No Country for Old People: Filmmaking for Change in Nursing Homes with Susie Singer Carter

Celebrate a decade of AlzAuthors with this replay of a film discussion from our first film festival! Marianne Sciucco and the AlzAuthors community gathered to discuss Susie Singer Carter's documentary series No Country for Old People, inspired by her painful but illuminating journey alongside her mother in a five-star Los Angeles nursing facility.

Key Topics

• Behind the Film: Susie shares what drove her to make No Country for Old People, highlighting the persistent systemic crises in long-term care and her struggle to advocate for her mom within a broken system.
• She discusses both personal and policy challenges—from underfunding and understaffing to navigating Medicaid and family caregiver roles.
• Caregiving Realities: Multiple audience members and guests brought their own lived experiences—from those who have placed loved ones in care homes to those doing the daily grind at their side.
• Honest input covers the isolation and exhaustion of caregiving, the guilt and judgments faced, and the varied trajectories and needs of those with dementia.
• Systemic and Cultural Barriers: The episode reveals the complexities behind facility care: understaffing, high turnover, the business model of elder care, and how profit-driven motives can lead to neglect, overmedication, and a lack of dignity for residents.
• Advocacy and Taking Action: Susie announced the ROAR initiative—Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, and Reform for Long Term Care. She stresses the urgent need for grassroots collective action and oversight to drive meaningful change for people living with dementia and their caregivers.

Standout Quotes from Susie Singer Carter

• “Love is super powerful. I think it’s our greatest tool.”
• “Documentaries are not money makers. They are changemakers at best.”
• “We have a broken system... But it’s so important to know what’s out there and what’s really happening.”

Takeaways

• Caregiver stories are unique—what works (or doesn’t) varies case by case.
• The importance of advocacy and family involvement doesn’t end with placement in a facility; sometimes, it increases.
• Systemic reforms are desperately needed, and community effort can move the needle.
• Connection, creativity, and compassion remain vital tools in the caregiving journey.

Next Up

Tune in to the upcoming episode with Frank Silverstein as he discusses his short film, Lousy: Love in the Time of Dementia, and continue engaging with films that capture the real, raw, and sometimes uplifting world of dementia caregiving.

Join the film festival

Resources Mentioned

• Listen & Watch: Find film festival films, replays, and podcast episodes on alzauthors.com
• Listen to Susie's Love Conquers Alz Podcast
• Watch My Mom and the Girl (short film)
• Watch No Country for Old People (docu-series)
• Get Involved with ROAR
• Subscribe to the AlzAuthors newsletter and follow us on social media (@alzauthors on Facebook, Twitter/X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Bluesky).

Learn about the Moderators

Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates

About the Podcast

AlzAuthors is the global community of authors writing about Alzheimer’s and dementia from personal experience to light the way for others. Our podcast introduces you to our authors who share their stories and insights to provide knowledge, comfort, and support. Please subscribe so you don’t miss a word. If our authors’ stories move you, please leave a review. And don’t forget to share our podcast with family and friends on their own dementia journeys.

Ideas and opinions expressed in this podcast belong to the speakers and not AlzAuthors. Always consult your healthcare provider and legal and financial consultants for advice on any of the topics covered here.

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