Bio
Author of “Elder Rage”, host of “Coping with Caregiving” radio show, and an international speaker on Eldercare, Alzheimer’s and Elder Abuse.
Jacqueline Marcell barely survived the most horrific year of her life as the sole caregiver to her belligerent elderly father and sweet but ailing mother, both with early Alzheimer’s which went undiagnosed for over a year. But after fighting through an unsympathetic medical system, having her once-adoring father hauled off by the police for violence (choked her) several times to a psychiatric hospital where he’d promptly be released, and depleting her parents’ life savings and most of her own—with sheer determination she solved the endless crisis medically and behaviorally.
Shocked by what she had endured so needlessly compelled Jacqueline to give up her (by then stalled) career as a television executive to become an advocate for eldercare awareness and reform. Passion to save others from a similar experience (and especially from getting so frustrated they commit elder abuse) resulted in a book written with humor to make a tough subject palatable, “Elder Rage, or Take My Father… Please! How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents”. She also launched the “Coping With Caregiving” radio program and has interviewed over 1200 healthcare professionals. Jacqueline has been featured in key media including: TODAY, CNN, a PBS Documentary, Woman’s Day, an AARP Bulletin cover story, hundreds of radio & TV interviews, and has presented at over 200 events including to the California Governor Conference, numerous chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association and Area Agencies on Aging, National Security Agency and Florida House of Representatives.
ELDER RAGE is a Book-of-the-Month Club selection (the first time a book on caregiving is selected) receiving over 275 five-star Amazon reviews and being considered for a film. Over 50 prestigious endorsements include Hugh Downs, Regis Philbin, Leeza Gibbons, Denise Brown, John Hopkins Memory Clinic and Harvard Medical School. It is also required text at numerous universities for courses in geriatric assessment and management.
Elder Rage is an extraordinary eldercare success story, illustrating the author’s capacity for problem-solving and perseverance in the face of enormous odds and unrelenting obstacles, which helps caregivers put their situation into perspective and feel less alone. The writing style is poignant, humorous, ironic and riveting, which captivates the reader to continue and absorb techniques for managing their own challenging elder without retaliation or running away. Extensive resources included.
Jacqueline's Missions are to:
Expose elder abuse, neglect and exploitation; Help improve eldercare laws; Encourage long-term care planning; Show healthcare professionals how they can better help the families they work with; Empower caregivers with solutions and encourage them to put their health first; Advocate for Alzheimer’s research funding and heighten early diagnosis awareness; Bring attention to Adult Day Care Services. Jacqueline has testified before the Assistant Secretary on Aging and received a Media Award from the National Adult Day Services Association. She was also honored with Advocate of the Year from the National Association of Women Business Owners at their Remarkable Women Awards.
Presentations:
Jacqueline’s presentations feature a triumph over adversity message and are easily modified to the focus of an event and adjustable to any audience from students to seniors (CEU/CME healthcare professionals). She is available for Keynotes, Breakouts, Panels & Moderating.
Topics:
(Many of these can be included within any length presentation)
Elder Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, Adult Protective Services
Normal Aging/Senior Moments vs. Dementia/Alzheimer’s: Warning Signs, Stages, Types, Statistics
Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)
Finding the Right Medical Team for Accurate Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment
Balancing Brain Chemistry for Dementia, Depression and Aggression
Preparing for Our Later Years and Dementia Prevention
Behavior Modification: Distraction/Redirection, Reminiscence, Validation, Rewards
Getting Elders to: See Doctor, Take Meds, Eat, Stop Driving, Accept Cleaning Person and Caregiver, Attend Day Care, Move, etc.
Managing Aggression, Depression, Delusions, Hallucinations, Repetition, Sun-downing, Wandering, Hoarding, Paranoia, Swallowing, Intimacy, Sexuality
Adult Day Care, Activities, Consistency for Meals, Exercise, Bedtime
Safety-Proofing the Environment, City Grants
Proactive Long-Term Care Planning, Elder Law Attorneys, LTC Insurance, Financial/Legal Issues
Durable Powers of Attorney for Health & Financial, Advance Directives, Do Not Resuscitate (DNR)
Hiring Caregivers and Geriatric Care/Case Managers
Moving to Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, Dementia Care
Support Groups, Resources, Products, Respite, Hospice
Care for the Caregiver, Coping with Siblings, Stress, Guilt, Grief, PTSD
Affirmations, Gratitude, Humor, Spirituality, Faith
Surviving Breast Cancer--the importance for caregivers to closely monitor their own health
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Testimonials
Thank you so much for your superb presentation at our Alzheimer's seminar. The audience included dementia specialists, senior neurologists, neuropsychologists, scientists, nurses, students, and caregivers who came from New England specifically to hear you. And what a fabulous presentation it was! Your ability to combine humor, personal insight, wisdom and meaningful guidance to all of us involved in the care for those with dementia was sensational. Each gained useful tips and tools that will enrich our professional practices and personal experiences.
—R. Stern, Ph.D., Director, Alzheimer's Disease & Research Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Massachusetts
Everyone loved Jacqueline’s educational and entertaining CEU & CME presentation ‘Behavioral & Medical Management of the Elderly Patient’. She was also video-conferenced from our global telecommunications auditorium, enabling live interactivity to the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and two rural communities.
—Linda Dielman, TV Program/Outreach Mgr, CMU Public Broadcasting, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan
Thank you so much for your inspirational presentations at our 2008 Northern Plains Conference on Aging & Disability. You really connected with the audience of hundreds of healthcare professionals (CEUs to Nurses, Nursing Home Administrators, Social Workers, Counselors), as well as families, seniors and those with disabilities. Comments: ‘Jacqueline is a wonderful, thought provoking speaker!’ , ‘She was so fun to listen to!’ , ‘She made a tough situation into one you can handle!’ Your participation helped make our conference a big success—thank you!!!
—Mary Jo Hannasch, Northern Plains Conference on Aging and Disability, Fargo, North Dakota
Jacqueline was a smash-hit keynoter at our 26th Annual Arkansas Aging Conference. She was totally at ease in front of 500+ with animated, emphatic, witty and wise stories of sorrow and success as a caregiver. Then, after an extra 90-minute presentation (which left us wanting more) she was accessible, empathetic, welcoming and warm with all who approached for an autographed copy of her remarkable bestseller—many receiving hugs along with personalized advice. We are so pleased Jacqueline came to speak—no, we are delighted!
—Ron Tatus, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, Little Rock, Arkansas
You educated 80 presidents of major U.S. corporations on the importance of early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and treatments to delay fulltime care. Your knowledge will be spread to thousands of employees saving heartache, careers and money, because fewer hours will be needed away from the workplace to care for aging loved ones. That, in turn, will help America’s productivity. Your presentation was invaluable!
—Scott Martineau, Education Chair, Young Presidents’ Organization, Bel Air, CA
We so enjoyed having you here for several days and appreciated all your extra help to make our 13th Annual CMSA Educational Conference a huge success! The evaluations are extremely positive from professionals and families alike, and we are receiving numerous calls for help because of you. Your presentations were absolutely incredible, standing room only, as you touched so many with laughter and tears. Our chapter would also like to thank you for the $5 donation per sale of Elder Rage, our favorite guidebook!
—Jeanie Mitchell, RN, CMC, CCM, Oklahoma Chapter of the Case Management Society of America, OK
Inspiring and Fabulous! Jacqueline’s ability to educate while entertaining is masterful, keeping an audience riveted learning, laughing and even crying a little. She was such a pleasure to work with over many months of planning and went above and beyond to help us create a huge success. Over 700 attended, the sponsors were thrilled, and our mayor even proclaimed it ‘Caregiver Day’ to help. We found Jacqueline to be very adaptable, easy-going, and downright fun to work with — so we highly recommend her!
—Theresa Timmons, Help Unlimited Homecare, Seattle, WA
You MUST have Jacqueline speak to your group! She communicates a powerful message to caregivers, which most just can’t grasp from healthcare professionals. She has lived what they are living and struggled with what they are struggling, which gives her credibility and compassion like no one else. She is absolutely fantastic in her sincere and entertaining presentation! After expenses, we presented the Office on Aging with a $3,235 check for their Senior Emergency Fund, which we would not have been able to do without all her help.
—Gina Shaffer Law Office, LLC, Bel Air, MD
Thank you for making our event a true success—the highest attended our agency has ever conducted. We typically get 50, but over 450 came to hear you! Four sponsors, who’ve never sponsored our events, requested we consider them for future sponsorship. Your presentation received incredibly great reviews. One caregiver wrote, ‘Ms. Marcell is a delight. I was at the brink of tears at arrival, but now I feel confident to face the future.’
—Brenda Brown, Office for Aging, Caregiver Support Program, Utica, NY
Thank you for your outstanding presentations at our 13th Annual Case Management Society of America Houston Gulf Coast Chapter Conference! Hundreds of healthcare professionals, whose primary purpose is to assist families navigate the healthcare maze, were thrilled to get so many unique tips and such creative advice. You have a wonderful way of imparting facts and statistics amid the most humorous anecdotes from your own caregiving experience, keeping your audience riveted while empowering them with concrete information they will use and never forget!
—Bonnie Smith RN, BSN, The Care Group, CMSA Planning Committee, Houston, TX
I drove several hours to hear Jacqueline and was amazed by her standing room only following. WOW, you could have heard a pin drop during her riveting presentation, except for the roaring laughter, as she speaks the truth from so bravely having walked her talk. The line to purchase Elder Rage was out the door as compliments flowed: ‘I've heard her speak several times and always leave transfused with life.’ I was so inspired I gave Jacqueline a deposit on the spot to speak at our conference of 300+ statewide personal care home providers (CEU’s for Administrators). Her reviews were again exceptional and her wonderful book sold out. Jacqueline is the BEST!
—Daneen E. Reese, Executive Director, Pennsylvania Assisted Living Association
Thank you for speaking at our spouse program during our annual bankers convention in Florida. All the evaluations are quite superior: ‘wonderfully emotional’.. and.. ‘great presentation utilizing humor effectively in the face of a serious issue’.. and.. ‘very timely in my life--exceptional presentation!’.
—Marisa Corser, Pennsylvania Bankers Association, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
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