All Home Care Matters

The Caregiver's Journal hosted by Lance A. Slatton with Cindy (PT) & Christina (ST) Hardin-Weiss.

 

The Caregiver's Journal is the show where we are sharing the caregiving experiences, stories, and wisdom of family caregivers.

 

Chapter 6 - "Finding Care":

 

In this journal entry, we welcomed Michelle Stevens who shared her caregiving journey and how she is "Finding Care".

 

About Michelle Stevens:

 

Michelle Stevens spent 20 years as a caregiver, with the last 13 focused on dementia care, helping elderly patients with Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Dementia. The past three years were especially intense for her as she cared for her mom full-time during her fight with LBD, staying with her until the very end.

 

Since 2016, she has also gained expertise in ostomy care after her mom had her bladder removed due to cancer, which added an extra layer of complexity to her dementia care. Michelle's goal is to share her experiences to guide and support others on this difficult journey. She wants to be an advocate for both patients and caregivers, bringing some ease and calm to the process. Through her work, she hopes to turn her own painful experiences into something positive, helping others navigate their way with empathy and understanding.

 

Connect with Michelle Stevens:

Instagram:

@dementia_caregiver_chronilces

 

YouTube: 

@dementiacaregiverchronicles

 

Email: [email protected]

 

About Cindy (PT) & Christina (ST):

 

Cindy graduated in 1992 with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St Louis, MO. The majority of her career has been spent in Home Healthcare. She is passionate about helping people maintain their independence, especially when it makes a difference in their ability to remain in their homes. 

Christina graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders & Science. She spent most of her career treating patients in skilled nursing facilities. She enjoys working with individuals who have dementia and educating their families. She also likes helping people who have difficulty eating, chewing, and swallowing due to illness or disease.

 

Cindy and Christina are the founders of Adaptive Equipment Caregiving Corner (AEC).

 

Visit the Official Site for Adaptive Equipment Caregiving Corner(AEC): https://adaptiveequipmentcorner.com/

 

About Lance A. Slatton:

 

Lance A. Slatton is a dedicated Writer, Author, Influencer, and seasoned Healthcare professional with a rich background spanning over 20 years in the healthcare industry. As a beacon of knowledge and support in the realm of senior care, Lance’s journey is not just a career but a calling to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families, caregivers, and their loved ones as they navigate the complexities of long-term care. Lance was named a "50 Under 50" in 2023 by the NYC Journal.

 

Lance's show All Home Care Matters has won multiple awards for its advocacy and impact in helping caregivers and those in the long-term care space.

 

Connect with Lance A. Slatton: Official Website:

https://www.lanceaslatton.com

 

Connect with All Home Care Matters: Official Website:

https://www.allhomecarematters.com

Conscious Caregiving with L & L is "Tackling the Tough Conversations."

 

The topic of this episode is "Nutrition & Seniors" and features an All-Star Panel.

 

Dr. Helena Popovic MBBS (Australian equivalent of MD) Company - Outwitting Alzheimer’s:

 

Dr. Helena Popovic MD is a leading authority on improving brain function, an Australian family physician, and 10-year care-partner for her father who had mixed Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. She has written two best-selling books about their adventure with dementia, and she teaches health professionals, people living with dementia, and members of the public how to stay as sharp at age 90 as they were at age 30. Her philosophy is that education is more powerful than medication, and she believes in growing bolder rather than older.

 

Kerry Mills Rutland, Founder, Health Coach, Advocate at Age Well Simply, LLC:

 

Kerry Mills Rutland, MPA, is a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC) with nearly 20 years of experience in dementia care. A specialist in the Bredesen Protocol, she focuses on preventing and reversing cognitive decline through personalized care.

 

Kerry’s expertise has led to appearances on major platforms like PBS’s The News Hour with Paul Solman and CBS alongside Dr. Max Gomez, where she has shared her insights on dementia care. Her extensive background includes leadership roles in Alzheimer's care, founding Engaging Alzheimer's LLC, and contributing to groundbreaking research with the Brain Health & Research Institute. In 2021, Kerry launched Age Well Simply to integrate lifestyle medicine into cognitive health.

 

She has authored award-winning books and continues to be a passionate advocate for transforming dementia care through education, training, and innovative strategies.

 

Lance A. Slatton and Lori La Bey Co-Host and Produce Conscious Caregiving with L & L.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Jonathan Hunt-Glassman CEO and Co-Founder of Oar Health as guest to the show.

 

About Jonathan Hunt-Glassman:

 

Jonathan Hunt-Glassman is the CEO and co-founder of Oar Health. Jonathan founded Oar Health after struggling with alcohol misuse for more than 15 years before taking back control over alcohol with help from medication. Before founding Oar, Jonathan held healthcare strategy leadership roles at Humana, Optum and Bain & Company.

 

About Oar Health:

 

Oar Health is a telehealth platform that simplifies access to a daily pill to drink less. Oar has helped more than 35,000 members get started with safe, effective, FDA-approved medication that helps them drink less or quit alcohol altogether.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Author Sarah Cart as guest to the show.

 

Writer Sarah Cart shares how she became one of 39 million Americans taking care of an ailing loved one in ON MY WAY BACK TO YOU, One Couple’s Journey through Catastrophic Illness to Healing and Hope (Forefront Books; April 2, 2024). “My husband, Ben, just past his mid-fifties, was irrepressibly healthy and energetic until, suddenly, he wasn’t.”

 

In suspenseful and heart-rending detail, Cart recounts how, beginning with an incurable autoimmune disease, her husband developed one life-threatening condition after another. As each month passed, she felt her best friend, this brilliant businessman, successful entrepreneur, and energetically engaged and organized father to their four sons, slipping away, until eventually they received devastating news: Ben needed a heart transplant. But that was only the tip of the iceberg.

 

Two weeks after the COVID-19 lockdown, they realized Ben’s body was shutting down and his only hope was to get on the list and get that transplant now—in the midst of a pandemic.

 

About Sarah Cart:

 

Sarah Cart was raised and educated in New York and New England and wrote for multiple local publications while she and her husband, Ben, raised four sons in northeastern Ohio. Upon becoming empty nesters, the two moved to the Florida Keys, but they returned every summer to the Pennsylvania Poconos, where each had lifelong family connections. Then came COVID-19. The pandemic, combined with Ben’s health issues, necessitated their sheltering in place in Florida for the entirety of 2020. In the wake of Ben’s undergoing miraculous lifesaving measures, they have been afforded the unanticipated gift of a future and, more than ever before, relish time spent with family and friends.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Norman McNamara the founder of the Purple Angel Foundation as our guest to the show.     About Norman McNamara & the Purple Angel Foundation:   The Purple Angel was born on 12th January 2012. It was formed as a steering group to try and make Torbay the first dementia-fNorrm began by asking his local shop staff to read 2 pieces of information so that they could better support people with dementia and their carers. He wrote the “Guide to Understanding Dementia” and put that together with “What is Dementia” written by our Alzheimer’s Society. Two weeks later he returned and, if staff had read, awarded a Purple Angel Logo for their window.   Through Facebook, Norrm met many who wanted to join in. The purple angel was named because Norrm fondly refers to his wife Elaine as “his angel”!   On the 16th of November, 2013, the first 50 worldwide ambassadors were inaugurated in Paignton, Devon, UK. There are now well over 1000 ambassadors, all with their own teams of volunteer-friendly resorts in the country.   Norman McNamara a resident of Torbay, Devon, UK was diagnosed with dementia at only 50 years of age. Whilst out shopping one day he was rudely spoken to by a shopkeeper and decided to change the way people see dementia and treat others.   Many towns in the UK began raising awareness with The Purple Angel, taking the information to their local shops and businesses. On a Facebook “Dementia Aware” page many others began to form dementia-friendly communities and were inspired by the success of the project.   Many Purple Angel Dementia Action Alliances now have their own steering groups and the word is spreading to other areas. It became apparent that many other organizations needed to be included such as hospitals, first responders, rescue services, schools, scouts, etc. and resources were developed to address different situations. A book was written for young school children by Max Wallack in the USA and is being translated into other languages by Purple Angel ambassadors and talks held in schools so that our young can grow up understanding dementia.   In places new memory cafes were organised and events took place across the world for the new Dementia Awareness Day fundraising for dementia charities all year.   Many countries across the globe joined in the campaign and Dementia Friendly Communities started up together with Memory Cafes and other initiatives.   Connect with Norman McNamara and the Purple Angel Foundation:   Official Website for the Purple Angel Foundation: https://purpleangel-global.com/   Visit the Official Website for Lance A. Slatton: https://www.lanceaslatton.com   Visit the Official Website for All Home Care Matters: https://www.allhomecarematters.com

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome the team behind the book "A Kids Book to Long-Term Care" Author Jenny Abeling & Illustrator Mary Mattews as guests to the show.

About Jenny Abeling:

Jenny Abeling brings two decades of unwavering dedication to advocacy and caring for our communities. A seasoned healthcare executive and nationally recognized force, she has relentlessly championed the rights of vulnerable communities, leaving an indelible mark on programs and communities nationwide. As a long-term care leader, she is a champion for older Americans and has earned recognition for her exceptional efforts in advocating for those often left unseen and unheard.

Recently, she pioneered the Essential Worker Healthcare Program which is a first-in-the-nation effort to lift up the health and wellness of long-term care workers. In every campaign, every program, and every endeavor, Jenny continues to prove that change is not just possible -- it's inevitable under the guidance of a visionary leader.

About Mary Matthews:

Mary Matthews is a communications creative with expertise in television, digital arts, branding, and marketing. With over 18 years of experience creating content and running creative communications for nonprofits, advocacy campaigns, and corporate clients, Mary delivers compelling production work to every project she takes on. Her impactful storytelling, strong work ethic, and distinct sense of humor produce highly creative projects that resonate across a variety of industries and platforms.

About Gal Pal Productions:

Gal Pal Productions was launched by two highly creative, accomplished, and driven advocates deeply committed to lifting the voices of the often unseen and unheard through impactful visual storytelling. Co-founders and Executive Producers, Jenny Abeling and Mary Matthews, work tirelessly to prioritize and elevate intergenerational narratives into the larger cultural conversation through film, video, photography, illustration, graphic arts, and publications.

The Caregiver's Journal hosted by Lance A. Slatton with Cindy (PT) & Christina (ST) Hardin-Weiss.

 

The Caregiver's Journal is the show where we are sharing the caregiving experiences, stories, and wisdom of family caregivers.

 

Chapter 5 - "Finding Support": In this journal entry, we welcomed Laurette Klier who shared her caregiving journey and how she is "Finding Support". 

 

About Laurette Klier: Laurette Klier is the founder of NANA’S BOOKS, a treasury of art and literature pairings in approachable, adaptive formats, mindfully designed to meet the needs of people living with brain change and their communities of care. A career educator, Laurette saw that her mother-in-law, ‘Nana Mary’, who was living with Lewy body dementia had entirely abandoned her daily newspapers and large print books, and decided to try her hand at creating books that Nana could read and enjoy once again. Because NANA’S book was such a hit, Laurette kept making more books, with topics requested by neighbors and friends who were also living with cognitive change. Based in nostalgia, the resonant themes struck such a chord with elders in life review, a common thread began to appear: books that honor identity and give elders the visual and auditory cues they need empower them to reminisce and converse with ease.

 

Now with 40 books in print and digital libraries, Laurette is focused on getting the word out to families, communities, and libraries seeking to re-ignite lifespan reading and unite generations. Laurette holds master’s and undergraduate degrees from Boston College, in education and speech communications. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) certified senior advisor (CSA), certified in individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (iCST) and Habilitation Therapy, and is finishing up her Engagement Leader Certification with Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care. NANA’S BOOKS have received a 2021 Maude’s Award for Innovation in Making Connections, a 2023 National Service to Seniors Award from CSA, and a 2023 National Mature Media Award for Innovation in Digital Resources for Caregivers. 

 

About Cindy (PT) & Christina (ST):

 

Cindy graduated in 1992 with a Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St Louis, MO. The majority of her career has been spent in Home Healthcare. She is passionate about helping people maintain their independence, especially when it makes a difference in their ability to remain in their homes. Christina graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Master’s degree in Communication Disorders & Science. She spent most of her career treating patients in skilled nursing facilities. She enjoys working with individuals who have dementia and educating their families. She also likes helping people who have difficulty eating, chewing, and swallowing due to illness or disease. Cindy and Christina are the founders of Adaptive Equipment Caregiving Corner (AEC).

 

Visit the Official Site for Adaptive Equipment Caregiving Corner (AEC):

https://adaptiveequipmentcorner.com/

 

About Lance A. Slatton: Lance A. Slatton is a dedicated Writer, Author, Influencer, and seasoned Healthcare professional with a rich background spanning over 20 years in the healthcare industry. As a beacon of knowledge and support in the realm of senior care, Lance’s journey is not just a career but a calling to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families, caregivers, and their loved ones as they navigate the complexities of long-term care. Lance was named a "50 Under 50" in 2023 by the NYC Journal. Lance's show All Home Care Matters has won multiple awards for its advocacy and impact in helping caregivers and those in the long-term care space.

 

Connect with Lance A. Slatton:

Official Website:

https://www.lanceaslatton.com

Conscious Caregiving with L & L is "Tackling the Tough Conversations." 

 

The topic of this episode is "Myths, Stigmas, Lies, & Seniors" and features an All-Star Panel. 

Samuel A. Simon, known as the "The Dementia Man" is a Playwright, Producer, and Actor:

Samuel A. (Sam) Simon started his career in Washington, DC as a lawyer for Ralph Nader’s first advocacy group in 1970. He then spent 25 years as head of a public affairs firm. In that work, he was often in the news, appearing on Face The Nation, Phil Donahue Show, Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, and many more. Sam calls his playwriting and theatre work is 4th Age. His first play, The Actual Dance, Love’s Ultimate Journey Through Breast Cancer, toured from 2013 to the present. In 2021 The Actual Dance was turned into an award-winning biography. 

In 2018, Sam was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or MCI. In 2022, he was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. He began documenting his journey with Alzheimer’s in 2023 by writing a new play, Dementia Man, An Existential Journey, which debuted with a performance at the Capitol Fringe Festival that same year.

Sam lives in Mclean, Virginia, with his wife Susan. They have two adult children and four grandchildren. Sam’s work in law and theatre has been recognized by his inclusion in Who’s Who in American Law and, in 2023, Who’s Who in America.

Tracy Cram Perkins, Author:

Tracy Cram Perkins, is a four-time dementia caregiving survivor with sixteen-years of experience caring for four family members with dementia. She is the author of Dementia Home Care: How to Prepare Before, During, and After. Dementia Home Care. She teaches hands-on solutions for reducing repetitive questions, melt downs, and wandering. 

She includes tips using simple, inexpensive fixes found at hardware and office supply stores. 

 

Lance A. Slatton and Lori La Bey Co-Host and Produce Conscious Caregiving with L & L. 

All Home Care Matters host, Lance A. Slatton speaks with Marianne Sciucco & Christy Byrne Yates from AlzAuthors about his book "The All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregivers' Guide" and the motivation behind the book.

 

About the Book:

 

At the heart of every family is the profound bond shared with our aging parents, a bond that becomes both clearer and more delicate as the sunset of their lives approaches. "The All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregivers' Guide" is a beacon of wisdom, meant to guide you through the complexities and emotional tides of becoming a caregiver. This pivotal guide is your ally, from witnessing the early signs of your parents needing assistance to managing the crescendo of their medical and emotional needs.

 

About Lance A. Slatton:

 

Lance A. Slatton is a dedicated Writer, Author, Influencer, and seasoned Healthcare professional with a rich background spanning over 20 years in the healthcare industry. As a beacon of knowledge and support in the realm of senior care, Lance’s journey is not just a career but a calling to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families, caregivers, and their loved ones as they navigate the complexities of long-term care.

 

Lance’s passion for helping others was the guiding light that led him to become a Senior Case Manager at Enriched Life Home Care Services, where he has been instrumental in providing care and support to those in need. His dedication to the field extends beyond his day job, as Lance has taken his commitment to a global audience through his award-winning podcast and YouTube channel, All Home Care Matters, as well as co-hosting The Caregivers Journal with Cindy and Christina of AECorner, as well as Conscious Caregiving with L&L alongside Lori La Bey. Beyond the accolades, Lance’s work is fueled by a genuine desire to empower individuals and families facing long-term care challenges.

 

He leverages his platform to share crucial information, resources, and support, ensuring no one feels alone in their journey. His involvement with the Board of Directors for a senior center in Monroe County, Michigan, further illustrates his commitment to community engagement and support at the grassroots level. 

 

Connect with Lance A. Slatton:

 

Official Website:

https://www.lanceaslatton.com

 

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Bruce McIntyre, CEO of the Oklahoma Parkinson's Alliance and Kristin Rossi the CEO of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation as guests to the show.

 

About Bruce McIntyre:

 

Bruce McIntyre serves as the CEO of the Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance. He is the author of five books: Receiving Peace, Thrive Anyway, Parkinson Positive, Graceful Transitions, and Resilient Life. Bruce shares his expert guidance and warm humor with thousands of people each year. He has keynoted such events as the 2016 National Caregiving Conference in Chicago, the 2019 Regional Caregiver Conference SW, as well as over 100 disease conferences, caregiving gatherings, and church events. As a caregiver for his wife since 2004, Bruce understands the world of chronic illness and caregiving. He earned a Master of Divinity in 2002 and has led the Caregiver Fundamentals Project in Oklahoma City and served family caregivers as a church, business, and nonprofit leader. You can learn more about him at BruceMcIntyre.com.

 

The Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance works to inspire hope and transform life for people with Parkinson’s in Oklahoma. With offices in OKC, Tulsa and Lawton, the Alliance offers almost 90 support, exercise and voice groups across the state as well as free family consultations, education events and research opportunities. .

 

About Kristin Rossi:

 

Kristin Rossi is the Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation. Kristin has spent the last 16 years in nonprofit leadership. She earned her Masters of Public Administration with a focus on nonprofit management from Western Michigan University and has worked with various areas of the nonprofit sector from university foundations to the social sector to arts and culture and currently a statewide voluntary health foundation. Prior to taking the helm at the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Kristin worked for many years at the Alzheimer’s Association where she developed a passion for neurodegenerative diseases, the effect they have on families, and the importance of ensuring that families and caregivers connect with community resources and support so that no one feels isolated or alone.

 

She loves working with and learning from older adults and is committed to supporting healthy aging initiatives across the state of Michigan and beyond. Kristin believes that the nonprofit sector truly has an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and has dedicated her career to making in impact in this arena. In her free time, Kristin enjoys reading, all things Italian, traveling and spending as much time as possible with her husband and two small children.