All Home Care Matters Enriched Life Home Care Services

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Bruce McIntyre, CEO of the Oklahoma Parkinson's Alliance and Kristin Rossi the CEO of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation as guests to the show.
 
About Bruce McIntyre:
 
Bruce McIntyre serves as the CEO of the Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance. He is the author of five books: Receiving Peace, Thrive Anyway, Parkinson Positive, Graceful Transitions, and Resilient Life. Bruce shares his expert guidance and warm humor with thousands of people each year. He has keynoted such events as the 2016 National Caregiving Conference in Chicago, the 2019 Regional Caregiver Conference SW, as well as over 100 disease conferences, caregiving gatherings, and church events. As a caregiver for his wife since 2004, Bruce understands the world of chronic illness and caregiving. He earned a Master of Divinity in 2002 and has led the Caregiver Fundamentals Project in Oklahoma City and served family caregivers as a church, business, and nonprofit leader. You can learn more about him at BruceMcIntyre.com.
 
The Oklahoma Parkinson’s Alliance works to inspire hope and transform life for people with Parkinson’s in Oklahoma. With offices in OKC, Tulsa and Lawton, the Alliance offers almost 90 support, exercise and voice groups across the state as well as free family consultations, education events and research opportunities. .
 
About Kristin Rossi:
 
Kristin Rossi is the Chief Executive Officer of the Michigan Parkinson Foundation. Kristin has spent the last 16 years in nonprofit leadership. She earned her Masters of Public Administration with a focus on nonprofit management from Western Michigan University and has worked with various areas of the nonprofit sector from university foundations to the social sector to arts and culture and currently a statewide voluntary health foundation. Prior to taking the helm at the Michigan Parkinson Foundation, Kristin worked for many years at the Alzheimer’s Association where she developed a passion for neurodegenerative diseases, the effect they have on families, and the importance of ensuring that families and caregivers connect with community resources and support so that no one feels isolated or alone.
 
She loves working with and learning from older adults and is committed to supporting healthy aging initiatives across the state of Michigan and beyond. Kristin believes that the nonprofit sector truly has an opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and has dedicated her career to making in impact in this arena. In her free time, Kristin enjoys reading, all things Italian, traveling and spending as much time as possible with her husband and two small children. 

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Angela Fairhurst the Founder & CEO of Geri-Gadgets as guest to the show.
 
About Angela Fairhurst:
 
Angela Fairhurst is a seasoned entrepreneur with a passion for innovation. As the CEO and Founder of Geri-Gadgets®, Angela has carved out a niche in the realm of senior care with her groundbreaking patented products. Angela's expertise spans multiple domains; She’s a seasoned television and event producer, and an Executive in Charge of Production at Fairhurst Productions, Inc, and former Executive Director of the Chambers Group, a consumer products marketing firm. Now she's bringing her wealth of experience and creativity to the forefront of dementia care.
 
About Geri-Gadgets®:
 
Geri-Gadgets® leads the way in providing safe, sensory, and sustainable silicone products tailored for individuals with Alzheimer's, dementia, and cognitive issues. Our innovative solutions redefine caregiving by enhancing engagement, minimizing fall risks, providing caregiver relief and improving behaviors.
 
These groundbreaking solutions come in three distinct patented buckets, each tailored to address the unique needs of these adults. From the hands-on stimulation of the manipulatives in the Fidget Gidget Bucket to the sustainable and stimulating pieces of the Shapes Bucket, and the therapeutic sensory colorful flowers, leaves and vase of the Flower Bucket, Geri-Gadgets® offers a comprehensive approach to enhancing well-being. With a commitment to non-pharmacological methods, Geri-Gadgets® offers transformative options to support individuals and their caregivers, bringing joy and improving quality of life for all concerned.
 
 
Connect with Lance A. Slatton:
 
Official Website:
 
https://www.lanceaslatton.com
 
Connect with All Home Care Matters:
 
Official Website:
 
https://www.allhomecarematters.com
 

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Esther Kane and Debbie Elkins from The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD).

 
About The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration (AFTD):

 
Online at theaftd.org, AFTD is the largest national nonprofit devoted to providing resources to help families affected by FTD today, and advancing research to foster accurate diagnosis, treatments, and a cure. Our volunteer founded organization – driven by thousands of volunteers and donors – reflects a community's profound determination to #endFTD. With the FTD Disorders Registry, we are proud to partner with families, researchers, biopharma companies, state and federal policymakers, and health professionals across the country to improve care for people and families facing FTD – efforts that could ultimately be importance to all facing dementia or neurodegenerative disease.

 
 
About Esther Kane, MSN, RN-CDP:

 
 
Esther Kane, MSN, RN-CDP joined AFTD as its Director of Support and Education in November 2020. Previously, Esther served as Director of Wellness at CareOne Management, a company that provides elder-care services throughout the Northeast U.S. She brings clinical, educational, managerial, and marketing skills along with a passion for quality care for those who are living with neurological conditions. Her work reflects a strong commitment to the importance of education and training throughout the spectrum of diagnosis and delivery of quality care.

 
 
At AFTD, Esther ensures that support services and educational programs advance early diagnosis and improve access to quality care and effective support, and that that clinical information provided to healthcare professionals and the AFTD community is current and evidence-based.

 
 
Debbie Elkins, RN and AFTD Ambassador for West Virginia:

 
 
After her husband’s journey to an FTD diagnosis, Debbie became an AFTD volunteer and hosted her first Food for Thought fundraiser. With a passion to raise awareness in her community and to make connections with others in rural areas of West Virginia and southeast Ohio, Debbie was invited to become an Ambassador in 2023.

 
 
Working with AFTD staff, she began provider outreach visits hoping to connect the local medical community and others to AFTD. As a registered nurse, Debbie hopes to use her voice to bring FTD awareness to the public, provide education, and point families to the “gold mine” of resources and support that AFTD offers.

Conscious Caregiving with L & L is "Tackling the Tough Conversations."
 
The topic of this episode is "Dementia Influencers" and features an All-Star Panel.
 
Norman McNamara, Living with Dementia, Founder of the Purple Angel
 
Rev. Katie Norris, Montessori Based Dementia Care Practitioner, Owner of Recourse Coaching:
 
She is a Trauma-Informed Montessori dementia care specialist for 14 years and is an AMI Montessori for Aging and Dementia Practitioner. She is the primary author of Creative Connections in Dementia Care and she teaches Montessori care to family members, care communities, and home health agencies. She is also a family dementia care partner as her father has Alzheimer’s and her mother had Lewy Body Dementia.
 
Vicki de Klerk-Rubin, Executive Director of the Validation Training Institute:
 
Vicki de Klerk-Rubin is the Executive Director of the Validation Training Institute and a certified Validation Master Teacher. She is the author of Validation Techniques for Dementia Care and Validation for First Responders. Together with her mother Naomi Feil, the founder of the Validation method, she co-authored the revisions of Validation: The Feil Method and The Validation Breakthrough.
 
Dr. Jennifer Bute, Living with Dementia, International Advocate:
 
Dr Jennifer Bute, worked in Africa as a doctor before working as a GP for 25 years involved in medical education. And was an honorary lecturer at Southampton university, She had to take early retirement when diagnosed with dementia but continues to use her skills She speaks at conferences, on radio, and has been spoken on International radio and appeared on UK television programmes raising awareness and understanding of dementia. She passionately believes more can be done to improve both the present and the future for those living with dementia. Her book ‘Dementia from the Inside".
 
Mary Underwood, Dementia Care Specialist. Founder of Empowermentia:
 
Mary Underwood is a social worker who has been in the field of memory care for over 35 years. She has worked in a variety of settings including home care, adult day programs, assisted living and nursing homes. Over the years, she has developed innovative programs and training sessions.
 
Cyndy Luzinski, Executive Director of Dementia Together - MS, RN, L® Practitioner:
 
Cyndy Hunt Luzinski is an advanced practice nurse with a nursing background which ranges from critical care to community case management. In honor of her dad, she founded Dementia Together, a nonprofit organization in Northern Colorado which offers education, enrichment, and hope.
 
Laurie Scherrer, International Advocate, DAA Executive Board Member and Programs Director:
 
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.
 
Debbie DeMoss Compton, CEO & Founder, The Purple Vine LLC:
 
Debbie Compton is a three-time caregiver for parents with different forms of Dementia. She is a Certified Caregiving Consultant and Advocate, Educator for the Alzheimer’s Assoc., speaker, and author of 10 books. Debbie founded The Purple Vine, whose mission is to empower caregivers to reduce stress, block burnout, and laugh again. Debbie’s latest work is a collaboration book titled The Caregiver’s Advocate, A Complete Guide to Support and Resources, produced by Brave Healer Productions and available for purchase in early July 2024.
 
Ellen Belk, BC-DEd, CDP, Silver Living Strategist. Founder of Keep In Mind, Inc. & Creator of The Keep In Mind Dementia Education Community:
 
Ellen Belk is a board-certified Dementia educator, Holistic Dementia care solutions expert and founding owner of Keep In Mind, Inc. A sought

The Caregiver's Journal hosted by Lance A. Slatton with Cindy (PT) & Christina (ST) Hardin-Weiss.
 

The Caregiver's Journal is the show where we are sharing the caregiving experiences, stories, and wisdom of family caregivers.
 

Chapter 4 - "Navigating Care":

In this journal entry, we welcomed Lisa Nigro who shared her caregiving journey and how she is "Navigating Care".

 
About Lisa Nigro:

 
Lisa Nigro has always served marginalized communities, beginning with her work in the Chicago Police Department and continuing with her work in founding the Inspiration Corporation, which has served the homeless community of Chicago for the last 30 years. Currently, she is a full-time caregiver to her son, who suffered a brain injury in 2015, leading her to advocate for the disabled community.

 
In 2010, Lisa was awarded the Presidential Citizens Medal for her ongoing community work and has been featured in magazines such as People, Mirabella, and, most recently, Parade.
 

She has proven that one person can lead the way to making a difference in the lives of others.
 
 

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton welcome Eric Kolb as a guest to the show.
 
Eric Kolb and his wife, Sheryl, founded Songs & Smiles in 2020. Building on lessons learned during their own experience caring for Sheryl’s mom, Trish, the couple started the nonprofit organization to help families navigate the challenges of the Alzheimer’s journey. Eric and Sheryl met and got married during college in Illinois. They have lived in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1994.
 
As the organization’s Executive Director, Eric oversees day-to-day operations. He has presented more than 800 in-person singalong shows at care homes, and his online singalong videos are enjoyed by people around the world. Eric has been singing his whole life: in choirs, in musicals, at church, at weddings, and at numerous sporting events.
 
Eric previously worked in public relations and publishing, including positions at ClubCorp Publications and the Texas Rangers Baseball Club. He brainstormed with former co-workers to develop Joyful Memories, a dementia-friendly magazine.