In our Season Three Premiere (wow!!), Episode 43,  Don and I talked with the force that is Marianne Sciucco -a registered nurse who's cared for hundreds of dementia patients over a 20-year career.  Her novel, Blue Hydrangeas, an Alzheimer’s Love Story, is based on a couple she met through her work and is a testament to the power of love in the face of this heart wrenching disease. Marianne’s tender work of fiction brings consolation and understanding to all who encounter Alzheimer’s.
 
Ironically, two years after her novel’s publication, she started living her own story when her stepfather was diagnosed with mixed dementia: frontotemporal lobe, vascular, and Alzheimer’s.  As his Health Care Proxy and Power of Attorney, she became his medical, legal, and financial representative. At the same time, she became the same to her mother, who was suffering from heart failure and dementia caregiver PTSD.  

With her novel in place, it eventually morphed into her current project which is Alzauthors, a global community of over 300 writers who are writing about all dementia from their personal experience. She also launched her own podcast “Untangling Alzheimer’s and Dementia: An AlzAuthors Podcast”

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If someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’r

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Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walk

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In Episode 42, Don and I spoke with Swedish Caregiver, Patrick Berglund,  We "met" this angel after he watched our film, My Mom and The Girl, and reached out through social media to tell us how much he enjoyed it. And we have been friends ever since.

I have always been  struck by Patrick's dedication to caregiving and the pure joy it gives him.  I found it fascinating and beautiful that a young father -- without any family  living in a senior facility -- chose to make his living in Elder Care.  He definitely falls outside outside the American Caregiver box.

Patrick has been working in  elder care for almost 19 years. As he says, "To work with the elderly has been the best job in my life."  And, of course,  we delved into the moniker  - The Singing Nurse -  he was recently given by the Swedish Press.

In his spare time, Patrick is a team leader for a women's soccer team.   He lives with his wife and two daughters 24 and 17 years old in Sweden in a town called Motala, by the second largest lake Vättern.

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If someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’r

Support the show

No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé is STREAMING NOW on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r)

 Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

Please watch. Review. Share.

Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walk

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In episode 41, Don and I spoke to the absolutely delightful and dynamic Kennedy Loftin, Chief Development Officer at the Montrose Center, one of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ resource centers . Kennedy led the $26.5 million campaign to build The Law Harrington Senior Living Center, the nation’s largest, LGBTQ affirming senior housing center that opened on June 24, 2021.

In response to Hurricane Harvey, Kennedy launched the LGBTQ Hurricane Harvey Relief fund which raised $2.3 million to help the LGBTQ+ community recover from the disaster. In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Center launched a fund that has currently raised $2.1 million in funds focused on providing direct financial assistance to vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community. Kennedy is a founding member of Houston Mayor Sylvestor Turner’s LGBTQ Advisory Board, has served on several boards, and is a sought-after development educator and leader in the industry, with guest teaching at Rice University, Glasscock School Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership and the University of Houston.

Kennedy  was born in Houston, grew up in East Texas, and after experiencing housing insecurity following coming out to his family decided to channel his activism into nonprofit development impacting underserved communities. Kennedy began his career at Best Buddies Texas, an organization that serves people with intellectual disabilities, and became the Director of Special Events for Miami-based Best Buddies International. In 2006, Kennedy returned home to Houston to serve as executive director for Best Buddies Texas, and was the youngest executive director in the history of the organization. Kennedy became the Chief Development Officer for Interfaith Ministries in 2008. During his tenure, he led a $15 million capital campaign for the new Interfaith Conference Center and for the construction of the Meals on Wheels building which serves 4,500 seniors daily.

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If someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’r

Support the show

No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé is STREAMING NOW on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r)

 Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

Please watch. Review. Share.

Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walk

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While our population lives longer... caregivers get younger.
More millennials are becoming caregivers in their 20s and 30s. Of the over 40 million caregivers in the United States, one-fourth of them are millennials.  Like the incredible Lauren Dykovitz.

Lauren Dykovitz knew nothing about Alzheimer’s when her mother was diagnosed at the age of 62.  She was only 25 years old at the time.  By the time she was 28, she quit her full-time job and became a caregiver for her mom.

Lauren started the Life, Love, and Alzheimer’s blog and social media pages to document her journey and share her experience as a caregiver. She self-published her first book, Learning to Weather the Storm: A Story of Life, Love, and Alzheimer’s, in 2017 and is currently finishing up her second book, When Only Love Remains: Surviving My Mom’s Battle with Early Onset Alzheimer’s, which she plans on self-publishing in early summer 2021. Although her mom passed in April 2020, it is Lauren’s mission to help others on their Alzheimer’s journey by sharing stories and lessons from her personal experience. In many ways, she feels like she is just getting started!

Lauren lives in New Jersey with her husband and two black labs.

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If someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’r

Support the show

No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé is STREAMING NOW on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r)

 Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

Please watch. Review. Share.

Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walk

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In celebration of Pride Month 2021, we had the honor of speaking with Chris MacLellan, author of "What's The Deal With Caregiving?".   Christopher and his partner, Richard Schiffer,  were featured in a 2015 Pulitzer Prize-nominated caregiving story "In Sickness and Health; A Couple's Final Journey", that chronicled their journey of caregiving.  The story told of the challenges that LGBT partners have in dealing with the medical and legal system, but it also told of the love and joy that Richard’s last years had on their relationship.

The Whole Care Network™ has been a dream of Chris’ for quite some time.  He started The Whole Care Network based on his own experience as a working family caregiver and the passion that he has gained through advocacy and collaboration before, during and after caregiving ends. 

Christopher MacLellan is affectionately known nation-wide as The Bow Tie Guy in the vast network of family caregivers. He founded the Whole Care Network in 2016, presents regularly on topics that impact family Caregivers and now is Aging Gayfully after caregiving has ended.

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If someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’r

Support the show

No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé is STREAMING NOW on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r)

 Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

Please watch. Review. Share.

Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walk

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In Episode 38, Don and I speak with the incredibly inspirational, ANTHONY COPELAND PARKER. When Tony and his partner, Catherine Elizabeth Popp, were in their 50’s, they found that he needed a heart-valve replacement, and she had early-onset Alzheimer’s. They both had a history as endurance athletes, so their reaction to the news was to sell their home, retire from their jobs, and become nomads, running marathons and half- marathons all over the world. That's also when Tony began writing his blog, PlayHard-HaveFun.com.

Since then, he and his partner Catherine have traveled to 82 different countries. They have run at least a half-marathon in thirty-five countries and on all seven continents. Tony has also written a book, Running All Over The World, Our Race Against Early Onset Alzheimer’s. Due out June 15, 2021.

This is truly a special story. You will be moved and motivated to move!!

Love, Susie

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If someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’r

Support the show

No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé is STREAMING NOW on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r)

 Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

Please watch. Review. Share.

Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walk

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In Episode 37, Don and I have a fantastic conversation with DAN JAWORSKI - whose diagnosis a year and a half ago of Mild Cognitive Impairment hasn't slowed down him down one bit!

Dan is currently training for the 2021 Kona Ironman World Championship!  Dan's philosophy on life and how he chooses to embrace his challenges.

Dan is gifted with an enormous amount of inspiration and empowerment to share with everyone, including families on the dementia journey. You will lean into the sunnier side of your own life after listening to this episode! I promise!!! xoSusie

About: Learn more about IRONMAN Dan’s fundraising progress and who he is dedicating each mile of his IRONMAN to on his fundraising page for The Longest Day.
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If someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’r

Support the show

No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé is STREAMING NOW on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r)

 Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

Please watch. Review. Share.

Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walk

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In episode 36, we had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Judy Cornish, author, founder of the Dementia & Alzheimer’s Wellbeing Network (DAWN®), creator of the DAWN Method® of dementia care, and a retired elder law attorney. 

Judy is a maverick in the caregiving community and I hope you will take the time to listen and take notes! We could have talked for, at least, another 2 days!!

Her two books , The Dementia Handbook and Dementia With Dignity,  take person-centered dementia care from theory to practice by identifying the skills not lost to dementia. Through DAWN, Cornish provides online training programs for families and professional caregivers, as well as certification courses for agencies and facilities.  Judy's life work has been making dignified dementia care and aging in place available for all.

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If someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’r

Support the show

No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé is STREAMING NOW on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r)

 Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

Please watch. Review. Share.

Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walk

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In EP 35,  we spoke with  Marisa Pasquini, an international educator for caregivers who serve people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. She has spent the last 12 years developing strategies that help caregivers survive the challenges of caring for people with dementia. She takes an empathic approach in assessing the needs of clients with dementia and teaches caregiving skills that allow the caregiver to accept and enter into the persons' "New Reality." The goal of developing these skills is to decrease the fear experienced by people with dementia, helping them feel safe. Her methodology gives caregivers confidence, creates inclusion for people experiencing cognitive decline and an empowered way of being in relationship with them. Marisa is especially skilled at understanding the rhythm of the person with dementia, and focusing on the state of the caregiver who is overwhelmed, grieving and in need of self-care.

Marisa a Certified Alzheimer's and Aging Educator and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She's the founder of the National Home Care Academy  and provides certified training for professional caregivers, and support, education and consulting for family caregivers. Marisa is the author of the Amazon Best Seller, Surviving Dementia Without Losing Your Mind.


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If someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’r

Support the show

No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé is STREAMING NOW on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r)

 Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

Please watch. Review. Share.

Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walk

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Susanne White is the Founder of Caregiver Warrior and the author of the "Caregiver’s Little Guide to Survival!" and has found the most happiness in sharing her knowledge, wisdom, and experience as a Caregiver. She wants Caregivers to survive what she calls "this amazing roller coaster of a ride and be open to scream, cry, laugh, and finally arrive home after the ride of your lifetime".

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If someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’r

Support the show

No Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé is STREAMING NOW on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r)

 Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.

Please watch. Review. Share.

Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walk

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