A History of Nursing Homes

# Summary

Chuck explores the fascinating and sometimes troubling history of nursing homes in America, from their origins in 19th-century almshouses through their transformation into medicalized facilities. The episode traces how social mobility, urbanization, and landmark legislation like the Social Security Act and Medicare fundamentally reshaped elder care, eventually creating an industry where for-profit institutions now dominate and the focus shifted from genuine care to customer service. Along the way, Josh and Chuck discuss why our modern approach to aging—where seniors often deplete their life savings for care—reflects a distinctly American approach to a deeply human problem.