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Greg Gerendas, Wayman Parks, Julie Vickers and Brian Baker on Eugeria! Radio

September 1, 2010 by eugeria

Greg Gerendas is not a native Texan, but acknowledges he got here as soon as he could! He was trained as a Lutheran pastor, and now serves as the Executive Director for Senior Adult Services, a non-profit organization committed to caring for seniors as they face either short or long term changes in abilities caused by illness or age. Senior Adult Services provides supportive services such as home delivered meals, home modifications and transportation to seniors and disabled adults in the cities of Farmers Branch, Carrolton, Coppell and Addison. Help support Senior Adult Services in a fun way by signing up for their 2010 Tee Up for Seniors Golf Tournament being held at Riverchase Golf Club on Monday, October 4! Contact Greg or Barbara Ball at (972) 242-4464, or visit their website at www.senioradultservices.org.

Wayman Parks graduated from Morehouse College and started his career in human resources for a major corporation. Though he enjoyed the work, with a young family, he didn’t so much enjoy the requirements to be out of town frequently. About seven years ago, Wayman joined the Sunrise family working for their homecare division. After several years there, he made the move to one of their communities. Today he shares the role of Director of Community Relations at Brighton Gardens of Dunwoody with Julie Vickers. Julie’s background is in property management, working for Post Properties in Atlanta for 22 years. In 1998, Sunrise opened a new community that was on Julie’s drive to work. She told herself that one day she would work for that company. It only took her 12 years of driving by to make good on that promise! Both Wayman and Julie note that they love Sunrise because its mission statement matches their own personal mission statements: To champion the quality of life for all seniors. To contact Julie or Wayman, or to arrange a tour, call (770) 730-9333. You can also visit them on the web at www.sunriseseniorliving.com, or click here to get right to the community.

Brian Baker tells us he had his first job at the age of two! He also tells us his first girlfriend was 80 when he started seeing her! Hmmm! Brian remembers accompanying his mother as she cleaned the homes and assisted the elderly. Wanting to help out, his mother put him to work! As a child, Brian had an elderly neighbor across the street that was unable to keep her yard in order on her own. Brian started taking care of her lawn for her, and told her that she was his first girlfriend! Brian has had a fond place in his heart for the elderly ever since. Brian wen to Seminary at the University of Biblical Studies in Bethany, Oklahoma. He took a position at Baxter Travenol’s Caremark Group (now CVS Caremark) in 1989, and there began his professional association with the senior services industry. Today, Brian is the Community Resources Director for Cornerstone Medical, and organization that specializes in oxygen therapy equipment an other respiratory products. Brian notes that it is the wide variety of delivery methods for oxygen that make Cornerstone Medical unique. Brian can be contacted at (770) 361-8333, or via email at changemefirst@gmail.com.

Eugeria! Radio Talks with William Taylor and Holly Hullum

August 25, 2010 by eugeria

William Taylor is a rare native Atlantan! Early in his career, William joined the Army to work on Cobra and Apache attack helicopters. After 8 years of excitement, he returned home to Atlanta and began a second career with the largest transit authority in the Southeast (MARTA), where he spent 17 years. Not content with retirement and only two careers, William began a third career in Healthcare in 2006. Today William is a Patient Consultant for PharmaLife Pharmacy and Medical Supply Company. Pharmalife is a full line pharmaceutical services company with a unique twist – they deliver medication, supplies and durable medical equipment to their clients – even to a private residence – free of charge. William loves his work because he is able to directly impact the quality of life for his clients. He can be reached at (404) 324-0865, or on the web at www.pharmalife.com.

Born and raised in Texas, Holly Hullum is an Aggie, having received a degree in Education from Texas A&M. Through a series of life events, both family and personal, Holly realized she wanted to invest her career in helping individuals plan for events that, by definition, cannot be easily planned for. Holly is the Director of Sales and Marketing for Long Term Care Products for WiseGroup Insurance and Financial Services, located in Dallas, Texas. As such, she works hard to help her clients plan for and manage the cost of long term care. She notes that the WiseGroup is comprised of a group of talented individuals coming together as a team to provide a high degree of personal service to help their clients select the most appropriate financial solutions over a range of products. Because of her personal experiences, Holly is very passionate about her business, and is diligent in providing her clients not just with a set of financial products, but with an education, as well. Holly can be reached at (214) 272-8914, or visit WiseGroup on the web at www.wisegroupinsurance.com.

Cheryl Acres, Christine Truitt and Ron Porter Chat with Eugeria! Radio

August 18, 2010 by eugeria

It’s been hot in Dallas! No one is more acutely aware of that fact than Cheryl Acres, a native of Canada. Though she’s been here for years, I’m sure she misses the cool crisp mornings (or even afternoons) of her northern home. Cheryl went to school in Canada to be a nurse. When there were no jobs available in Canada, she made a big move to the Big Easy. A number of years later, she relocated to Dallas has been using her nurse’s training ever since. Having worked as a nurse and case manager in both private healthcare and in the Medicare environment, Cheryl took the plunge about four years ago and went into private practice as a case manager for the elderly. She is the President and Owner of Comprehensive Care Management, and is proud to be a Certified Case Manager. While she is licensed to provide clinical advice and care, Cheryl tells us that she’s done almost anything that can be done for a client, including feeding the pets! Cheryl can be reached at (972) 446-4789, or check out her website at www.txcasemanager.com.

Christine Truitt grew up with James Brown. OK, no she didn’t, but she did grow up in his home town of Augusta, Georgia! Christine went to school at Augusta Tech, then went across the river to University of South Carolina. She started her career in a hospital, but moved to home health in the early 80’s. She fell in love with the patients, with the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, and with the opportunity to “become a member of [her patients’] family. Today Christine is Nurse and Clinical Account Executive for Gentiva Healthcare. She’s been providing services for patients at home for more than 20 years! Though not brave enough to give out her cell phone number, you can contact Christine via email at christine.truitt@gentiva.com (she assures us she is an email junkie), or visit Gentiva’s website at www.gentiva.com.

Like so many of our guests, Ron Porter selected his profession based on a personal experience. In his case, while he was attending the University of Tennessee, Ron’s father was in an accident. Through the careful attention of a skilled physical therapist, Ron observed the benefits to his father first-hand. After graduating from Tennessee, Ron attended Emory University, where he earned a graduate degree in Physical Therapy. After a number of years working in facilities and homes, Ron turned his attention to a slightly different aspect of physical therapy. Ron notes that many of the issues that physical therapy deals with are preventable. Specifically, people come in many shapes and sizes, yet their living and working environments have a tendency to be “one size fits all”. Today Ron is the Director of Back School of Atlanta. Back School of Atlanta is dedicated to applying ergonomics principles and total wellness as a means to good health, injury prevention and increased productivity on the job and at home. According to Ron, this can be as simple as improving lighting, using an appropriate chair or adding steps or a ladder to reach cabinets that would otherwise be reached by standing on a chair or other unstable item. Ron can be reached at 1-800-783-7536, or visit the website at www.backschoolofatlanta.com.

Command performance for Raquel Bustos, plus Bo Levine and Ruth Matthews

August 5, 2010 by eugeria

An Atlanta native, Raquel Bustos started her career in administration and corporate meeting planning. Though she was good at it, this was clearly not her life’s work. As she looked to do something that had a more significant impact on people, she landed a job as an Activities Director at a local assisted living. Music played a big role in Raquel’s childhood, so it was only natural that she brought music to her work as an Activities Director. She liked singing so much, she decided to perform on a broader scale. Today she performs in more than 75 senior centers, assisted and independent living facilities. While she loves to perform, even more, she loves to take her audience on a trip down memory lane, getting the audience to perform with her. Raquel can be reached at (404) 444-6335, or via email at raquelbustos@bellsouth.net.

Bo Levine’s father was conscripted to the army of Czar Nicolas II in the early 1900’s. Unwilling to participiate, her father, Jacob, fled to China. After working ten years to earn enough money, he went back to Russia to bring out his soon-to-be bride. That is how Bo became the product of the British Public School in Shanghai, China. After graduating high school, she attended St. Johns University, and then emigrated to the US through San Francisco, then moving to Eastman, Georgia, where her uncle lived. She then went on to the University of Georgia and received her degree in Journalism. She was married, and raised three children. Bo has outlived three husbands, telling us the name of her next husband will be “No Mo'”. A number of years ago she wrote a diary over the course of two years as she cared for her late husband, Nate Levine. This got her creative juices flowing, and she is now using her Journalism major as a columnist for The Jewish Georgian. To see one of her columns, check them out on the web at www.jewishgeorgian.com.

A native Georgian, Ruth Matthews grew up in Macon, and stayed there to attend Mercer University. She graduated in 1980, and began her career with the Georgia Radio Reading Service. It as there that she fell in love with helping people for a living. She later worked for the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, another passion for Ruth. A number of years ago a friend recruited Ruth to work in a senior community. For the past six years, Ruth has worked as the Director of Community Relations for the Renaissance on Peachtree, an independent and assisted living community at 3755 Peachtree Road in Atlanta. Ruth tells us one of the unique features of the Renaissance is its team of dedicated drivers that escorts residents “in style” in Town Cars and Limos, rather than buses! To contact Ruth or arrange a tour, call the Renaissance at (404) 841-6161, or visit their website at www.renaissanceonpeachtree.com.

Full House! Lynn Barbee, Sarah Senter, Duane Krueger and Eileen Nebhut

July 28, 2010 by eugeria

Who would have guessed that a midwest girl from El Dorado, Kansas would grow up to be… Ms. Texas Senior America in 2009?! Sarah Senter’s life was already full. She has been married 33 years, is the mother of 2 and grandmother of 3. She and her husband run a successful custom drapery business. She has been a performing tap dancer since she was 5. And in 2009, she entered the Ms. Texas Senior America pageant, and won! After a year of promoting the pageant, and it’s theme of redefining the senior woman as active and involved, she is getting ready to pass on her crown to Ms. Texas Senior America 2010. Be sure to catch this terrific event on Saturday, August 14 at 1 pm at the Dallas Doubletree Hotel. To schedule an event, or find out more about her custom drapery business, contact Ms. Senter the old fashioned way – pick up the phone and call her at (972) 617-8090.

Another Midwesterner, Duane Krueger grew up in a small town in central Illinois. After receiving a Bachelors Degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University, Duane began his career as a teacher and a guidance counselor. He later moved into educational sales in the corporate environment. About five years ago, Duane met a couple in his church that was offering reverse mortgages as a resource for seniors to access the equity in what is traditionally a couple’s largest asset, their home. Shortly thereafter, Duane switched careers, and has been offering this same resource to seniors in the Dallas/Ft. Worth metro area ever since. Today, Duane is a reverse mortgage specialist with Next Generation Financial Services. He can be reached at (877) 539-4040, or via email at dkrueger@1stmarinerbank.com.

Eileen Nebhut grew up in Nashville. She attended Vanderbilt University, received her degree in Psychology, and never used it in her career! She started in the publishing business in New York City. Wanting to travel, and pursue a career in art, Eileen went to Christie’s in London to be educated further. She loved so much, she spent the next seven years working for Christie’s in London. Six years ago, Eileen moved to Atlanta, knowing maybe five people. Having a desire to combine her Design School training, her knowledge of interiors and exteriors into her own business, she conceived and launched NHabitation. NHabitation is a home management firm that offers everything from organizing and space planning to decorating, renovations and Aging in Place-specalized services. Find out more by calling Eileen directly at (404) 309-2152, email her at eileen@nhabitation.com, or visit her on the web at www.nhabitation.com.

Lynn Barbee originally thought she was going to be a broadcast journalist. An Atlanta native, she received her degree in Public Relations. Having been raised by her grandmother, during college Lynn became her grandmother’s caregiver. At that time, Lynn knew nothing about hospice, so she and her grandmother really walked that journey alone. Her career has run a course from senior-focused property management to assisted living and, finally, to hospice. Lynn currently works for Homestead Hospice, and absolutely loves her work because of the amazing resource she is able to provide for families. Lynn notes that hospice should not be thought of as hope abandoned, but rather as “hope redefined” – uniting families, encouraging conversations and preserving memories. Lynn also loves the fact that Homestead Hospice puts care of the patient and the family as paramount, and often goes above and beyond the call to service them. Contact Lynn at (877) 355-4472, or visit their website at www.homesteadhospice.net.

Eugeria! Radio Chats with Rachelle Caruthers, Marianna Clement, Bob Brinson and Raquel Bustos

July 21, 2010 by eugeria

Originally from Montana, Rachelle DuBose Caruthers initially received a degree in Marketing from University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She moved to Texas in 2006 to be close to family, and to pursue a career in Social Services. She is currently working on her Masters in Social Work at UT Arlington. Rachelle is the Program Coordinator for Texas Health Dallas’ Movement Disorders Education and Resource Center. One of her current priorities is a Parkinsons Support Group that will be launched on August 19, at 7PM. The meeting will be held in the Patio Café of the hospital’s Jackson Building. Register for this event at dallasmovementdisorders@texashealth.org. In her spare time, Rachelle is learning to speak Danish! Rachelle can be contacted at the Resource Center at 214-345-4224.

Marianna Clement is originally from Shreveport, Louisiana. She came to Texas in 1998 to attend Baylor University, from which she has been awarded both a Bachelors Degree in Exercise Science, and a Masters in Community Health Education. Marianna was introduced to Texas Health System during a 2001 internship while she was still attending the Baylor undergraduate program. She loved her work there, and two years ago she accepted a position as a Fitness Specialist and Aerobics Program Manager. As part of this role, Marianna oversees the MS and Parkinsons Aquatics and Tai Chi programs. She loves the direct interaction with the people in the program! Marianna can be reached at 214-345-4512, or via email at mariannaClement@texashealth.org. Visit the Texas Health website at www.texashealth.org.

An Atlanta native, Raquel Bustos started her career in administration and corporate meeting planning. Though she was good at it, this was clearly not her life’s work. As she looked to do something that had a more significant impact on people, she landed a job as an Activities Director at a local assisted living. She discovered that she loved to sing, and to engage her residents in singing. This led her to begin doing this as a full time vocation. Today she performs in more than 75 senior centers, assisted and independent living facilities. While she loves to perform, even more, she loves to take her audience on a trip down memory lane, getting the audience to perform with her. Raquel can be reached at (404) 444-6335, or via email at raquelbustos@bellsouth.net.

Bob Brinson did what many young college grads do: He went to college, took a job in Corporate America, went back to school for his MBA in finance and started climbing the corporate ladder. Approaching 10 years with his company, Bob had a decision to make: Commit to a lifetime career with the company, or do something else that he was more passionate about. At his wife’s prompting, Bob left his corporate career to become a personal chef, starting a company called Gourmet Innovations. A little over two years ago, a business acquaintance noted that the elderly were often not eating nutritious foods on a regular basis. As he did his research, Bob discovered that those who were not eligible for Meals on Wheels were often not eating regularly, and there was a real market for a nutritious meal delivery service to the home. His company provides seven unique and healthy meals each week. He loves the personal touch, and enjoys the relationships he has built as he has served his clients. Chef Bob can be reached at (404) 797-7323, or via email at chefbob@gourmetinnovationsinc.com. Visit his website at www.gourmetinnovationsinc.com.

Eugeria! Radio Welcomes North Texas Senior Service Alliances, The Cohen Home and artist, Lauren Dubrinsky

July 14, 2010 by eugeria

A “natural” in the studio, Charlene Wisdom started her career in broadcast production and public relations. She started working in the senior care arena about five years ago driven, in part, by a strong love for her geographically distant grandparents. As the Community Ambassador for Silverado Senior Living, she has developed a number of surrogate grandparent relationships! Charlene can be reached at (469) 525-8868, or visit them on the web at www.silveradosenior.com.

Patrick Shanahan spent more than 26 years of his career in Information Technology. Motivated by a desire to run his own business, as well as a need to do something noble, Patrick opened the Senior Helpers Personal Care Agency in Irving and Lewisville. Similar to Charlene, Patrick was also shaped by a personal experience in sharing the responsibility of remotely providing for the care of his father in his battle against cancer. Patrick can be reached at (972) 823-1333, or visit him on the web at www.seniorhelpers.com.

Patrick and Charlene came together as a result of a desire to create an organization that was more than just a business networking organization for the senior services industry in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Their vision was for an organization that also gave back to the community in the form of education and outreach. To do this, they partnered first with the Grapevine Chamber of Commerce in January 2009 as the Grapevine Senior Services Alliance. Since then, they have expanded this initiative to Irving and Lewisville, and look to add several more Chamber of Commerce relationships in the coming year.

Art has always been an important part of Lauren Dubrinsky’s life. She received Art and Art History degrees from SUNY Binghamton. She was minding her own business doing her job as a real estate photographer at a senior community when the community mentioned that they wanted to start an art program in their community. Having taught art to children in the past, Lauren had no idea what she was getting into when she agreed to teach art to senior adults. Her art classes at facilities like The Cohen Home in Alpharetta are now an integral and rewarding part of her week. She loves the work she does with these seniors, and dearly cherishes the relationships she’s developed with so many extraordinary people. Lauren can be reached at laurendubrinsky@comcast.net, or (678) 458-3474.

Connie Dodge, originally from Illinois, originally received degrees in Communications and Urban Studies in college. She has been a professional storyteller for more than 20 years, both telling stories and teaching story-telling. This intriguing vocation led her to interact with many senior adults that would take her story-telling classes. As a result, Connie developed a passion for working with seniors. Today she is the Activities Director for The Cohen Home, in Alpharetta. The Cohen Home is a very intimate setting, with only 22 residents, and an incredible staff to resident ration of 1 to 5 (state requires at least 1 to 15)! Call Connie at (770) 475-8787, or email her at connied@cohenhome.org to arrange for a tour of The Cohen Home, or visit their website at www.cohenhome.org.

Conversations with Lisa Egan, Deanna Gilliam and Diane Scott

July 8, 2010 by eugeria

Lisa Egan started her career as a licensed psychotherapist. She worked with a number of women in the middle of life transitions, and realized quickly that there were a lot of women with good ideas, but little experience in implementing them. Being an entrepreneur, and wanting to help these women, Lisa started WiseWomen Radio. As an outgrowth of this initiative, Lisa began to work in the financial services industry, eventually started her own firm. Today, Lisa is the President and Founder of The WiseGroup Insurance and Financial Services. Having observed a family member struggling to cover the cost of long term care, Lisa has a passion for helping seniors as they plan for the future, and, in many cases, for living years beyond what they may have originally expected. Lisa can be reached at (214) 272-8914, or visit her on the web at www.wisegroupinsurance.com.

Starting her career as a surgical technologist with a specialty in eye surgery, Deanna Gilliam knew early in her career that she wanted to work with older adults. After getting her Bachelors Degree in Sociology with a specialty in Gerontology from Georgia State University, she spent the next six years with Piedmont’s Sixty Plus organization. Wanting to transition into a business that would allow her to stay at home with her new daughter, Deanna had a brilliant idea of capturing individuals’ life stories through video and photography. Deanna now fills her spare time (when she’s not being a mom) as the President and Founder of Time in a Bottle, a service that organizes, documents and records the stories of her clients’ lives for family and friends to treasure in the future! Contact Deanna at (770) 363-5544, or visit her website at www.listentomytale.com.

Diane Scott is proud to be a native of Memphis, Tennessee. She later spent many years in southeast Florida, getting her education in both Palm Beach County and Miami. She became an RN in 1975, and has spent the majority of her career serving senior adults. Earlier this year, Diane was recruited to Atlanta by a former childhood friend and high school and college classmate. Diane is the Hospice Liaison for Compassionate Care Hospice. Diane absolutely loves her job, and loves the opportunity to share and assist in families as they take the hospice journey. Diane can be reached at (770) 220-2723, on her cell at (772) 486-4343, or on the web at www.cchnet.net.

Don Stockard, Patti Elrod-Hill and Faye Vantreese Talk with Eugeria Radio

June 30, 2010 by eugeria

Don Stockard started his career as a teacher and a coach after receiving both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education. It wasn’t long before Don realized that his personality and talents were well-suited to a career in sales. Nearly 25 years ago, Don became one of the first to market and sell Long Term Care insurance in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. Over the course of time, Don discovered that he had a real passion for our country’s service men and women, and wanted to give his own time to help them. Approximately four years ago, Don went into semi-retirement, and began volunteering his services to assist veterans in navigating the application process for the Improved Pension Benefit, also known as Veterans Aid & Attendance. Don’s services are free of charge to veterans and their families. Don can be reached by phone at 1-800-500-9168 ext. 210, or at (972) 267-6735. He can also be reached via email at d_stockard@sbcglobal.net

Patti Elrod Hill grew up and went to school in South Dakota. She acknowledges that when people learn she’s from South Dakota, the typical response is “I’ve never met anyone from South Dakota before”! Fortunately for Patti, her next stop was Hawaii, thanks to a Navy marriage. After 3 years in Hawaii, she moved again, this time to St. Louis. While in St. Louis, she discovered a passion for the law, and attended Law School at Washington University. Upon graduation, and yet another move to the Atlanta area, Pattie took a job with the Veteran’s Administration. At the VA she developed an interest in serving the elder and disabled population. Today she is the owner and lead counsel for The Elrod-Hill Law Firm. She prides herself in being personally involved with every client. Her firm specializes in elder law and veterans benefits planning. Patti can be reached at (770) 416-0776, or on the web at www.elrod-hillfirm.com.

Faye Vantreese (right) is a long term care specialist with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. Prior to her career as a financial advisor, she attended Syracuse University, and graduated with a BS degree in Design. Beyond her work with Northwestern Mutual, Faye is very involved in the local community. She is the President of the Kiwanis Club of Decatur. Faye is also actively involved in the Decatur Business Association, and has served on numerous boards, including Senior Connections and Life Enrichment Senior Services Board. Faye can be reached at (404) 354-1039, or visit her on the web at www.fayevantreese.nmfn.com.