Jen Olsen, DrPH
@caradigm-shift.bsky.social
Epidemiologist dedicated to solving big challenges in #publichealth. Lover of sparkles, spicy foods & spin classes. Ideas on structurally shifting the way we approach caring for one another especially family #caregivers https://caradigmshift.substack.com/
If you only read 1 series about #healthcare in America right now, read this 5-parter by @gingerthompson.bsky.social.
It's incredibly thorough & haunting & sadly aligns with the stories I heard from neighbors who were stuck seeking care from this system during my 6 years in SW Georgia. #ruralreality
It's incredibly thorough & haunting & sadly aligns with the stories I heard from neighbors who were stuck seeking care from this system during my 6 years in SW Georgia. #ruralreality
Welcome to Albany, Georgia, where one hospital dominates the political and economic landscape.
The story of Phoebe Putney Memorial is the story of American health care.
By @gingerthompson.bsky.social, with research by Doris Burke
The story of Phoebe Putney Memorial is the story of American health care.
By @gingerthompson.bsky.social, with research by Doris Burke
Sick in a Hospital Town: As Phoebe Memorial Grew, the Health of Albany, Georgia, Declined
The five-part series, “Sick in a Hospital Town,” pursues one question: Why are people in Albany so sick when its most powerful institution is a hospital?
projects.propublica.org
December 11, 2025 at 4:30 PM
If you only read 1 series about #healthcare in America right now, read this 5-parter by @gingerthompson.bsky.social.
It's incredibly thorough & haunting & sadly aligns with the stories I heard from neighbors who were stuck seeking care from this system during my 6 years in SW Georgia. #ruralreality
It's incredibly thorough & haunting & sadly aligns with the stories I heard from neighbors who were stuck seeking care from this system during my 6 years in SW Georgia. #ruralreality
Started a new approach this #GivingTuesday by donating blood to @americanredcross.bsky.social, making donations to local thrift shops, and volunteering. A reminder that the day doesn't have to be about money to make a difference.
December 3, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Started a new approach this #GivingTuesday by donating blood to @americanredcross.bsky.social, making donations to local thrift shops, and volunteering. A reminder that the day doesn't have to be about money to make a difference.
If you (or your parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends, partners) find any of this #Medicare Open Enrollment stuff confusing, or just want to ask some questions to non-biased, certified, no-cost counselors, check out your local State Health Insurance Program www.shiphelp.org
October 15, 2025 at 9:05 PM
If you (or your parents, grandparents, neighbors, friends, partners) find any of this #Medicare Open Enrollment stuff confusing, or just want to ask some questions to non-biased, certified, no-cost counselors, check out your local State Health Insurance Program www.shiphelp.org
So excited to see this work featured by @dukemedschool.bsky.social (even though it pains me as a #tarheel). Centering #familycaregivers instead of keeping them as the "+1" to the patient is necessary for thinking about future programs, policies, and practice.
Family caregivers can face immense strain, often without support.
New Duke research highlights the need for caregiver-centered approaches and shows that combining family and formal care leads to better outcomes for care recipients.
medschool.duke.edu/news/reimagi...
#Caregivers #AcademicSky
New Duke research highlights the need for caregiver-centered approaches and shows that combining family and formal care leads to better outcomes for care recipients.
medschool.duke.edu/news/reimagi...
#Caregivers #AcademicSky
Reimagining Support for Family Caregivers and Their Loved Ones
Family caregivers face an immense burden. Duke population health researchers are gathering evidence to show what type of care leads to the best physical and mental health for the care recipients, and ...
medschool.duke.edu
August 14, 2025 at 1:24 PM
So excited to see this work featured by @dukemedschool.bsky.social (even though it pains me as a #tarheel). Centering #familycaregivers instead of keeping them as the "+1" to the patient is necessary for thinking about future programs, policies, and practice.
Sharing in hopes that some #caregiving #aging #epidemiology #publichealth researchers apply. Good luck ☘️
www.researchireland.ie/funding/glob...
#researchfunding #sciencefunding
www.researchireland.ie/funding/glob...
#researchfunding #sciencefunding
Global Talent Ireland - Research Ireland
Global Talent Ireland aims to attract exceptional mid-career and established researchers from across the globe to Ireland. Researchers funded through this programme are required to transfer their rese...
www.researchireland.ie
August 13, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Sharing in hopes that some #caregiving #aging #epidemiology #publichealth researchers apply. Good luck ☘️
www.researchireland.ie/funding/glob...
#researchfunding #sciencefunding
www.researchireland.ie/funding/glob...
#researchfunding #sciencefunding
Reposted by Jen Olsen, DrPH
Whoever had us playing Oregon Trail, whoever instituted that for public schools, was probably a time traveler. They saw RFK and all this shit, knew it couldn’t be stopped, and said, “well, they’re gonna need this.”
August 9, 2025 at 1:28 AM
Whoever had us playing Oregon Trail, whoever instituted that for public schools, was probably a time traveler. They saw RFK and all this shit, knew it couldn’t be stopped, and said, “well, they’re gonna need this.”
Some novel ways to use #designthinking for your #caregiving challenges by Ayse Birsel: www.linkedin.com/pulse/design...
DESIGNING CARE: WHEN IT'S TIME TO REDESIGN YOUR PARENTS' LIFE
There may come a time when you need to redesign your parents' life. I know—it's a hard reversal.
www.linkedin.com
August 6, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Some novel ways to use #designthinking for your #caregiving challenges by Ayse Birsel: www.linkedin.com/pulse/design...
Yesterday, on the 60th anniversary of #Medicare + #Medicaid, CMS sent out an email creating false hope for many #caregivers with subject line "Did you know Medicare covers caregiver training?" Cue an image of a jumbo check & balloons showing up at your door
open.substack.com/pub/caradigm...
open.substack.com/pub/caradigm...
July 31, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Yesterday, on the 60th anniversary of #Medicare + #Medicaid, CMS sent out an email creating false hope for many #caregivers with subject line "Did you know Medicare covers caregiver training?" Cue an image of a jumbo check & balloons showing up at your door
open.substack.com/pub/caradigm...
open.substack.com/pub/caradigm...
This @medicaleconomics.bsky.social interview with Clifton Truman Daniel (grandson of President Truman) #Medicare & #Medicaid origin story is a valuable read as we mark the 60th anniversary of President Johnson signing the legislation www.medicaleconomics.com/view/medicar...
Medicare at 60: President Johnson’s signature brought life to President Truman’s vision
The two presidents were friends who agreed on the need for ‘a healthier, stronger country.’
www.medicaleconomics.com
July 31, 2025 at 7:26 PM
This @medicaleconomics.bsky.social interview with Clifton Truman Daniel (grandson of President Truman) #Medicare & #Medicaid origin story is a valuable read as we mark the 60th anniversary of President Johnson signing the legislation www.medicaleconomics.com/view/medicar...
This great primer on OAA from @ncoaging.bsky.social made me think about all the ways this key legislation is like the bevels on a diamond ring
caradigmshift.substack.com/p/a-diamond-...
caradigmshift.substack.com/p/a-diamond-...
July 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
This great primer on OAA from @ncoaging.bsky.social made me think about all the ways this key legislation is like the bevels on a diamond ring
caradigmshift.substack.com/p/a-diamond-...
caradigmshift.substack.com/p/a-diamond-...
How the Older Americans Act 60th anniversary makes me think about diamond rings
caradigmshift.substack.com/p/a-diamond-...
#OAA #olderadults #olderamericansact #caregivers
caradigmshift.substack.com/p/a-diamond-...
#OAA #olderadults #olderamericansact #caregivers
July 14, 2025 at 4:08 PM
How the Older Americans Act 60th anniversary makes me think about diamond rings
caradigmshift.substack.com/p/a-diamond-...
#OAA #olderadults #olderamericansact #caregivers
caradigmshift.substack.com/p/a-diamond-...
#OAA #olderadults #olderamericansact #caregivers
New research from @bidmcreseach.bsky.social validates the experience of millions of #familycaregivers: the amount of time #olderadults hold in emergency department is increasing (and this was before the #OBBBA was signed into law).
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Prolonged Emergency Department Stays for Older US Adults
This cross-sectional analysis investigates prolonged emergency department (ED) stays and ED boarding times among older US adults stratified by health care site type.
jamanetwork.com
July 8, 2025 at 2:36 PM
New research from @bidmcreseach.bsky.social validates the experience of millions of #familycaregivers: the amount of time #olderadults hold in emergency department is increasing (and this was before the #OBBBA was signed into law).
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
Reposted by Jen Olsen, DrPH
You should never judge one's risk threshold for COVID based on what you think you know about them. Physical health is just one factor, there's also
-social supports
-financial
-caregiving responsibilities
-mental health & invisible illnesses
Be curious & have compassion
-social supports
-financial
-caregiving responsibilities
-mental health & invisible illnesses
Be curious & have compassion
June 30, 2025 at 12:26 AM
You should never judge one's risk threshold for COVID based on what you think you know about them. Physical health is just one factor, there's also
-social supports
-financial
-caregiving responsibilities
-mental health & invisible illnesses
Be curious & have compassion
-social supports
-financial
-caregiving responsibilities
-mental health & invisible illnesses
Be curious & have compassion
That's after they already solved food insecurity and care for aging family members
Can we stop saying “the girls are fighting”? The girls would never. This is two man-children crying over EV mandates that boost their own stock and who scrubbed the Epstein list. The only thing the girls would be fighting over is how to fix childcare and housing the fastest.
June 6, 2025 at 2:08 PM
That's after they already solved food insecurity and care for aging family members
INBOX: a second measles case has been reported in Charlottesville. This one is linked to the first reported Cville case.
Measles has been reported in a child between the ages of 0-4 in the Northwest Region who developed symptoms after exposure to another Virginia measles case.
Exposure details:
Measles has been reported in a child between the ages of 0-4 in the Northwest Region who developed symptoms after exposure to another Virginia measles case.
Exposure details:
June 6, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Could the very small, teeny, tiny (in relative terms) amount of $ that goes to #olderadult and #caregiver programs avoid being cut? The answer is a definite maybe. @kff.org analysis "...difficult to assess whether funding for any of the former ACL’s functions will be scaled back or terminated."
What could the reorganization and staffing cuts at HHS mean for the Older Americans Act?
Our new brief considers what’s at stake for the millions of people who receive services provided under the Act:
Our new brief considers what’s at stake for the millions of people who receive services provided under the Act:
What to Know About the Older Americans Act and the Services it Provides to Older Adults | KFF
The Trump administration is proposing a reorganization and staffing cuts at HHS that create uncertainty about the potential effects on older adults, who receive services authorized under the Older Ame...
on.kff.org
June 5, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Could the very small, teeny, tiny (in relative terms) amount of $ that goes to #olderadult and #caregiver programs avoid being cut? The answer is a definite maybe. @kff.org analysis "...difficult to assess whether funding for any of the former ACL’s functions will be scaled back or terminated."
Sometimes you might hear about diseases or outbreaks and think "I don't have to worry about that, its not near me" Below details of #measles case in #cville (from VA DoH). Your local reminder that diseases don't stop spreading when #publichealth stops getting funded
May 24, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Sometimes you might hear about diseases or outbreaks and think "I don't have to worry about that, its not near me" Below details of #measles case in #cville (from VA DoH). Your local reminder that diseases don't stop spreading when #publichealth stops getting funded
Reposted by Jen Olsen, DrPH
Massively cutting Medicaid and SNAP isn’t the only way to find savings. We could just forgo tax cuts for Americans making over $500K instead.
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
May 22, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Massively cutting Medicaid and SNAP isn’t the only way to find savings. We could just forgo tax cuts for Americans making over $500K instead.
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
My @morningjoe-msnbc.bsky.social Chart
After reading too much news, turned to @doriskgoodwin.bsky.social Team of Rivals for hope "To Lincoln's mind, the fundamental test of a democracy was its capacity to 'elevate the condition of men, to lift artificial weights from all shoulders, to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all'."
May 22, 2025 at 6:15 PM
After reading too much news, turned to @doriskgoodwin.bsky.social Team of Rivals for hope "To Lincoln's mind, the fundamental test of a democracy was its capacity to 'elevate the condition of men, to lift artificial weights from all shoulders, to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all'."
Beautiful sentiment within an #obituary about a couple's relationship enduring thru #Alzheimers "It was through their example – always and during this challenging time, in particular – that their children learned the power of love, humility, humor, and hard work rooted in faith." #caregiver
May 22, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Beautiful sentiment within an #obituary about a couple's relationship enduring thru #Alzheimers "It was through their example – always and during this challenging time, in particular – that their children learned the power of love, humility, humor, and hard work rooted in faith." #caregiver
Reposted by Jen Olsen, DrPH
In 2025, new role models must be more than builders. We need system-designers.
Not one home at a time, but thousands.
Not just raising walls, but reimagining the blueprint.
Rosalynn taught us to care by doing.
The next model must scale that care, without losing the soul in the structure.
Not one home at a time, but thousands.
Not just raising walls, but reimagining the blueprint.
Rosalynn taught us to care by doing.
The next model must scale that care, without losing the soul in the structure.
May 20, 2025 at 9:50 PM
In 2025, new role models must be more than builders. We need system-designers.
Not one home at a time, but thousands.
Not just raising walls, but reimagining the blueprint.
Rosalynn taught us to care by doing.
The next model must scale that care, without losing the soul in the structure.
Not one home at a time, but thousands.
Not just raising walls, but reimagining the blueprint.
Rosalynn taught us to care by doing.
The next model must scale that care, without losing the soul in the structure.
Here's accessible link to this invaluable resource for #caregivers from @nytimes. Read this while sitting on that uncomfortable bedside chair: Nurses Share Insider Tips for Your Next Hospital Visit www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/w...
Nurses Share Insider Tips for Your Next Hospital Visit
www.nytimes.com
May 20, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Here's accessible link to this invaluable resource for #caregivers from @nytimes. Read this while sitting on that uncomfortable bedside chair: Nurses Share Insider Tips for Your Next Hospital Visit www.nytimes.com/2025/05/16/w...
More administrative barriers also opens the door for more fraudsters to provide "assistance" to people trying to make decisions and get coverage
I've helped many friends and family members navigate signing up for Medicaid and the ACA marketplace. In almost every case, they've been confused or stymied at some point. Erecting more administrative barriers will result in fewer people covered.
May 18, 2025 at 2:30 PM
More administrative barriers also opens the door for more fraudsters to provide "assistance" to people trying to make decisions and get coverage
As Howard Gleckman thoughtfully points out, there are more questions than answers for #familycaregivers regarding #medicaid changes regarding work requirement: www.forbes.com/sites/howard...
What The House Medicaid Bill Means For Older Adults And Their Families
Low-income workers who leave their jobs or reduce their hours to care for loved ones risk losing their own Medicaid benefits.
www.forbes.com
May 17, 2025 at 2:40 PM
As Howard Gleckman thoughtfully points out, there are more questions than answers for #familycaregivers regarding #medicaid changes regarding work requirement: www.forbes.com/sites/howard...
Of "small slice of nonworking adults who can be considered able-bodied....they are exceptionally poor women on the older end of the working-age spectrum, who have no income of their own & live in poor families. Most have less than a HS education & left the workforce to take care of family members"
Advocates for Medicaid work requirements argue it insures millions of working-age adults who chose not to work. In a new Opinion, Sara Rosenbaum of the George Washington University & coauthors analyzed census data to identify the working-age, but nonworking, adults that are insured through Medicaid
Who's Affected by Medicaid Work Requirements? It's Not Who You Think | Milbank Memorial Fund
Since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Medicaid expansion passed in 2010, Medicaid work requirement proponents have sought to convince policymakers that the
www.milbank.org
May 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Of "small slice of nonworking adults who can be considered able-bodied....they are exceptionally poor women on the older end of the working-age spectrum, who have no income of their own & live in poor families. Most have less than a HS education & left the workforce to take care of family members"