Family and Friends — Old and New:

My heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you for supporting the Dignity in Care Act.

Each signature, each share, and each show of support helps build momentum for an important, yet often overlooked, issue:

That every resident in long-term care — especially those in hospice or living with cognitive impairments — receives compassionate, dignified, and respectful care.

We often hear the same narrative when concerns arise about the care of our loved ones in long-term care: “they are overworked and understaffed.” While that may be true, being overworked or understaffed should never excuse employees from treating residents and patients with dignity, kindness, and compassion.

Human kindness should never be something that requires mandatory training — especially for those who have chosen to work in the field of long-term care. Families shouldn’t have to live with constant worry, anxiety, or guilt for not being able to provide 24/7 care for their loved one.

That’s where the Dignity in Care Act comes in. It calls for all levels of long-term care staff to attend annual training in sensitivity, dignity, and compassionate care. It promotes transparency and staff accountability, and empowers families to advocate for and oversee the care of their loved ones.

This is deeply personal for me. While my inspiration may have come from my love for one man, I know this effort has the power to help countless others for years to come.

Thank you for being instrumental in supporting the success of this potentially groundbreaking legislation.

With gratitude,

Stacey Frank