Live interactive panel

Please join us for a panel discussion of research from the KU School of Social Welfare’s Center for Aging and Disability Options, about the effects of the pandemic on the long-term care workforce, as well as perspectives from providers in the field, about the long-term care workforce needed to meet the Grand Challenge of advancing long and productive lives.

Carrie Wendel-Hummel, PhD

Carrie directs the Center for Research on Aging and Disability Options (CRADO) in the KU School of Social Welfare.  She has conducted interdisciplinary research and program evaluation on Medicaid funded long term service and supports programs for over a decade.  Prior to her academic career, Carrie worked as direct support staff in both private home and congregate care settings, which motivated her research interest in long term care policy.  Currently, Carrie and her team are investigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Medicaid funded home care in Kansas through an AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality) funded project.    

Mickey Dick, LMSW

Mickey received her BSW from the KU School of Social Welfare in 2003. She began her social work career in long-term care, as Director of Social Services at Pioneer Ridge Retirement Community in Lawrence, where she learned about long-term care regulations, Medicare/Medicaid, and the importance of working with an interdisciplinary team for resident advocacy. After leaving the long-term care setting, Mickey worked as Client Services Manager at Trinity In-Home Care (TIHC), a non-profit agency that provides in-home assistance with activities of daily living to help individuals remain in their homes. After 8 years at TIHC, Mickey felt called to hospice care. She began her hospice social work career in 2014 at Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association (VNA). End of life care is often filled with fear and anxiety; Mickey sees being able to walk with individuals and their families throughout their journey as a true gift. Recognizing the need for continued aging positive clinicians, Mickey returned to KU to complete her MSW and graduated in May of 2021. Working full time while pursuing a Master’s degree during a pandemic was a challenge, but Mickey is so glad to have completed the program! Her devotion to advancing social work also includes serving as a KU Field Instructor since 2006. For self-care, Mickey spends family time with her husband and two boys, gardening, and reading fiction.

Yvonne Love, LBSW

After earning her bachelor’s degree in Social Work from KU at the age of 39, Yvonne entered the health care field to pursue her passion of helping the aging population in the long-term-care setting. During her time as a social worker, Yvonne has also received her Activity Leader Certification and Certified Dementia Practitioner, both of which allow her to be more engaged with her residents. Yvonne is currently the social worker in the health center at Claridge Court in Prairie Village, KS. Her overall goal is and always has been to support the Residents through their final journey on earth with respect and dignity.

For more information contact Melinda Lewis at mlewis@ku.edu