All Home Care Matters

All Home Care Matters was honored to welcome Ted Fischer the Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Ageless Innovation as guest to the show. Ted has spent his 30-year career building, working with and leading collaborative teams committed to achieving positive financial and social impact. As CEO of Ageless Innovation, Ted is focused on accelerating the growth and impact of the JOY FOR ALL brand, that he and his former Hasbro team spun out and acquired from Hasbro in 2018. He joined Hasbro in 2015 as Vice President of Business Development to help lead the identification and execution of new growth platforms, focused in the Health and Wellness space. Ted and his team launched the JOY FOR ALL brand in 2015 and continue the exciting work focused on unleashing the power of play to positively impact the lives of older adults and their families. About Ageless Innovation: In 2015, an innovation team was formed at Hasbro and given the unique challenge to leverage the company’s assets in new markets and new channels at scale. Focusing on the health and wellness space, they were convinced that creating engaging products that foster meaningful connections through play, joy and happiness would have a positive impact. Fueling this new initiative was the insight that there was a void of products which bring fun and play to the older adult market and the belief that play knows no age limit. It was with that critical insight that the Joy for All brand was born. Based on consumer insights, immersive market research, and constant feedback from aging loved ones and their families the team knew that there were opportunities to provide the joy and playful companionship of pet ownership with the new line of interactive Joy for All Companion Pets. Designed with extensive input from older adults, Joy for All launched the Companion Pet Cats in December 2015. Within the first few months, the effects that these products were having on aging loved ones and their families was undeniable. Stories and testimonials from caregivers on the positive impact on isolation, loneliness, and all forms of cognitive decline continued to validate what the team had believed all along – that the power of play was relevant at all stages of life.

All Home Care Matters was honored to welcome Mary Fridley as guest to the show. Mary Fridley is on the faculty at the East Side Institute in NYC, co-creator and leader of The Joy of Dementia (You Gotta Be Kidding!) and co-founder and coordinator of Reimagining Dementia: A Creative Coalition for Justice. Mary practiced social therapy for 12 years and uses the social therapeutic approach as an experienced teacher and workshop leader. She is author or co-author of several articles and chapters, has been interviewed by numerous media outlets and presented at national and international conferences on the Joy of Dementia and on the Coalition. Additionally, Mary is a guest columnist for agebuzz.com, a playwright and theater director and makes her living as a non-profit fundraising consultant. About Reimagining Dementia: Reimagining Dementia: A Creative Coalition for Justice is an international group of people living with dementia, care partners, family and community members, dementia activists and allies, health professionals, advocates, artists, academics, policymakers, and others. Reimagining Dementia a committed to creativity, belonging, caring relationships, joy and growth for everyone. Launched in September 2020, Reimagining Dementia currently has over 840 members* in 35 countries. Unique to Reimagining Dementia is a belief in creativity (the arts, theater, music, movement, improvisation, performance and more) as an innovative way to challenge the stigma and stereotypes of dementia and the inequities experienced by people living with it, and to effect individual and social transformation. Over the last three years, Reimagining Dementia has emerged as a grassroots catalyst for change and a visible “hub” and community of support for all. By leveraging the collective resources, experiences and successes of our members and others with whom we are collaborating, Reimagining Dementia is giving everyone impacted by dementia the tools, understandings and support they need to thrive. We will not stop until all people across the globe have access to life-affirming alternatives in every aspect of their lives.

All Home Care Matters was honored to welcome Dr. Gretchen Hawley as guest to the show.

Gretchen Hawley is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a Multiple Sclerosis Certified Specialist.

Dr. Hawley utilizes the concept of neuroplasticity in her online MS wellness program, The MSing Link, to help her clients reduce fatigue, get stronger, improve their balance, and walk better. Her clients feel more energized, empowered, in control over their life with MS. Dr. Hawley has been a keynote speaker at several MS conferences, lectures frequently for MS support groups, and continues to keep herself up-to-date on the newest & best MS practices by attending the MS Consortium each year.

Dr. Hawley also uses social media to create more awareness around neuroplasticity exercises that can help improve the quality of life for individuals living with MS worldwide.

All Home Care Matters was honored to welcome Tia Newcomer the CEO of CaringBridge as guest to the show.

Tia is an experienced board member and health technology leader known for building cultures that create enterprise value through customer experience excellence and purpose driven brands supported by scalable technology platforms. She joined CaringBridge as the CEO in 2021, ensuring all operations contribute toward the CaringBridge vision – a world where no one goes through a health journey alone.

Prior to joining CaringBridge, Tia was the Chief Commercial Officer at Generate Life sciences and has spent the last 20 years in executive roles with a foundation in blue chip technology and consumer packaged goods companies. She has led commercial value creation, creating successful go to market strategies in Global Fortune 100, Private Equity and VC backed companies primarily in the Health Tech industry. 

In addition to serving on the CaringBridge board of directors, Tia is an independent board member for Inherent BioSciences, a biotechnology company pioneering epigenetic medicine for complex diseases. She also serves on the Advisory Committee for the American Cancer Society National Breast Cancer Roundtable. And is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications. 

About CaringBridge:

CaringBridge is a nonprofit, free communication platform for family caregivers and the loved ones they support on a health journey. We make it easy to share updates while organizing and activating a support network.

Facing a health challenge is overwhelming, isolating, and lonely. It’s not easy to share updates, ask for help, or coordinate care. During these vulnerable times, people need a trusted place to feel comfortable and protected while receiving support from family and friends.

CaringBridge believes that healing happens when we’re surrounded by loved ones. Since 1997, we’ve supported people to simplify group communication and share sensitive health information – on a personal CaringBridge page that’s free from ads, private, and easy to use.

All Home Care Matters is honored to welcome Alexandra Drane the CEO of ARCHANGELS as guest to the show.

Alexandra is co-founder and CEO of ARCHANGELS. She co-founded Eliza Corporation (acquired by HMS Holdings Corp: HMSY), Engage with Grace, and three other companies (all boot-strapped). A serial entrepreneur, she is also a cashier-on-leave for Walmart. She believes communities are the front line of health, that caregivers are our country’s greatest asset, and that we need to expand the definition of health to include life. 

Alexandra sits on the RAND Social and Economic Policy Advisory Board, the Leadership Council for the Rosalynn Carter Institute, the Entrepreneurs Council for The United States of Care, and Harvard Medical School’s Executive Council of the Division of Sleep Medicine. She is a member of the Board of Directors of C-TAC and has served as a vice chair of the Trustee Advisory Board at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center from 2012-2020 and returned to the role in 2021. She also serves on the Board of Advisors for Open Notes. She served for 7 years as a Governor appointed member of the Executive Committee for the Board of Directors for MassTech, until March 2022.

Alex was named to the first ever Care100 list in 2020, a Top Women in Healthcare’s Entrepreneur of the Year by PR News, one of Disruptive Women in Health Care’s Women to Watch, one of Boston Globe’s Top 100 Women Leaders, and listed in Boston Business Journal’s “40 Under 40”, as well as an inventor on multiple patents. She joined Prudential Financial as a Wellness Expert for a film series called “The State of US” that was turned into a national ad campaign and generated close to two billion impressions. She has one hobby outside of her passion for revolutionizing health care, and her love of family and adventure…car racing.

Connect with ARCHANGELS:

Official Website: https://www.archangels.me/

Conscious Caregiving with L & L is "Tackling the Tough Conversations." The topic of this episode is on Seniors & Travelling and features an All-Star Panel. Jan Dougherty is a nursing expert and leader in dementia care crafting award winning programs to support people living with dementia and their family caregivers. She is founder and president of TravALZ, LLC a company focused on dementia capable travel. Her book entitled, “Travel Well with Dementia: Essential Tips to Enjoy the Journey,” offers the first comprehensive look at supporting travel for people with dementia and their families. Jan is active in creating Dementia Friendly Airports while also certifying professional travel companions to support disabled and older adults to travel with success. Dave Johnston is a retired pastor who has lived with, worked with, traveled with. and loved seniors up to 100+ years old his entire life. Laurie Scherrer was diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer's & FTD at the age of 55. Unable to continue a professional career she turned her focus towards helping others through their dementia journey. Laurie serves on the Dementia Action Alliance Board of Directors. She is an international speaker and has been featured in many articles and documentaries. On her website, dementiadaze.com Laurie shares her feelings, challenges, symptoms and adjustments in hopes of encouraging other Persons with Dementia and care partners to explore ways to live beyond dementia. Together with her husband Roy, they work hard trying to identify the obstacles that trigger Laurie’s challenges and symptoms and then figure out what adjustments they can make to overcome the barriers. “We don’t automatically accept that I CAN’T do things anymore, instead we try to figure out HOW I CAN.” Lynn Smith has been involved with the Sunflower program for the last three years, creating awareness, managing products and distribution, and helping companies implement throughout their organizations. Lynn is also the CMO for The Sourcing Group, the previous North American partner for the Hidden Disabilities program. She is dedicated to making the Sunflower a national symbol for non-visible disabilities throughout the US. Conscious Caregiving with L & L is proudly hosted by Lori La Bey and Lance A. Slatton. Visit the Official Website for Conscious Caregiving with L & L: https://lnkd.in/gu8sSTvG Lori La Bey is the host of Alzheimer's Speaks Radio and the Co-Founder of Dementia Map Resource Directory. Lance A. Slatton is the host of All Home Care Matters and is a Senior Case Manager for Enriched Life Home Care Services.

"Real Talk with Real Caregivers" is proud to welcome you to the show where we have real talk with real caregivers featuring the Caregiver Champions from Caregiving.com. This is the show where we bring real caregivers together to discuss the real issues that are facing caregivers. The topic of this episode is "Life After Caregiving". "Real Talk with Real Caregivers" is here to help support you and your loved ones on your caregiving journey through discussions, advice and insights to help you know that you are not alone. The show is brought to you by Caregiving.com & All Home Care Matters with Co-Hosts Christina Keys and Lance A. Slatton.

All Home Care Matters is honored to welcome Janice Shokrian the Founder & CEO of Tausi brands.

The idea for Tausi came to founder Janice Shokrian in 2018, when visiting her father in a nursing home. Sleeping upright in his chair was incredibly uncomfortable, and causing him a lot of neck pain. She wanted to help him be more comfortable, and provide support for his head and neck. Pillows and props kept slipping, and would not stay in position, and ultimately did not offer enough support. She knew there had to be a better way. 

Over the next few weeks she searched to find an existing solution but came up empty-handed. She realized there was a huge need for a better way to support the head and neck while sleeping upright in a chair. So she took matters into her own hands, and with limited sewing skills, rolled up her sleeves to tackle the challenge head-on. She collaborated with her father in the initial development stages, and Tausi was born.

All Home Care Matters was privileged to welcome Mr. Ian Kremer, J.D. as guest to the show. Ian is the Executive Director of the LEAD Coalition (Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer's Disease). Ian N. Kremer, JD, has worked on federal, state and local dementia policy since 1996. Since 2012, Kremer has served as Executive Director of the LEAD Coalition (Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease: http://www.leadcoalition.org), the uniting voice of over 200 member and allied organizations. The LEAD Coalition accelerates transformational progress in care and support to enrich the quality of life of those with dementia and their caregivers, detection and diagnosis, and research leading to prevention, effective treatment, and cures. The LEAD Coalition has helped to secure historic funding increases for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), expand Medicare services for people with dementia and protect dementia-relevant components of Medicaid and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, expand the role of people with dementia and their care partners in medical product development, build a nation-wide network of dementia-friendly communities, and worked with a dozen federal agencies to overcome health disparities, clarify regulatory pathways, combat elder abuse, and improve cognitive impairment detection and diagnosis, clinical care, and access to home and community-based services.

Currently, Kremer serves on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MEDCAC), the Public Policy & Aging Report editorial board, and on steering and advisory committees for the National Institute on Aging (NIA) IMbedded Pragmatic AD/ADRD Clinical Trials (IMPACT) Collaboratory, the CDC-funded NYU School of Medicine BOLD Public Health Center of Excellence on Early Detection of Dementia and University of Minnesota Public Health Center of Excellence on Dementia Caregiving, the CDC National Healthy Brain Initiative Tribal Project (American Indian and Alaska Native Resource Center for Brain Health), the NIA-funded Hopkins’ Economics of Alzheimer’s Disease and Services (HEADS) Center and the WeCareAdvisor Study, the UCLA Dementia Care Study, the Alzheimer’s Disease Patient and Caregiver Engagement (AD PACE) initiative, the Dementia Friendly America initiative, and the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative Champions Cabinet.

Previously, Kremer served on the steering committees for the NIH’s 2017 and 2020 National Research Summit on Care, Services, and Supports for Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers, the CDC Healthy Brain Initiative’s (HBI) Leadership Committee developing the 20-18-2023 and the 2023-2027 Public Health Roadmaps, and the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Prescription Drug User Fee Act Stakeholders Working Groups for PDUFA VI and PDUFA VII. Kremer was an external reviewer for the 2021 National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine report, “Meeting the Challenge of Caring for Persons Living with Dementia and Their Care Partners and Caregivers: A Way Forward.” Kremer also has served on steering and advisory committees for a wide variety of organizations and projects including the International Collaboration for Real-World Evidence in Alzheimer’s Disease in the US (ICARE-AD-US) Study, the Gerontological Society of America Workgroup on Cognitive Impairment Detection and Earlier Diagnosis, the PCORI Dementia Research Methods project, the Brain Health Partnership, the Alzheimer’s Disease Partnership for Evidence and Value (AD EVAL), and Dementia Alliance International. Kremer holds degrees from Washington University in Saint Louis and the University of Michigan School of Law.