In a live panel discussion on February 23rd, we got a group together to discuss the origin and prevalence of terminology like “activities of daily living” and how they may inadvertently slow or impede much needed innovation in memory care.
Our panelists are experts and innovators in their fields and shared their perspectives from the lenses of speech therapy, dementia education, senior living and memory care communities, and Montessori approaches that collectively offer new pathways of thinking about and approaching dementia support. Among the concepts they challenged in this discussion were entrenched verbiage such as “activities of daily living.”
Watch the replay below!
Nicole Will has dedicated her career to enhancing the well-being of older adults, their families, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. As the founder of willGather, she has created a platform to amplify initiatives and resources in the care economy. Nicole is the creative force behind the top-rated willGather Podcast: Navigating the World with Your Aging Loved One, which shares valuable insights and stories for those caring for aging loved ones. Her approach is multidimensional—from founding Gigi Betty Co. by willGather, in honor of her grandma, to co-founding Think Tank, serving on advisory boards, and serving as a consultant. Nicole’s academic background in Social Gerontology and experience as a Director in a senior living community have equipped her with insights into the needs of the aging population and their caregivers. Nicole’s approach blends heartfelt advocacy with strategic innovation, making her a sought-after voice in the care economy.
Carrie Aalberts, also known as Dementia Darling, has a Master of Science focused in Gerontology and has been working in senior care for a decade. She created Dementia Darling to provide a safe place for dementia caregivers to find community, support, resources and education. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok @dementiadarling. Carrie works as a Care Advisor for Eugeria, where she shares dignified innovations for the dementia journey.
Adria Thompson is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist with over 9 years of experience in dementia care. She holds a master’s and bachelor’s degree in Communication Disorders from Eastern Kentucky University. She is the owner of Be Light Care Consulting, where she creates educational content for professional and personal caregivers on social media platforms. Adria also provides one-on-one caregiver consultations, creates continuing education courses, and works with senior care companies and brands to market their services. With a passion for increasing awareness of dementia care, Adria is a sought-after speaker who has presented at conferences and events across the country.
James Lee has served in the senior living profession for 15 years, beginning as a caregiver and today is a co-founder and the CEO of Bella Groves, a dementia education and care support organization in central Texas. His unique lens of the aging services industry spans multiple frontline roles, regional and senior level leadership roles, and most recently as an owner of several small businesses. He is a prominent thought leader in senior living and is a frequently invited guest of podcasts, industry news outlets, professional conferences and private corporate events. James is the creator of The Level Up Leadership Podcast and a unique mastermind event in senior living called the Think Tank. He resides in San Antonio, Texas, and is the proud alumnus of Texas Lutheran University and the University of Texas at Austin – McCombs School of Business (MBA).
Daniel Lawson spent over a decade in the medical device industry, earning unparalleled insight into the intricacies of our health care environment and some of the biggest needs yet to be addressed. Daniel partnered with Viking Pure’s co-executive team to introduce a disruptive, patent protected, and environmentally-conscious technology to transform cleaning and infection control in commercial facilities across a wide range of industries. He is dedicated to creating a movement to remove TOXIC CHEMICALS from the environment and to challenge the status-quo of what it means to truly clean and disinfect safely, sustainably and effectively.
