Podcast
The Care Ratings Podcast
Your dad fell again. Your mom's memory is slipping. And suddenly you're the one who has to figure out what comes next. The Care Ratings Podcast is for the sons and daughters making the hardest calls of their adult lives: Is this nursing home actually safe? What does a five-star rating really tell you? What happens when the money runs out? Hosts Sara Chan and Marcus Webb talk through one real question every episode in about the time it takes to drive to work—so when you walk into the family meeting or the facility tour, you know exactly what to ask. Every episode pairs with a full article at thecareratings.com when you want to go deeper.
All Episodes
15 episodesPaid Family Caregiving Programs by State | Care Ratings
A state-by-state breakdown of how much family members can earn through Medicaid-funded caregiving programs, eligibility requirements, and tax treatment.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice: Definitions & Coverage
Palliative care and hospice both ease suffering, but timing, treatment intensity, and eligibility differ—here's what families need to know.
Best States to Retire 2026: Cost & Healthcare
State-by-state rankings of retirement affordability, healthcare access, and long-term care availability for 2026.
Talk to Aging Parents About Retirement & Care
A step-by-step guide to initiating honest conversations with your parent about retirement, finances, and long-term care preferences.
Medicare Dental Coverage for Seniors: What's Covered
Original Medicare doesn't cover routine dental care—but Medicare Advantage plans and state Medicaid programs offer alternatives.
Managing Aging Parent Medications: Caregiver Checklist
A step-by-step checklist to help you organize your parent's medications, coordinate medical appointments, and prevent costly errors.
In-Home vs. Nursing Home Care: Differences
Understand the real differences between in-home and nursing home care—coverage, costs, staffing levels, and how to choose.
Assisted Living vs. Independent Living
Assisted living provides daily support; independent living offers autonomy with community amenities. Here's how to choose.
6 Nursing Home Tour Questions
Six specific questions to ask during a nursing home tour, with guidance on how to verify answers against CMS public data.
Review Nursing Home Infection Control
Use CMS inspection data, deficiency reports, and direct questions to assess a nursing home's infection control practices before admission.
Post-Acute Care After Surgery
Three paths forward after surgery—and what the data shows about readmission rates, costs, and outcomes for each.
Nursing Home Violations Explained
CMS violation categories range from paperwork gaps to threats to resident safety—here's what each level means and how to interpret them.
