In Episode 67, Don Priess and I have a candid - and inspiring - conversation with our first guest of the year, Mary S. Daniel, a Board-Certified Patient Advocate  whose mantra is "boldly advocate for your loved ones". 

Leading by example, Mary showed us just what that looks like when she took a job as a dishwasher at the facility where her husband, Steve (diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013 ), lived after being separated for 114 days during the lockdown due to COVID-19. 

The conversation delves into some of the very real challenges caregivers face navigating our ageist, ableist, and broken healthcare system that became glaringly apparent during the Covid era.  A fierce advocate, Mary shares the  incredible steps she took to make sure she kept a watchful eye and consistent connection with her husband, Steve, despite the seemingly impossible roadblocks.

Mary founded the Facebook group "Caregivers for Compromise – because isolation kills too!" which has over 14,000 members and chapters in every state. Her grassroots effort got the attention of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who named Mary to the Florida Task Force on the Safe and Limited Re-Opening of Long-Term Care Facilities. The recommendations of the Task Force were accepted by the Governor on September 1, 2020 and Essential Caregivers were allowed back in facilities to see their loved ones.

On December 21, 2022, Mary announced that her beloved husband Steve, passed away peacefully that morning. One of her next posts simply said, "Now What?" Mary answers that question and much more in this "must listen"conversation.

 #healthcare #covid #Alzheimers #grieving #caregiving #carepartner #endalz #dementia #dementiacare #caregiver 

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