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Caregiving didn’t begin with a plan. It began with a phone call.
When my mother’s memory began to slip, I was living faraway—unprepared for the decisions, the distance, and the weight of what was coming. On a phone call one evening, my mom casually mentioned she had gotten “turned around” coming home from the local bookstore. My radar went off. That was beginning of our long journey together.
Today, I write and speak about caregiving, dementia, and end-of-life—so others don’t have to navigate it alone.
My Background
My work explores caregiving, distance, dementia, and the emotional landscape of end-of-life—drawing on my experience navigating my mother’s final years from afar during the COVID pandemic.
I began my career in broadcast journalism, working with NPR affiliate WMUB, WKRC-TV, and WMOH Radio, before moving into public relations, where I secured media coverage in The New York Times and The Cincinnati Enquirer. My writing has appeared in trade publications, as well as The Greenhills Journal and The Community Press.
Since 2018, I have served as a certified funeral celebrant at Spring Grove Cemetery & Arboretum, where I work with families to tell life stories and create meaningful services.
As a speaker, I share personal insights from my caregiving experience to help others prepare for the complexities of aging and end-of-life issues. I am a member of NSAOhio, the Association for Professional Speakers, a chapter of the National Speakers Association.
My Journey
As I watched my mother’s memory fade over time, the experience was both heart-wrenching and eye-opening. While her abilities were diminishing, I realized how unprepared we were for the decisions and responsibilities that came with her care. And considering that the bulk of my mother’s diminishment came during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic while all of her children lived hundreds or thousands of miles away from her, we were particularly challenged on how best to support her. Those circumstances drove me to research, learn, and become an advocate for planning ahead.
Preparation is paramount. Too many families wait until a crisis forces urgent decisions. By then, stress is high, options are limited, and emotions run wild. That’s what happened to our family. Through my writing and speaking engagements, I emphasize:
The legal and financial safeguards of power of attorney
Practical steps to organize medical directives, financial documents, and estate plans
Workable support strategies to help maintain physical safety and emotional security for aging adults
How clear communication among loved ones can prevent conflict
Where, when and how to seek outside assistance
My Work as a Writer and Speaker
My style as a writer and speaker is personal, straightforward and empathetic—I share real anecdotes from my family’s experience alongside evidence-based best practices. Presentation attendees and readers tell me they walk away feeling empowered and less overwhelmed by the complexities of elder care.
My Work as a Celebrant
Prior to being called to oversee my mother’s caregiving, I answered an invitation to become a certified funeral celebrant for Cincinnati’s historic Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum. Since then, I have performed more than 60 services, working closely with families to create meaningful send-offs that celebrate the lives of their loved ones. As needed, I continue to work with families to craft highly personalized eulogies and elegantly constructed ceremonies. I continue to juggle this unique calling while sounding the herald on elder preparation through my Elder Journey Insights blog and speaking. I also now perform weddings as a beautiful opener to the winding road through all of life’s peaks and valleys.
Let’s Connect
I’m inspired to spark conversations that lead to real change one person and family at a time. If you’re interested in booking a speaking engagement, partnering on content, or simply learning more about elder care planning, please reach out. Together, we can ensure that families face the future with confidence, clarity, and compassion.