The moment a loved one lands in long‑term care, everything feels urgent and unclear. We’ve been there—rushed discharges, impossible forms, promises that don’t match reality—and we wanted a straight answer on what legal accountability looks like when neglect or abuse causes real harm. That’s why we sat down with elder abuse attorney Anthony Lanzone to map the path from pain to action without sugarcoating the struggle.

In Episode 113, we talk about why nursing home cases are so hard, what families can realistically expect, and how accountability actually happens. We share the steps to document harm, find the right lawyer, and protect your peace of mind while you pursue justice.

• systemic barriers that shield long-term care providers
• why elder neglect requires proof beyond simple negligence
• how damages caps shape which cases lawyers can take
• settlements versus trials and real risk trade-offs
• punitive damages and when they apply
• CMS liens and how they reduce awards
• practical steps to document abuse or neglect
• where to file complaints if you cannot sue
• why memorializing misconduct still matters

Contact Anthony Lanzone:  Email: [email protected]
Phone: 888-887-9777

LINKEDIN

#LoveConquersAlz, #ElderCare, #ElderLaw, #NursingHomeReform, #ElderAbuseAwareness, #SeniorAdvocacy, #LongTermCare, #JusticeForOurElders, #PeopleOverProfit, #HealthPodcast, #AdvocacyPodcast

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If you’ve ever left a doctor’s appointment wondering what was said—or wished your siblings understood how much you’re doing—this conversation is a must-listen.

In episode 112, Susie and Don sit down with Crystal Gallo, founder of innerhive—a groundbreaking app using AI to help caregivers capture, organize, and share vital information while staying present for the people they love.

From preventing burnout to improving family communication, Crystal shares how Innerhive was born from her own caregiving experience and designed to bring clarity and connection to one of life’s most chaotic and emotional journeys. Together, they explore how technology can enhance humanity—not replace it—and why wellness, empathy, and smarter tools are key to transforming the caregiving experience.

Email: [email protected], [email protected] 

Facebook   Instagram  Website    Linkedin      Personal Linkedin

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In this powerful episode of Love Conquers Alz, Susie Singer Carter and Don Priess sit down with Neal K. Shah, visionary founder and CEO of CareYaya, a groundbreaking platform that connects families with compassionate, college-educated student caregivers. Neal shares how his personal caregiving journey inspired him to reimagine elder care, creating affordable, dignified, and deeply human support that benefits both older adults and the next generation of healthcare professionals.

Together, they explore the urgent need to bridge generational divides, destigmatize dementia, and cultivate empathy in future doctors and nurses by immersing them in real-life caregiving experiences. 

Neal also opens up about his new book, "Insured to Death", which takes aim at the rising crisis of AI-driven healthcare claim denials and the devastating toll they take on patients and families.

From stories of students forming life-changing bonds with people living with dementia, to hard truths about our broken long-term care and insurance systems, this conversation is both eye-opening and hopeful. It’s a reminder that caregiving—when rooted in love, purpose, and community—has the power to transform lives.

Counterforce Health

Careyaya.org

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This episode launches Season 10 of Love Conquers Alz 🎙️! And fittingly, we’re celebrating the 10th anniversary of Alz Authors, the global community changing the dementia narrative one book at a time.  My co-host,  Don Priess and I sit down with Marianne Sciucco and Christy Byrne Yates to reflect on a decade of impact — from books to podcasts to their brand-new film festival.

What began as a one-month blog has grown into a worldwide network of 400+ storytellers sharing authentic experiences of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Together we explore:

• How one story can change a life, and how hundreds can change a culture.
• Why storytelling across genres — memoir, fiction, children’s books, podcasts, and film — matters.
• The importance of curating authentic voices and supporting new authors.
• Practical encouragement for anyone ready to share their journey.

This milestone episode is a joyful reminder that storytelling is activism — and that love, creativity, and community truly Conquer Alz!

Marianne Sciucco (RN, author of Blue Hydrangeas) and Christy Byrne Yates (MS, psychologist and author of Building a Legacy of Love) co-host the AlzAuthors Podcast and bring lived caregiving wisdom to a global community of 400+ storytellers. AlzAuthors curates books, podcasts, and now films that transform the way we understand Alzheimer’s and dementia.

🎙️ Guest & Organization Contacts

Marianne Sciucco — Co-founder, AlzAuthors; author of Blue Hydrangeas
🌐 mariannesciucco.com
📱 Instagram: @mariannesciucco

📘 Facebook: Marianne Sciucco

Christy Byrne Yates, MS — Licensed Educational Psychologist; author of Building a Legacy of Love
🌐 christyyates.com

📱 Instagram: @christybyates

📘 Facebook: Christy Byrne Yates

AlzAuthors — Global community of Alzheimer’s & dementia storytellers
🌐 alzauthors.com

✉️ [email protected]

🎧 AlzAuthors Podcast

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Every caregiver knows the feeling—overwhelmed by endless to-do lists, struggling to coordinate help from well-meaning family members, and searching desperately for reliable information at 3 AM. Nicole àBeckett lived this reality when she lost both parents in her thirties, emerging from what she calls "the washing machine" of caregiving determined to create a solution.

As co-founder of Hero Generation, Nicole has built what many caregivers only dream of: a comprehensive platform that organizes the chaos. In this candid conversation, she reveals how the platform's three pillars—organization, resources, and community—transform the caregiving experience. The system allows users to store vital information, delegate tasks to helpers, access expert guidance, and connect with others on similar journeys.

What makes this episode particularly powerful is the shared understanding Don and I with Nicole about caregiving's hidden challenges. We discuss the moment you realize you're a caregiver (often long after you've taken on the role), the difficulty of navigating healthcare systems not designed to support family care providers, and the profound isolation that comes with the territory.

Beyond practical solutions, the conversation explores how caregiving, despite its heartbreak, offers precious moments of connection. As Nicole reflects, "Having cared for my mom, I wouldn't change that for anything." Hero Generation aims to minimize stress so caregivers can be fully present during these meaningful interactions.

The discussion also touches on broader themes of civic engagement and advocacy, emphasizing how collective action drives systemic change. Whether caring for aging parents, managing children's needs, or even coordinating pet care (a surprising use case for the platform), Hero Generation demonstrates how technology can strengthen rather than replace human connection.

Ready to transform your caregiving journey? Listen now, and discover resources that might just make tomorrow a little easier. And don't forget to watch "No Country for Old People" on Amazon starting August 1st to join the movement for better long-term care systems.

Connect with Nicole on Social Media:

LINKEDIN

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

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Alzheimer's and elder care demand our attention not just because millions endure them, but because the systems that are supposed to protect our most vulnerable are fundamentally broken. In light of the upcoming release of our documentary, No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé, August 1st on Amazon, my producing partner and today's guest host, Rick Mountcastle (whose work prosecuting Purdue Pharma was dramatized in Hulu's "Dopesick") and I are turning our focus on elder abuse.  

In this powerful episode, we're joined by Richard Routman, whose 14-year career at the Department of Health and Human Services gave him a front-row seat to nursing home neglect cases, pulls back the curtain on why elder abuse persists despite seemingly robust regulations. The reality is sobering: residents fear retaliation if they report mistreatment, staff worry about losing jobs if they speak up, and facility administrators actively obstruct investigations by altering records or instructing employees to "forget" incidents when questioned by surveyors. Meanwhile, the regulatory landscape remains fragmented between federal agencies, state surveyors, Adult Protective Services, and law enforcement—creating dangerous gaps where abuse reports disappear.

Most troubling is how money influences the entire system. The nursing home industry spends hundreds of millions annually on political contributions and lobbying, effectively buying themselves protection from meaningful reform. As Richard notes, ordinary citizens advocating for better care are "fighting with sticks" while the industry fights "with guns."

Yet this conversation offers hope through specific action steps. Every county has a Commission on Aging that citizens can join to question officials and advocate for improved oversight. Families should learn their rights regarding documenting care—in many cases, they can legally record conditions despite what staff might claim. Most importantly, Richard reminds us that cultural change starts with rejecting the ageism that treats elder abuse as somehow less urgent than child abuse.

Don't miss our documentary "No Country for Old People" launching on Amazon August 1st. Until then, remember that knowledge, community action, and love remain our most powerful tools against a system that too often fails those who built our world.

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Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT for quality long term care! Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

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Could artificial intelligence be the solution to our eldercare crisis? In this riveting episode, we dive deep into the intersection of technology and compassionate care with Breana Patel, founder and CEO of Owie AI.

The statistics are sobering – we're facing a projected shortage of half a million nurses within the next decade while our aging population grows exponentially. But Breana's innovative approach offers a ray of hope in what can seem like an overwhelming challenge. Her company is developing contactless AI monitoring systems that can predict patient needs, prevent adverse events, and reduce the administrative burden on already overwhelmed caregivers.

Imagine a world where technology can alert staff before a fall occurs, detect early signs of dehydration, or recognize when a non-verbal patient is in distress. These aren't futuristic dreams but tangible solutions Breana's team is currently piloting in healthcare facilities. What makes this approach revolutionary is its focus on enhancing rather than replacing human care – giving caregivers more time for meaningful interactions by automating documentation and routine monitoring.

We explore the profound implications for transparency in long-term care, how AI might serve as a digital companion for isolated residents, and the careful privacy considerations built into these systems. Breana shares her personal motivation behind founding Owie AI after witnessing a loved one's complications from undetected health events, highlighting how technology can help prevent similar situations for countless families.

As our society grapples with policy decisions that will fundamentally shape eldercare for decades to come, innovations like these represent our best hope for creating dignified, quality care for all. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation about how artificial intelligence might become our most powerful tool in ensuring no one is forgotten or neglected in their vulnerable years.

Want to learn more about the challenges facing our long-term care system? Watch our documentary "No Country for Old People," releasing August 1st on Amazon.

CONTACT BREANA PATEL

OWIE AI

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What happens when your caregiving journey is complicated by family betrayal, mental illness, and profound loss? Meet Sheri Smith, a resilient entrepreneur whose life took unexpected turns when faced with both her mother's dementia and her husband's bipolar disorder simultaneously.

Sheri's new memoir "Mama Drama: A Journey with Bipolar and Dementia, Finding Light Through Loss and Grief" chronicles her extraordinary path from running a successful catering business and owning an oceanfront castle in Hawaii to navigating the heartbreaking terrain of cognitive decline (her mother) and mental health challenges (her spouse). Her story reveals the devastating reality many caregivers face when family dynamics turn toxic—in Sheri's case, a cousin who prevented her from seeing her mother during her final days.

The conversation delves into painful parallels between caring for someone with dementia and someone with untreated bipolar disorder. As Sherry candidly shares, "I made every mistake in the book because I simply didn't know better." This raw honesty about her attempts to "fix" situations beyond her control resonates deeply with anyone who has blamed themselves for not handling caregiving perfectly.

Despite these enormous challenges, Sheri transformed her pain into purpose through writing. Her journey from confusion and self-blame to understanding and advocacy offers a roadmap for others navigating similar terrain. By sharing both mistakes and triumphs, she creates space for caregivers to forgive themselves and find strength even when outcomes aren't what they hoped for.

Have you experienced family conflicts while caring for a loved one with dementia? Share your story and connect with our supportive community dedicated to finding light even in the darkest caregiving moments.

For updates and releases, visit:
Follow Sheri Smith

Other ways to connect:

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What happens when a former federal judge faces an Alzheimer's diagnosis? For Stephanie Duncan-Peters and her husband Richard James, it becomes an opportunity to showcase remarkable resilience, joy, and a refreshing perspective on living with cognitive change.

In Episode 105,  Don and I have a deeply moving and uplifting conversation with Stephanie, whose impressive career spans nearly 20 years as a District of Columbia Superior Court judge appointed by President George H.W. Bush. 

Far from letting her diagnosis define her, Stephanie has recently published a children's book, "The Blue-Footed Booby Blues," about a dancing bird who loves to travel—mirroring her own passions.

The couple shares how they met through dance lessons 12 years ago and continue to dance together today, demonstrating how activities that build "cognitive reserve" can remain accessible and joyful despite Alzheimer's. Their calm, matter-of-fact approach to the diagnosis stems partly from Stephanie's previous experience supporting a Harvard Law professor friend through his Alzheimer's journey.

We explore fascinating concepts like cognitive reserve—how certain skills and passions often persist longer in people with dementia—and the way Alzheimer's can paradoxically create what host I call "the ultimate state of Zen," fostering heightened presence and appreciation for the now.

Richard offers valuable insights from the care partner perspective, discussing how unexpected connections in his community led to crucial support resources. Their story beautifully illustrates how love, resilience, and maintaining meaningful activities create a fulfilling life even when facing significant health challenges.

Whether you're navigating dementia in your own family or simply seeking inspiration on facing life's unexpected turns with grace, this conversation will leave you with renewed hope and practical wisdom for the journey ahead. Listen now and discover how, as the podcast name suggests, Love truly Conquers Alz. :) 

Much Love,

Susie

Connect with Stephanie and Richard through Kayla Mancuso - [email protected] 

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In this episode of Love Conquers Alz, Don and I sit down with Kristina Hayes, the inspiring founder of Waltz Through Life. Kristina shares her journey of using dance, movement, and creativity to support individuals and families navigating the challenges of aging, dementia, and caregiving. Through her unique approach, she brings joy, connection, and healing to those who need it most. We explore the power of music, movement, and mindfulness in transforming the caregiving experience. 

I know how powerful dance has been in my life. It truly is my form of meditation. The healing power of music and movement for people with Alzheimer's radiates through this heartwarming conversation. For 15 years, Kristina has witnessed firsthand how dance transforms seniors in memory care, creating magical connections when words fail.

"Dancing to music is a shortcut to a person's heart and miracle medicine for Alzheimer's," Kristina explains, describing how residents who appear disengaged suddenly come alive when music plays. Her journey from ballroom dance instructor to therapeutic dance facilitator happened almost by accident, but has evolved into deeply meaningful work that challenges conventional approaches to dementia care.

The conversation weaves through fascinating science about why music reaches people with cognitive decline—it lights up more regions of the brain than any other sensory input and remains accessible even in advanced stages of memory loss. Suzy shares poignant stories about singing with her mother, who responded to music when other forms of communication had slipped away.

Beyond the therapeutic benefits, this episode explores larger questions about how society views aging and elder care. The hosts advocate for a movement that values and integrates older adults rather than marginalizing them. "We're all headed to the same place if we're lucky enough to live a long life," Kristina observes, making a powerful case for reconsidering how we approach our later years.

This isn't just a conversation about dementia care—it's about reconnecting with what makes us human at every stage of life. Whether you're a caregiver seeking new approaches or simply someone interested in the healing power of movement, this episode will inspire you to turn up the music, move your body, and connect with others across all boundaries of age and ability. 

Subscribe, share, and keep dancing—it's good for your brain, body, and soul!

Love,

Susie xo

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