I was a television executive, but I barely survived as a caregiver to my (once-adoring) challenging elderly father and sweet ailing mother, both with Alzheimer' s not properly diagnosed for over a year. But after fighting through an unsympathetic medical system, endless tears, and depleting my parents' life savings and much of my own, I finally figured everything out medically, behaviorally, socially, legally, financially and emotionally.
Passion to save others from a similar experience (or from getting so frustrated they commit elder abuse) resulted in my bestselling first book, a radio program to help caregivers, hundreds of radio/television interviews, media including TODAY, CNN, AARP Bulletin cover story, Woman' s Day, Prevention, and hundreds of presentations including to the California Governor' s Conference, National Security Agency, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and Florida House of Representatives.
BOOK & HONORS
Elder Rage is a Book-of-the-Month Club selection (a caregiving first) being considered for a film. The Addendum by renowned dementia specialist, Rodman Shankle, makes it valuable for healthcare professionals (including doctors), and helped it required reading at numerous universities for courses in geriatric assessment and management. Over 50 endorsements include the National Adult Day Services Association who bestowed their Media Award. The National Association of Women Business Owners bestowed 'Advocate of the Year' at their Remarkable Women Awards. Order Elder Rage
INTERNATIONAL SPEAKER
Mixing poignant and humorous anecdotes with facts and statistics, turns a tough subject into an "edu-taining" event. I am also a breast cancer survivor and my triumph over numerous complications makes a huge impact (especially on caregivers), emphasizing the need to closely monitor own own health. I also speak about writing/self-publishing, securing celebrity endorsements, and how to embrace gratitude and humor to remain positive through life' s challenges.
Numerous Topics & References
RADIO PROGRAM
Coping With Caregiving is my radio show, covering all types of health and aging issues. Interviews with over 1500 guests are archived for free, worldwide listening-on-demand.
MISSIONS
To help improve eldercare laws, show healthcare professionals how they can better help families, provide solutions and hope to caregivers, encourage funding for Alzheimer's research and bring attention to early diagnosis, prevent elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, encourage long-term care planning and insurance, bring attention to funding for Adult Day Care Services, which saved my parents' lives as well as my own. I' ve testified before the Assistant Secretary on Aging and was in a PBS Alzheimer' s documentary on the subject.
COLLABORATION
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