As a hands-on caregiver for both of my parents (who lived to the ages of 89 and 98, respectively!), I know first-hand how rewarding, yet challenging it can be to care for an elderly family member.
My caregiving journey began the day I went to see my elderly parents for lunch and noticed my mom was slurring her words.
Fearing that she was having a stroke, we made a mad dash to the Emergency Room.
Four days and about a million tests later, she was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme.
That’s fancy medical-speak for a “terminal brain tumor.” Mom was given 4 – 6 weeks to live, but we were blessed to have her with us for almost more three months.
Our lives had upended in a matter of seconds, and I was woefully unprepared to assume a caregiving role.
I had no idea what resources existed for my parents, what future needs she or my then-93-year-old father would have, or how I was going to help her and Dad through her illness.
As they say, I jumped in with both feet and learned on the fly.
That’s why I am so passionate about providing practical information and useful solutions for seniors through SeniorSafetyAdvice.com.
I am a military wife (married to Mike – U. S. Air Force, retired, after 20 years of service) and the proud mom of two great (adult) kids.
I’m also a breast cancer survivor, a romance author, and a runner with one marathon and numerous half marathons under my running belt.
I received a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Indiana Wesleyan University (Marion, Indiana) and an AAS in Dental Hygiene from Pueblo Community College in Pueblo, Colorado.
I’ve been in the dental field for four decades and have worked as a dental hygienist for more than twenty five of those years (which means I am also passionate about getting people to floss!).
In 2018, my life-long friend, Esther, approached me with the idea of co-founding SeniorSafetyAdvice.com and this website was born.
I’m excited to share what I learned while caregiving and eager to help seniors and their caregivers find answers to the numerous questions that come up during the aging process.
In 2019 I became certified as a Senior Home Safety Specialist through the Age Safe America organization, an AOTA (American Occupational Therapy Association) Approved Provider.
In 2022, I became a certified CARES® Dementia Specialist™ (C. D. S.) through HealthCare Interactive®.
I am also proud to be certified in BLS (Basic Life Support), AED, and Adult/Child/Infant CPR for Health Professionals.
