- The Jan. 28 virtual discussion will cover the state of Michigan’s nursing homes
- Participants in the virtual panel include Paula Cunningham, state director of AARP Michigan, and Alison Hirschel, director and managing attorney of the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative
- Readers will be able to ask questions of the panelists during the discussion on Zoom
Bridge Michigan’s monthly Lunch Break virtual conversation will focus on a recent Bridge investigation that uncovered 5,900 cases of abuse, neglect or care problems at state nursing homes, including nearly three dozen deaths.
The series drew on years of inspection reports documenting neglect, abuse, misery, loneliness, accidents and death. It found Michigan is doing little to meaningfully improve care, while other states are changing laws and policies to better protect residents.
After the series was published, two gubernatorial candidates pledged to improve conditions at Michigan nursing homes, and a lawmaker announced plans for legislation to increase enforcement at homes with persistent problems, including expanded power to hold poor-performing operators accountable.
Against that backdrop, Bridge Michigan’s next Lunch Break virtual panel will explore the state of Michigan nursing homes and what can be done to improve living conditions for their residents.
The event is from noon to 1 p.m. Jan. 28. You can register here.
Panelists include Paula Cunningham, state director of AARP Michigan, and Alison Hirschel, director and managing attorney of the Michigan Elder Justice Initiative.
The panel will be moderated by Bridge senior health reporter Robin Erb and readers will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Please register for the event via Eventbrite to be sent a calendar invitation, including the Zoom link.
RELATED:
- Abuse, neglect common in Michigan nursing homes — and no one is coming to help
- Michigan nursing homes have few staff, little training. Misery can follow
- Michigan leaders, legislators vow to improve nursing homes after Bridge report
Participants can ask questions of the panelists via the Zoom chat feature throughout the event or submit a question prior to the event by filling out this form.
Bridge’s monthly Lunch Break series focuses on timely topics facing our state. Previous events have discussed the ultimate Michigan winter bucket list, Michigan’s education crisis, the collapse of the whitefish population in the lower Great Lakes, Michigan summer tourism, the changing landscape of deer hunting in the state, spending of Michigan’s opioid settlement funds, solutions to gun violence in Michigan, Michigan’s population crisis, youth mental health in Michigan and the legacy of the automotive industry on the state’s environment and economy.
How to join this live Zoom discussion
You will receive details on joining the Zoom discussion after you register with Eventbrite. On the day of the event, we will email you a reminder and link to the Zoom.
To learn more about how to join a Zoom meeting, watch this short video. Zoom is free to use, and you can use the video call function on your computer, tablet or phone, or you can call into the meeting using the conference line function.
Member support allows us to offer engagement opportunities like this Lunch Break series. To regularly receive advance notification of what our nonprofit newsroom is planning and receive member-exclusive benefits — such as free Bridge event tickets, copies of our bimonthly Bridge Culture Club selections and more — become a Bridge Club member today.
We look forward to seeing you on Jan. 28.
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