contact the Show: Email your questions to advocacy@heartsforhomecare.com Episode Sponsor: A huge thank you to Colarusso's Coal Fire Restaurant, Dickson City for letting us record this week     produced by slanted.design [https://www.slanted.design/]

Updates with Bliss: Home Care, Home Health or Hospice?

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.

How to Advocate for Home Care with Your Local and Federal Legislators

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/ [https://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 [https://www.heartsforhomecare.com/share-story] - Use the "Find Your Lawmaker" tool: heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/officials/ [https://heartsforhomecare.quorum.us/officials/] - Reach out for extra support and advocacy strategy by emailing advocacy@heartsforhomecare.com.

At the Table or On the Menu?

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 [http://heartsforhomecare.com] * Learn More: Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPac) [https://www.medpac.gov]     produced by slanted.design [https://www.slanted.design/]

Updates with Bliss: Decode the Care: Medicare vs. Medicaid

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.