Welcome
There are at least 5.6 million people currently living with dementia in the United States, and .6 million of those individuals are below the age of 65. Alzheimer’s/dementia touches almost every family, bringing a host of significant challenges for the person with dementia and their loved ones. Dementia awareness is woefully behind the upward trending numbers of those being diagnosed, and families are rarely prepared to handle the care they will undoubtedly need to arrange for or provide.
For businesses, it is a virtual guarantee that a percentage of your customers have dementia, and possibly some of your employees. It also means that a percentage of your employees are providing care to a loved one with dementia. The financial costs of dementia are pretty catastrophic - $780+ billion annually, a large portion of which goes to medical expenses, long-term care, and professional caregivers at home. But there is also significant cost to foregone earnings as employees must take more time off and leaves of absence in order to care for their loved ones. There is also reduced spending by those with dementia as quality of life and abilities decline.
Alzheimer’s and dementia education is critical for individuals, families, and businesses.
About Me
I am a Certified Dementia Practitioner with over 18 years of experience in senior care, and a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park. As a dementia consultant and coach, I work with individuals, families, and businesses to provide education, support, and coaching to increase dementia awareness, teach dementia care strategies, and promote dementia-friendly businesses. In addition, I provide staff training and ongoing education in memory care, assisted living, home care, and adult day programs to enhance person-centered, meaningful engagement for those living with Alzheimer's/dementia and other life-limiting illnesses.
Caring for loved ones with dementia presents a unique set of demands - everything from communication difficulties, managing challenging behaviors, dealing with out-of-state family members, avoiding caregiver stress and burnout, determining costs and budget, and more. Dementia coaching can help families navigate this difficult journey, care for themselves along the way, and create moments of meaning and joy with their loved one in what may often seem like a joyless situation.
For businesses, corporate dementia awareness education helps employees recognize signs of dementia in customers and provide appropriate services, leading to improved customer satisfaction. Dementia education and coaching also contribute to employee satisfaction, productivity, and retention by supporting employee caregivers as part of a comprehensive employee wellness program. Businesses who earn this dementia-friendly status differentiate themselves among their competition as they support their employees, customers, and their communities.
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As a guest speaker, I provide a variety of educational and wellness seminars for professional groups, businesses, caregiver groups, and the community on topics such as Stress Management, Improving Memory & Cognition, Alzheimer’s and Dementia 101, The Necessity of Self-Care, The Power of Music for Wellness and Healing, Mental Health & Wellness, Social Wellness, and more. (See "Services" page for current speaking topics).
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I also work as an independent contractor providing geriatric care management for clients facing a dementia or other serious diagnosis, change in condition, or a health crisis, helping them and their families determine care needs and goals and putting a plan of care and appropriate resources in place.
In 2019, I published my first book: The Miracle of Music - Stories of Hope, Understanding, and Inspiration (available on Amazon). This book was born out of my work as a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Therapeutic Music Consultant. I have been a writer all my life, but mostly tons of poetry and some short stories. I always thought my first book would be a book of poems, but God had something different in mind and led me to so many special individuals who have been the inspiration for this book. If you are a caregiver for someone with a life-limiting illness, if you love reading about the power of music, if you work in ministry or volunteer, or if you enjoy reading inspirational stories, this book is for you. My goal is actually to start a movement - to inspire every reader to share the miracle of music with those in need around them.
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Here's a bit more about my background:
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I've been a singer and guitarist for most of life, performing at various venues as well as serving in music ministry. I currently live in Maryland with my husband, and I have six grown children. I am available for coaching, speaking engagements, book signings, and seminars.
