This week, Susan Ryan sits down with Lori Smetanka, executive director of the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care, the leading national nonprofit advocacy organization representing consumers receiving long-term care in nursing homes, assisted living communities, and home and community-based settings.

Lori's passion and expertise have served her and the mission of Consumer Voice well. In this episode, she provides the history of nursing home reform and the formation of her organization. This rich history offers insights into the high value of collaborative partnerships and the critical importance of having the resident and family voices represented in the creation of policies.

Lori also dives into the devastation that COVID has left in long-term care communities across the country and how it has highlighted and the numerous challenges that have long existed, including the exacerbation of loneliness and social isolation.

Find more about the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care here: https://theconsumervoice.org/

Connect with Lori Smetanka here on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lori-owen-smetanka-0184664