Alzheimer`s Disease/Expert Profile

Expertise

As a nurse and dementia consultant, I can answer most questions on all types of dementia. If I cannot answer your question, I will attempt to find someone who can. My passion is to help caregivers of people with dementia, which in turn helps all those wonderful elders with dementia live better lives. When caregivers are better educated, they are able to better care for themselves and their loved ones, so education is key to decreased stress levels and healthier, happier families.

Experience in the area

I have worked as a nurse in various disciplines of nursing for over 20 years, most of which was with the elderly. I was a health care coordinator in a dementia dedicated assisted living facility for 4 years before I started my own business (M.I.N.D. in Memory Care) as a dementia consultant six years ago. As a dementia consultant, I help families nationwide through phone conference calls as they struggle to care for their loved ones with dementia.

Organizations

Alzheimer's Foundation of America Geriatric Interest Network Sigma Theta Tau International

Publications

Published "Love, Laughter, & Mayhem - Caregiver Survival Manual For Living With A Person With Dementia" which is a collection of stories about people with dementia I have known, loved and worked with. Every story has a lesson to teach and this book gently teaches family caregivers lessons about how to better care for their loved one, as well as themselves during their caregiving journey. Published "Love, Laughter, & Mayhem In Eldercare Facilities: The Master Key For Dementia Training" Created "Bringing Nurturing To Memory Care" staff dementia training video Created Ebook: "Hair Stylist's Helpful Tips For Working With People With Alzheimer's & Other Dementias"

Education/Credentials

Registered Nurse with Bachelor's degree in Nursing; Certified Dementia Practitioner; Author of 2 books and an ebook

Awards and Honors

Sigma Theta Tau National Honor Society of Nursing

What do you like about this subject?

I love seeing how I can improve the quality of life for people with dementia as well as their families as they struggle to care for them. Sometimes it's just a simple thing to do, or stop doing, that makes such a huge difference.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

I believe most people with dementia reach a point where they are relatively content--as long as they're not being made to do something they don't want to do. If they're not clinically depressed, or have a co-existing psychiatric problem, I believe they live in the moment. The caregivers however, suffer on a daily basis as they are forced to watch their loved one die one brain cell at a time.