All Home Care Matters

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

About Pam Cusick, Senior Vice President at Rare Patient Voice:

Pam Cusick is an experienced research professional with more than 30 years of expertise in study design, implementation, and analysis. Her background in public health communications and research, coupled with her passion for patient advocacy, dovetail with Rare Patient Voice's mission and vision. She hopes to expand Rare Patient Voice's panels to include all patients and caregivers who want to share their opinions and impact their disease category.

Pam earned a BA in Psychology from Sweet Briar College, and a MA in Psychology from the New School for Social Research. She is Past-President of the Board of Directors and Scientific Advisory Council Lead for the Horses and Humans Research Foundation. In addition, Pam has recently been named a Laureate by the Insights Association! This recognition, given by peers across the industry, is a true lifetime honor—and she is "still taking it all in."

As Senior Vice President, Pam's focus is on the continued growth and success of RPV, with an eye on client services, business development, and oversight of patient outreach, panel management, and marketing.

About Rare Patient Voice:

Rare Patient Voice, LLC connects patients and family caregivers of rare and non-rare diseases with opportunities to share their opinions with companies and researchers by participating in all types of research studies. These include surveys and phone interviews, online bulletin boards, focus groups, clinical trials, and more.

While RPV began with a focus on rare diseases, we now welcome patients and family caregivers living with all medical conditions. We currently cover more than 1,500 rare and non-rare diseases and conditions. Over the years, we have paid patients and family caregivers over $15 million for participating in research.

We work with thousands of organizations, patient advocacy groups, and individuals to spread the word about RPV. Since launching in the United States in 2013, RPV has expanded across the globe. We now recruit patients and caregivers for research studies in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, Australia, and New Zealand.

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

About Kian Saneii Founder & CEO Independa, Inc.:

Kian Saneii is a serial entrepreneur and computer scientist, best known as the founder and CEO of Independa, an award winning health tech company delivering remote care solutions through computers, tablets, mobile phones and even TVs! His work helps people stay healthier at home longer, safer and more comfortably, while improving efficiency and effectiveness across senior care, homecare and healthcare systems.

Previously, Saneii held leadership roles at Websense, IPNet Solutions, and IMA, driving innovation in wireless, supply chain, and CRM technologies. He holds Computer Science undergrad and graduate degrees from NYU and Rutgers, respectively, and lives in Los Angeles, CA. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, playing soccer, tennis, and cycling, and dabbling with the piano and drums.

About Independa, Inc.:

Independa, Inc., founded in 2009, is a leader in remote engagement, education and care solutions. Independa turns the everyday TV into a health and wellness hub, offering 24/7 access to telehealth services, games, wellness content, social engagement including video chat, in-home lab tests, and much more—improving access to health across the US.

Independa customers and partners enjoy top line growth, bottom line efficiencies, and brand elevation, and improving the lives and maintaining the health of those they serve. Independa provides solutions "From the Hospital to the Home, and everything in between."

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Derek DeVos, Technical Sergeant (Retired), USAF as guest to the show.

About Derek DeVos, Technical Sergeant (Retired), USAF:

Derek raised his right hand in January 2009 and served over 15 years in the United States Air Force.

From Utah to Alaska, the Republic of Korea to North Carolina and New Mexico, and through two deployments that tested every part of him, he carried both the pride and the weight of being an Airman.

Derek's career ended early when PTSD and physical conditions caught up with him, and he was medically retired on September 15, 2024.

Derek is now a 100% disabled veteran, continuing the mission through The PTSD, Inc., a nonprofit he founded in Statesville, NC to ensure veterans and families don't have to fight alone.

About The PTSD:

The PTSD, Inc. is a disabled veteran-founded nonprofit based in Statesville, NC, built from lived experience. Our mission is to reduce barriers for veterans and their families by providing peer-led support, community-driven resources, and practical tools that restore stability and hope. We believe every veteran deserves a clear path forward, and no family should have to fight PTSD alone.

We keep it simple:

• The PATH – veterans walking together through peer-led support groups.

• The HUB – a one-stop resource navigation center, that ends dead ends and red tape in the system.

• BRAVE TAILS – veterans and shelter dogs healing side by side .

• The AIMS – adaptive memory and accountability support, helping track spirals and wins.

• The 2nd Front – our fastest-growing lane, designed for caregivers, spouses, and families. Behind every veteran is a second front line: caregivers carrying the invisible weight. This program gives them a peer-led community of their own, with respite, tools, and recognition. All Home Care Matters was one of the first to recognize and amplify this vision , proving the urgency and resonance of supporting caregivers.

It's not theory. It's lived experience turned into action, a closed-loop ecosystem designed to scale across communities, reduce crisis events, and strengthen families.

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

The topic of this episode is "Planning & Seniors" featuring hosts Lori La Bey and Lance A. Slatton.

About Lori La Bey:

Lori La Bey is the founder of Alzheimer's Speaks and is co-founder of Dementia Map global resource directory and the co-host of Conscious Caregiving with L & L.

Lori's mother who lived with dementia for 30 years. Her goal has always been to shift dementia care from crisis to comfort around the world.

She offers a variety of free resources to educate, empower, connect, and decrease stigmas; helping families and professionals live graciously alongside dementia.

Lori is an international speaker known for her multiple platforms and training programs.

About Lance A. Slatton - known as "The Senior Care Influencer"":

Known as "The Senior Care Influencer" Lance is a Writer, Author, Influencer, and Healthcare professional with over 20 years in the healthcare industry.

Lance A. Slatton is a senior case manager at Enriched Life Home Care Services in Livonia, MI. He is also host of the award winning podcast & YouTube channel All Home Care Matters and Co-Host of Conscious Caregiving with L & L with Lori La Bey along with The Care Advocates and The Caregiver's Journal.

Lance's book, "The All Home Care Matters Official Family Caregivers' Guide" was the recent recipient of the 2024 International Impact Book Awards.

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

About Darlene Fuchs: Darlene Fuchs's writing is shaped by grief and the kind of love that doesn't let go. Her memoir, Get In The Boat, began as a vow to her father and became a raw, clear-eyed account of staying when everything else falls away. She gives voice to the ache behind closed doors—and to the quiet kind of love that keeps showing up, even when no one sees it.

About "Get In The Boat":

Richard didn't just watch his wife disappear—he lived it. Dementia stripped Gail down memory by memory, until she became a ghost inside the body he still kissed goodnight. He stayed. Through the blank stares, the violent confusion, the heartbreak on repeat. Then came the gut punch no one sees coming: their great-grandson.

A brain tumor. Terminal.

Another slow-motion goodbye. And just as the grief settled, COVID slammed the door shut. No visitors. No help. Just Richard—grief rotting in one room, and a slow death unraveling in the other.

Get In The Boat is not a soft-focus memoir. It's raw. It's real. It's what love looks like when memory is gone, hope is thin, and staying feels like breaking.

Because sometimes love looks like hell. And you walk through it anyway.

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

About Mary Fridley:

A long-time community builder, group therapist and passionate developmentalist, Mary Fridley is on the faculty at the East Side Institute, where she co-created and leads The Joy of Dementia (You Gotta Be Kidding!) and leads Reimagining Dementia: A Creative Coalition for Justice, an international effort to creatively transform the "tragedy narrative" of dementia. She is also a guest columnist for agebuzz.com.

About Reimagining Dementia: A Creative Coalition for Justice:

Reimagining Dementia: A Creative Coalition for Justice brings together people living with dementia, care partners, community members, activists and allies, helping professionals, artists, academics and others who believe in creativity (of all kinds) as an innovative way to transform the stigma and stereotypes of dementia and the inequities experienced by people living with it, and to effect individual and social transformation.

With 1,100 plus members in 50 countries, the Coalition is a grassroots catalyst for change and a visible "hub" and community of support for all. In 2023, we launched Taking It to the Streets, which invites members and allies to host public-facing events, activities, and conversations that present creative, collaborative and hope-filled alternatives to the fear, stigma and hopelessness surrounding dementia.

The Care Advocates is brought to you by the All Home Care Matters Media team and focuses on providing family caregivers and their loved ones with support, resources, and discussion on the issues facing them in the matrix of long-term care.

The Care Advocates are honored to welcome, Tony Lynch as guest to the show.

About Tony Lynch:

Tony Lynch, men's grief coach, program designer, conference host, host of the grief let's talk about it podcast, co-host of The connectwork, graphic novelist, editor in chief of Grief Talk magazine, international best seller, guest speaker, and founder of the non-profit Memories of Us Ltd/The Global Grief Network.

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 16 - "Family Caregiver":

About Madeline Bastida:

My name is Madeline Bastida, but most people call me Maddy. I'm a proud Puerto Rican from New York City, now living in Washington State. I'm a daughter, advocate, and creative soul navigating life while caring for my dad, Fernando, who is living with Alzheimer's.

Our journey began when my dad started showing early signs of memory loss, when he lived in Puerto Rico, and everything changed. I felt overwhelmed and alone, unsure of where to turn. But over time, I realized that this wasn't just a diagnosis, it was a chance to connect deeper, love harder, and find purpose through pain.

That's why I created my platform to share real, joyful, and honest moments between me and my dad, to remind others they're not alone. From dancing through sundowning episodes to finding peace in small wins, I've made it my mission to advocate for caregivers and those living with dementia or Alzheimer's.

I also volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association since they helped me a lot, I want to provide support. and I recently launched a fundraiser and awareness campaign through my Mindful Memory Solutions a website that I just created.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Anne S. Royer & Robert W. Royer as guests to the show.

About Anne S. Royer:

Anne's background and interests have included family, volunteering, and her love of art, painting and photography that began while living in Santa Fe and continues today.

About Robert W. Royer:

Robert is a semi-retired real estate developer specializing in residential, mixed-use, and resort properties.

About Meal Lifter®:

The Meal Lifter® eating aid was created to assist individuals suffering from Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, dementia, Cerebral Palsy, Essential Tremors, autism, strokes, injuries, learning disabilities, and age-related conditions that make it difficult to eat independently.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Jonathan Cottor as guest to the show. About Jonathan Cottor, MBA, MPH. : Jonathan Cottor is a devoted father whose journey with his son Ryan, diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at 9 months old, profoundly shaped his life. Ryan defied expectations, living an extraordinary 17 years until his death in December 2018. Inspired by their experience, Jonathan and his wife co-founded Ryan House, a pioneering children's respite, palliative, and hospice care home in Phoenix, Arizona. After a 30-year career in corporate marketing and leadership, Ryan's death became the catalyst for Jonathan to align his work with his passion. He earned a Master of Public Health (MPH) from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, specializing in policy and advocacy, along with a certificate in Maternal and Child Health. Jonathan is now a recognized national thought leader in pediatric palliative care. He has been instrumental in building a coalition of community-based pediatric palliative care home models, culminating in the creation of the National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes and its flagship initiative, Children's Respite Homes of America. About National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes (NCPPCH): The National Center for Pediatric Palliative Care Homes (NCPPCH) is a national nonprofit advancing an innovative solution: local, community-based homes that provide overnight respite, palliative, and hospice care tailored to the needs of medically fragile children and young adults, particularly those with life-limiting conditions.