Brooke and Jean Ellison join hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial to talk about Brooke's experience after a life-altering auto accident on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

First day as a teacher was the same day of the life-altering car accident that left Brooke paralyzed from her neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe. Jean left her job to be at her daughter’s side—a position she has maintained ever since. Jean accompanied Brooke to rehab in New Jersey, to school when she returned after her accident, and to Harvard, when Brooke was an undergraduate and master student. 

Brooke and Jean Ellison join hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial to talk about Brooke's experience after a life-altering auto accident on this edition of Caregiver SOS.
First day as a teacher was the same day of the life-altering car accident that left Brooke paralyzed from her neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe. Jean left her job to be at her daughter’s side—a position she has maintained ever since. Jean accompanied Brooke to rehab in New Jersey, to school when she returned after her accident, and to Harvard, when Brooke was an undergraduate and master student.

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Caregiver SOS

Hosts: Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Hosts: Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Look Both Ways with Brooke & Jean Ellison

Mary Ek joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about how the DFA Movement (Dementia Friendly America) is creating communities where people living with Dementia and their care partners can live, engage, and thrive on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Mary

Mary Ek joined USAging in 2021. As the Director for Community Care Corps and Dementia Friendly America, Mary supports Community Care Corps grantees, dementia-friendly communities and Dementia Friends administrators by providing technical assistance, facilitating learning collaboratives and webinars, and managing the development and sharing of resources.

Mary’s career began as an educator. For 20 years, Mary served as an educator and administrator in various schools and as the Education Director for Volunteers of America Minnesota. In 2011, Mary joined the Collective Action Lab where she served as a Program Director, Project Leader and Manager for various collaborations and initiatives, one of which was Act on Alzheimer’s. Mary was a pioneer and leader in the development of Dementia Friendly America and supported USAging as it acquired the role of DFA administrator. Mary has significant experience in working on issues central to the mission of USAging’s members. Following her time at the Collective Action Lab, Mary served as a consultant to USAging and many of its Area Agency on Aging members on several projects, including Dementia Friendly America and Community Care Corps. Mary holds a Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education from the University of Notre Dame. 

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Mary Ek joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about how the DFA Movement (Dementia Friendly America) is creating communities where people living with Dementia and their care partners can live, engage, and thrive on this edition of Caregiver SOS.
About Mary
Mary Ek joined USAging in 2021. As the Director for Community Care Corps and Dementia Friendly America, Mary supports Community Care Corps grantees, dementia-friendly communities and Dementia Friends administrators by providing technical assistance, facilitating learning collaboratives and webinars, and managing the development and sharing of resources.
Mary&rsquo;s career began as an educator. For 20 years, Mary served as an educator and administrator in various schools and as the Education Director for Volunteers of America Minnesota. In 2011, Mary joined the Collective Action Lab where she served as a Program Director, Project Leader and Manager for various collaborations and initiatives, one of which was Act on Alzheimer&rsquo;s. Mary was a pioneer and leader in the development of Dementia Friendly America and supported USAging as it acquired the role of DFA administrator. Mary has significant experience in working on issues central to the mission of USAging&rsquo;s members. Following her time at the Collective Action Lab, Mary served as a consultant to USAging and many of its Area Agency on Aging members on several projects, including Dementia Friendly America and Community Care Corps. Mary holds a Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Education from the University of Notre Dame.&nbsp;
Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

The Dementia Friendly America Movement with Mary Ek

Laura Wayman, "The Dementia Whisperer" joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about understanding the real-life challenges of Dementia symptoms on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Laura

With over a two decades of experience and a strong dedication to quality aging, Laura Wayman holds an associate’s degree in gerontology and is a certified social services designee. Her innovative approach to the caregiving process has given her valuable insights into how caregivers can enhance and even enjoy their relationships with their loved ones or clients. During her career, she has developed her “becoming dementia aware” approach, an easy-to-learn, easy-to-apply communication style for connecting with the person who has dementia. As a result, she is a sought-after speaker with extensive experience in keynote addresses and break-out programs. Laura also teaches her “becoming dementia-aware” care approach and communication techniques at community colleges, nursing schools and provides CE’s for Residential Care Administrators and staff in California and Arizona. She provides in-service training for assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and in-home professional caregivers, as well as valuable training and

outreach for community first responders on gentle and effective redirection tools and a communication approach that works. She is often invited to educate caregivers from all walks of life about how to become dementia aware, helping them to learn effective techniques, and directing them to further dementia-aware community resources.

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Laura Wayman, "The Dementia Whisperer" joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about understanding the real-life challenges of Dementia symptoms on this edition of Caregiver SOS.
About Laura
With over a two decades of experience and a strong dedication to quality aging, Laura Wayman holds an associate&rsquo;s degree in gerontology and is a certified social services designee. Her innovative approach to the caregiving process has given her valuable insights into how caregivers can enhance and even enjoy their relationships with their loved ones or clients. During her career, she has developed her &ldquo;becoming dementia aware&rdquo; approach, an easy-to-learn, easy-to-apply communication style for connecting with the person who has dementia. As a result, she is a sought-after speaker with extensive experience in keynote addresses and break-out programs. Laura also teaches her &ldquo;becoming dementia-aware&rdquo; care approach and communication techniques at community colleges, nursing schools and provides CE&rsquo;s for Residential Care Administrators and staff in California and Arizona. She provides in-service training for assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, and in-home professional caregivers, as well as valuable training and
outreach for community first responders on gentle and effective redirection tools and a communication approach that works. She is often invited to educate caregivers from all walks of life about how to become dementia aware, helping them to learn effective techniques, and directing them to further dementia-aware community resources.
Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Understanding the Real-Life Challenges of Dementia Symptoms with Laura Wayman

Mia Godfrey joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about what it means to mourn someone while still caring for them on this edition of Caregiver SOS.

About Mia

MIHAELA (MIA) GODFREY is a certified life coach, Bible counselor, EME (Emotions, Mind and Energy) practitioner, public speaker, and author of Buried, Not Broken: A Memoir of Survival, Sisterhood, and Starting Over. With more than 17 years of leadership experience at Cellular Sales, where she serves as talent acquisition operations manager, Mia brings authenticity and compassion to every area of her work. Her professional success is matched by her lifelong devotion to helping others find healing, strength, and renewed purpose.

Mia has built a career on showing empathy, upholding integrity, and helping others rise to their potential. Beyond the boardroom, she is a guiding voice for women navigating grief, trauma, and life transitions, offering practical tools for rebuilding confidence and rediscovering purpose through faith. Born in Romania as the youngest of 10 children, Mia learned resilience and faith early. After earning her bachelor of science in education, she immigrated to the United States at 27, carrying with her an unwavering belief that every challenge holds the seed of growth. She has since earned multiple leadership and public speaking awards through Toastmasters International and is an active member of the AACC World Counselors. Now based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mia is a proud wife and mother to two grown children, Alli and Isaac. Outside her professional life, she finds joy in mentoring others, connecting through faith, and helping people see hope where they once saw only hardship. Her life’s purpose is to remind others that healing is possible, growth is continuous, and purpose is always within reach. Learn more or connect with Mia at www.miagodfrey.com

Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Mia Godfrey joins host Ron Aaron and co-host Carol Zernail to talk about what it means to mourn someone while still caring for them on this edition of Caregiver SOS.
About Mia
MIHAELA (MIA) GODFREY is a certified life coach, Bible counselor, EME (Emotions, Mind and Energy) practitioner, public speaker, and author of Buried, Not Broken: A Memoir of Survival, Sisterhood, and Starting Over. With more than 17 years of leadership experience at Cellular Sales, where she serves as talent acquisition operations manager, Mia brings authenticity and compassion to every area of her work. Her professional success is matched by her lifelong devotion to helping others find healing, strength, and renewed purpose.
Mia has built a career on showing empathy, upholding integrity, and helping others rise to their potential. Beyond the boardroom, she is a guiding voice for women navigating grief, trauma, and life transitions, offering practical tools for rebuilding confidence and rediscovering purpose through faith. Born in Romania as the youngest of 10 children, Mia learned resilience and faith early. After earning her bachelor of science in education, she immigrated to the United States at 27, carrying with her an unwavering belief that every challenge holds the seed of growth. She has since earned multiple leadership and public speaking awards through Toastmasters International and is an active member of the AACC World Counselors. Now based in Knoxville, Tennessee, Mia is a proud wife and mother to two grown children, Alli and Isaac. Outside her professional life, she finds joy in mentoring others, connecting through faith, and helping people see hope where they once saw only hardship. Her life&rsquo;s purpose is to remind others that healing is possible, growth is continuous, and purpose is always within reach. Learn more or connect with Mia at www.miagodfrey.com
Hosts Ron Aaron and Carol Zernial, and their guests talk about Caregiving and how to best cope with the stresses associated with it. Learn about "Caregiver SOS" and the "Teleconnection Hotline" programs.

Look Both Ways with Brooke & Jean Ellison

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