FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alzheimer’s and Dementia Friendly Cruise and Conference to Alaska Inspires and Empowers Caregivers and Family Members

NEW YORK, N.Y., September 18, 2017 — A new Cruise specially designed for Caregivers and their loved ones living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia is set to sail to Alaska next September.

“The theme “Connecting Circles of Care and Building Bridges of Hope” is our goal for this unique conference and cruise that will inspire and empower caregivers and their family members on many levels,” said Lisa Marie Chirico, conference co-host and CEO and founder of Nursinghomeology, where she serves as a Nursing Home Navigator Coach for her clients who are experiencing long-term care.

As a former caregiver for her Father who battled Alzheimer’s disease, Chirico knows first-hand the multiple challenges that families and their loved ones face, both at home and in a skilled nursing environment. She is passionate about working with Alzheimer’s and dementia caregivers to inspire and support them.

“Like others of my generation, I left the workforce to become a full-time caregiver, and experienced a lot of challenges during those five years. Now, I am focused on helping family caregivers discover their journey in a whole new way. During this conference, we give everyone the opportunity to do just that,” said Chirico. “Attendees will also meet others who share many of the same joys and sorrows as they do, so there is the chance to build new friendships as well,” she added.

At this time, Alzheimer’s disease cannot be prevented, slowed or cured. In the U.S., it is estimated that 5.5 million people are living with Alzheimer’s disease, and every three seconds, someone in the world develops dementia. Approximately 15.7 million adult family caregivers in the U.S. care for someone who has Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia.

Joining Chirico as co-host of this conference and cruise is Kathy Shoaf, RN, BSN, ATP and owner of Elite Cruises and Vacations. “This cruise is an opportunity to benefit from a wide range of programming created for the complex and stressful daily lives of Alzheimer’s caregivers and their family members,” said Shoaf. “In addition, Alaska is a top travel bucket list destination, so it is a perfect pairing. We are also happy to connect families with special needs with trained support staff so that everyone can enjoy this trip with peace of mind,” she added. Shoaf, an accessibility travel specialist with an adaptive technology professional (ATP) certification, is also a geriatric neurology specialist, with 25 years in senior care management.

Attendees will experience diverse programming during the cruise that includes: healing pain and grief through sharing their stories; adapting homes for dementia; creating care partnerships; nutritional care for caregivers; and much more.

A distinguished panel of senior care practitioners and professionals joins Chirico and Shoaf for this conference. They include:

• Keynote Speaker: Brian Kursonis, Founder and President of Faith2Care and a strong voice for Alzheimer’s advocacy at With Alz My Heart
• Sue Frederick, Bestselling Author, Speaker, Intuitive Coach at Sue Frederick
• Martha S. Pascucci, RD and Certified Specialist in Geriatrics (CSG) at Medical Weight Loss of New York and Loretto
• Mike Good, Dementia Care Educator and Founder of Together In This
• Sister Patricia Markey, FNP at St. Patrick’s Manor
• Ellen W. Potts, MBA, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Tuscaloosa, co-author of “A Pocket Guide for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver,” and President of Dementia Dynamics
• Daniel C. Potts, MD FAAN, Attending Neurologist, Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center, co-author of “A Pocket Guide for the Alzheimer’s Caregiver,” Founder and President of Cognitive Dynamics and Foundation Medical Director of Dementia Dynamics

The “Connecting Circles of Care and Bridging Bridges of Hope” conference and cruise also features an opportunity for attendees to find inspiration aboard from stories about the journeys of global caregivers through a brand new Book Circle sponsored by featured writers at the Alz Authors group. In addition, a screening of the film “Do You Know Me Now?” will take place, along with a discussion facilitated by Dr. Daniel C. Potts and his wife Ellen W. Potts during the cruise. “Do You Know Me Now?” is the winner of a Silver Remi Award from the Worldfest Houston International Film Festival.

Suitable for senior care practitioners and advocates who focus on Alzheimer’s and dementia as well caregivers and their family members with early-stage Alzheimer’s and dementia, this seven-day cruise sails to Alaska on Holland America’s ms Eurodam and departs from Seattle, Wash. on September 15th, 2018 and visits Juneau, Glacier Bay, Sitka, Ketchikan, and Victoria, Canada. Prices start at $1,510 per person, based on double occupancy, for an inside cabin. Airfare, insurance, and gratuities are extra. All cruise reservations are required to be made by Kathy Shoaf who can be reached at (219) 608-2002 or via email at [email protected]

Contact:
Lisa Marie Chirico
[email protected]
(646) 784-7629

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