» Home » Demographics Research
Demographics Research

Demographics & Research

Detroit Long Term Care System Change Task Force


Building on the 2004 “Dying Before Their Time” report and subsequent research commissioned by Detroit Area Agency on Aging; the Detroit Long Term Care System Change Task Force was convened to develop specific policy recommendations that would address issues identified in research conducted on the long-term care system in Detroit. The Task Force co-chaired by Senator “Buzz” Thomas, State Representative George Cushingberry, Jr. and Paul Bridgewater, President & CEO of the Detroit Area Agency on Aging, held its first meeting in October 2008. The 154-member Task Force engaged a broad base of support from individuals representing agencies committed to improving the condition of long-term care in the City of Detroit. Community stakeholders, healthcare professionals and providers, consumers and advocacy groups served on nine subcommittees established for the primary purpose of improving the quality of long-term care for Detroit’s seniors, adults with disabilities and caregivers. Following are links to the work conducted under the Task Force:

Following are consumer advocacy education modules developed as a result of work conducted under the Long Term Care Stakeholder Engagement Subcommittee.

Nursing Facility Enhancement Project

In April 2008, Detroit Area Agency on Aging was awarded a grant from the Michigan Department of Community Health to develop the Nursing Facility Enhancement Project. The project goal was to enhance the quality and status of Detroit nursing facilities by taking a closer look into why these providers face various challenges with regulatory compliance, Medicaid reimbursement, access to financing, management and other operational efficiencies that have in the past led to a number of facility closures.

The project’s final report, Transforming Long-Term Care in Detroit, outlines the need for immediate change in Detroit’s long-term care system by examining the cause and effect of these negative factors and offering specific recommendations and ideas to foster change. It also highlights best practices that were immediately implemented in the system as a result of the project, such as training sessions and community engagement.

Following are links to the project’s research reports, presentations, reference and training manuals:

Project Strategy # 1: Conduct Clinical Analysis of Nursing Facilities

Project Strategy # 2: Address Management and Financial Issues

Project Strategy # 3: Address Reimbursement & Regulatory System Issues

  • The work conducted for this strategy was done under the Detroit Long Term Care System Change Task Force. Please see the Task Force section on our website for reports and other documents.
Project Strategy # 4: Address Resident Quality of Life

Project Strategy # 5: Provide Training for Certified Nurse Aides in Long-Term Care Facilities


Other Reports:

Following is the link to view and/or download the final project report:

The Status of Detroit Nursing Homes: Moving Toward Enhancing the Quality of Care

As a result of the “Dying Before Their Time” 2004 study, additional research projects were commissioned by Detroit Area Agency on Aging to identify and address issues associated with accessing long-term care services in Detroit. Following are links to the reports conducted by Plante & Moran, PLLC, Richard Douglass, MPH, Ph.D., and Citizens for Better Care.

Dying Before Their Time

The Detroit Area Agency on Aging released the Dying Before Their Time report in 2004, which revealed the alarming rate of premature deaths of Detroit area seniors associated with poor access to care. Approximately 1,700 Detroit seniors die each year because they do not have access to quality health care that would extend their lives. Following are the research commissioned under this initiative.