Curriculum Vitae

CURRENT POSITIONS
2009-Present   Adjunct Professor School of Nursing and Midwifery, College of Health and Science University of Western Australia
2007-present   Alzheimer's Expert for www.caring.com
2003-present   Alzheimer's Consultant EPOCH Senior Living, Waltham, MA.
2001-present   Geriatric consultant, Land o Lakes FL. & Prague, Czech Republic

EDUCATION
1983   M.S.W., University of Minnesota, Minnesota
1982   Internship, Hertfordshire Social Service, Hatfield, England
1978   B.A. Sociology/Social Work, Ithaca College, Ithaca, New York, Summa Cum Laude

ACHIEVEMENTS
• Employed in the long-term-care industry for over 35 years
• Developed unique programs for people with mild, moderate and advanced dementia
• Author of two books related to dementia and numerous articles and book chapters
• Nationally and internationally acclaimed speaker
• Alzheimer's expert for on-line caregiver service
• Developed Namaste Care a special program for people with advanced dementia
• Initiated a children's program to teach elementary school children about aging
  and memory loss
• Wrote and implemented The Memory Enhancement Program for Assisted Living
  Communities throughout the United States
• Assisted in the implementation of Namaste Care in aged care facilities in Australia
• Involved in Namaste research project in Sydney Australia

EXPERIENCE

2007 - present Expert Consultant for Dementia. Provides answers submitted
regarding dementia for Caring.com.

2001 - present   Geriatric Consultant, Land O'Lakes, Florida.
Provides consultation services to skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities.
Professional speaker for health care related organizations.
Developing Namaste, a holistic program for people with advanced dementia.

2002-2003   Morningside Management, Leesburg, Virginia
Queen of Life Enrichment
Full-time consultant for assisted living management company. Developed and installed
the Memory Enhancement Program in six assisted living communities. Implemented the
Life Enrichment Program and Memory Lane Program for the company. Presented
marketing events and professional seminars and was a member of the senior
management team for long-term company development.

1997 - 2001   Carematrix Corporation, Needham, Massachusetts
Vice President, Alzheimer's and Residential Services
Responsible for developing programs and services for Sara's Garden, the CareMatrix Alzheimer's Special Care Centers. Responsible for writing the Alzheimer's policies and procedures. Provided training programs for facility staff. Supported the marketing department through public relations events and seminars. Seminars included topics of interest to caregivers, professionals, referral sources, clergy and police officers. Provided public relations support through radio and television appearances. Gave interviews to newspaper publications. Wrote articles for professional and caregiver publications. Developed the first memory enhancement programs for people with early Alzheimer's disease or Mild Cognitive Impairment. Initiated an Alzheimer's educational program for children.

1994 - 1997   Marriott International, Senior Living Services, Washington, DC
National Director, Alzheimer's and Special Programs
Responsible for writing the Special Care Alzheimer's Centers policies and procedures. Provided training for faculty staff. Developed services and programs for residents in Independent Living, Assisted Living and Health Care Communities. Developed standards of care for the activities department and social services staff. Wrote the Alzheimer's Day Program and Our Place, a special activity program for health care residents with dementia. Devised the "Lifestyle Approach" for activity programming.

1993 - 1994   Manor HealthCare Corporation, Silver Spring, Maryland
National Director, Alzheimer's Services
Responsible for providing clinical support, training and education, product development, and marketing for Alzheimer's services. Monitored customer satisfaction and program integrity nationwide.

1990 - 1993   The Hillhaven Corporation, Lexington, Massachusetts
Regional Specialty Program Consultant
Responsible for special program development, including market and financial feasibility, program implementation, quality assurance and program development in thirteen states. Present workshops and seminars to various professional organizations. Provided training to facility staff. Implemented Alzheimer's Special Care Units, established a Hospice Palliative Program, designed and was the lead author on the Alzheimer's Activity Manual. Implemented the Stroke Recovery Program.

1986 - 1989   ARA Living Centers, Houston, Texas
Corporate Director of Social Service and Activity Programs
Responsible for Activity and Social Service programs in 26 nursing homes. Supervised eight activity and social service consultants. Wrote the social service and activity manuals. Produced a monthly publication for activity directors, and a quarterly publication for social workers. Worked with and assisted corporate marketing and public relations departments special projects. Developed annual "Trick or Treat" Safety Program, Expanded Junior/Senior Games to 85% of ARA Living Centers, developed and co-authored Social Service manual, assisted with the development and implementation of a Huntington's Disease Unit and developed Alzheimer's Units, Rehab Programs and the private pay "Silver Key Club."

1983 - 1986   Beverly Enterprises, Heritage Division, Rockville, Maryland
Assistant Coordinator, Resident Activities and Social Services
Consultation to Social Service and Activity Staff in sixty facilities throughout the country. Assisted with the development and implementation of revenue enhancing programs.

1979 - 1983   Westwood Nursing Home, St. Louis Park, Minnesota
Director of Social Services
Supervisor for two social workers and one case aid in this 212-bed ICF/SNF facility. Responsible for admissions, discharge, planning, counseling, and in-service presentations. Major accomplishments - wrote and facilitated the first stroke support group and developed and taught a dancing class to the disabled elderly.

1978 - 1979   Reconstruction Home, Ithaca, New York
Social Worker
Responsible for admissions and discharges. Performed all duties and tasks related to social services.