The Celebration & Retirement of Dr. James Vickers

The Care Advocates is brought to you by the All Home Care Matters Media team and focuses on providing family caregivers and their loved ones with support, resources, and discussion on the issues facing them in the matrix of long-term care.   The Care Advocates are co-hosted by Lance A. Slatton & Dr. George Ackerman.   The Care Advocates are honored to welcome, Wendy Kaufman-Aflalo and Barry Kaufman as guest to the show.   About Wendy Kaufman-Aflalo & Barry Kaufman:   Wendy & Barry co-host a podcast called "This Is Your Brain on Mom", where they explore the challenges, humor, and unexpected moments of caring for their mom, who is living with dementia.   Their episodes mix advocacy, storytelling, and humor to shed light on the realities of caregiving, while also providing comfort and connection for others navigating similar journeys.   Barry brings a naturally comedic perspective and a knack for keeping conversations light and engaging, while Wendy focused on storytelling and navigating the practical aspects of caregiving.   Together, they aim to give a candid, relatable look at what it's like to support a loved one with dementia—balancing heartfelt moments with humor and honesty.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Ann Campanella as guest to the show.   Ann Campanella is a former magazine and newspaper editor and is the author of three memoirs and four collections of poetry. Her award-winning writing has appeared in newspapers, magazines, literary journals and online sites across the country and around the world. Her first memoir, Motherhood: Lost and Found, was named "One of the best Alzheimer's books of all time" by BookAuthority two years in a row.   Since 2017, Ann has been a manager/director of AlzAuthors.com, a nonprofit organization with the mission of sharing Alzheimer's and dementia resources to light the way for others. In 2018, she was recognized by her hometown newspaper as one of the Most Influential Women in her community for her work promoting Alzheimer's awareness.   Ann's second memoir, Celiac Mom, won the 2024 Silver Medal in the Nonfiction/Health category of the Readers' Favorite International Book Award. This book has become a "go-to" resource for the celiac community.   A social-media influencer, Ann uses her Instagram account @glutenfreeforgood to spread awareness about this condition. Ann's most recent book, The Shoulder Season: A Memoir of Fracture and Grace, shares her experience of going from a caregiver to someone who needed care after a serious injury.   Ann hopes it will provide hope and inspiration to those facing a season of health challenges. Ann and her husband live on Lake Norman in North Carolina and enjoy nightly sunsets.     About "The Shoulder Season":   After decades of being physically fit, riding and training horses, Ann's life skids to a stop when a seemingly innocuous accident (tripping over the dog) turns into a traumatic injury that shrinks her world. She succumbs to severe pain and faces difficult surgeries that require a two-year recovery.   On the brink of an empty nest, a few months before the pandemic, Ann is no longer the busy caregiver who juggles her family's needs along with her writing work and caring for her farm but becomes the person who needs care. Ann must discover a new identity and reimagine her future.   The Shoulder Season serves as a guide and an inspiration for those facing a life interrupted.    

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to host and celebrate the retirement of Dr. James Vickers.   About Dr. James Vickers:   Distinguished Professor Dr. Vickers has an extensive track record in interventional cohort studies, cognition, neurogenetics, health services research and neuroscience research, and has published over 200 refereed articles. Distinguished Prof Vickers has held several national leadership roles, such as President of the Australasian Neuroscience Society (ANS, 2014–2016) and Chair of the Scientific Panel of the Alzheimer's Australia Dementia Research Foundation (2014-2016).   He was awarded a Doctor of Science from University of Tasmania in 2005 in recognition of his contribution to neuroscience research. He is a Board Member of the Dementia Australia Research Foundation and a member of the Dementia Expert Reference Group for the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.    Dr. James Vickers officially announced his retirement as Director of the Wicking Dementia Research & Education Centre at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) at the end of December 2025.   The distinguished panel that joined in celebrating Dr. Vickers career and contributions to field of dementia included:   Bettina Morrow - Associate Director Adult Protective Services   Dr. Jane Alty - Professor of Neurology at University of Tasmania Staff Specialist in Neurology at Royal Hobart Hospital   Henry Brodaty - Scientia Professor Co-Director, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing UNSW   Agnieszka Chudecka - PICAC Alliance Secretariat Lead (Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care)   Tim England - Podcaster and Dementia Care Expert/Educator who De-mystifies and De-stigmatises Dementia.   Amy Sender - Dementia Consultant at Montefiore   Graeme Samuel AC - Professor. Chair Dementia Australia Research Foundation   Joanna Sun - Lecturer   Kate Lawler - Associate Professor, Physiotherapy La Trobe University, Australia   Dr. Kathleen Doherty - Senior Lecturer in Dementia at the Wicking Dementia Research and education Centre and program lead for Equip and DREAM- two federally funded projects aiming to improve the knowledge and understanding of the aged care workforce   Matt Kirkcaldie - Senior lecturer at University of Tasmania   Sarah-Kaye Page - Trainer and Assessor, The Gordon TAFE   Tanya Buchanan - Professor and CEO of Dementia Australia   With a special video from Alzheimer's Disease International.

All Home Care Matters and host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome the founders of GoInstaCare & Ways 2 Wellness as guests to the show.   About GoInstaCare:   GoInstaCare is a tech-based, caregiving App that connects families looking for care with background checked care providers, Instantly. The App is completely free to use. Go InstaCare App allows families to search for caregivers based on budget, skills, personality type, experience and many other criterion.   The best part is that the matched caregivers are available to talk to families right away. Moreover, families can even do a video call with caregivers they like. The system also works on feedback from families so good caregivers keep showing up on top of the search results.   By leveraging modern tech to connect care seekers directly with well-trained care providers across the country, GoInstaCare makes it possible for care seekers to receive the best quality care they need, anywhere, anytime and all of this at a very affordable rate.     About Amit Shrivastava:   Amit is co-founder and CEO of GoInstaCare. Before starting GoInstaCare, he owned a successful Home Care Company in Chicago, which he and his wife started from scratch and made it extremely successful.   Unfortunately, they had to sell their company because of their son's health as his body was not liking the cold and they moved to Austin, Texas a few years ago.     About Ways 2 Wellness:   Ways 2 Wellness creates engaging, custom-branded activity books designed to reduce loneliness and enhance cognitive health in seniors. By combining mental stimulation with meaningful branding, these resources not only promote well-being but also support organizations in strengthening their presence and outreach.   About Michael Herrington:   Michael Herrington is a passionate advocate for senior well-being and caregiver support. As President and Co-Founder of Ways 2 Wellness, he leads initiatives that combat loneliness and cognitive decline through engaging activity books and resources that keep seniors mentally sharp and emotionally connected.   With a strong background in publishing and marketing, Michael previously led large-scale sales and distribution efforts for major brands like Time Inc. and Comag Marketing Group. Now, he channels that expertise into Ways 2 Wellness, helping organizations create impactful, customized materials that enhance cognitive well-being and strengthen community connections.        

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome back Crystal Gallo as guest to the show.   About Crystal Gallo, Founder & CEO of Innerhive:   Crystal Gallo spent the past 15 years leading product and operation teams for high-growth technology companies.   She is a learner at the core and passionate about leveraging technology to solve difficult problems. Inspired by her personal journey as a family caregiver for loved ones navigating dementia and cancer, she founded Innerhive.    About Innerhive:    The app that supports caregivers with tools, resources, and community! Innerhive is focused on serving family caregivers who are providing and coordinating care for loved ones at home. Innerhive is committed to ending the burnout cycle by equipping caregivers with a central place to organize care details, build support networks, access resources, and collaborate with their community.   Innerhive is a trusted and transparent environment built to streamline care navigation and make it easy to engage community, so caregivers can advocate for their own wellness, as well as those they care for. Innerhive is committed to transforming how we care for one another and is on a mission to end caregiver burnout.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Peter Murphy Lewis back as guest to the show for a "Podcast Takeover" where Peter turns the microphone on Lance and interviews him.   About Peter Murphy Lewis:   Peter Murphy Lewis is a documentary filmmaker, CNA, and long-term care advocate who uses storytelling to spotlight the unsung heroes of caregiving. He is the creator of the docuseries People Worth Caring About, which reveals the real human stories behind the caregiving crisis in America.   With a background in marketing and content strategy, Peter brings a unique blend of empathy and clarity to both film and business. He's also the founder of Strategic Pete, a boutique consultancy helping mission-driven organizations grow through storytelling and scalable marketing systems.   His work has been featured in Care.com, Provider Magazine, Becker's Healthcare, McKnight's, and more. Peter lives next to a zoo in Kansas, sleeps in a hammock under the stars, and spends his mornings teaching his 8-year-old son to golf.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Tammy Lautner as guest to the show.   About Tammy Lautner:   Tammy Lautner is a registered social worker with over 20 years of experience supporting seniors and the family members who support them through complex aging related decisions. She is the founder of Peace of Mind Consulting and is known for helping people make sense of healthcare, housing, and government systems when things feel overwhelming or unclear.   Tammy serves on provincial and national committees focused on senior and caregiver advocacy and brings both professional expertise and real life experience into every conversation. Her approach is calm, practical, and deeply human, helping families feel steadier, more informed, and less alone.   About Peace of Mind Consulting:   Peace of Mind Consulting helps seniors and the family members who support them navigate the often complex systems of healthcare, housing, and government programs. The company provides guidance, advocacy, and emotional support, helping families feel steadier, more informed, and less alone as they make important decisions and plan for the future. 

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome the founders of AlzAuthors as guests to the show to discuss the history of AlzAuthors & the transition to All Home Care Matters.   AlzAuthors was founded in 2015 by three authors—Marianne Sciucco, Jean Lee, and Vicki Tapia—each of whom cared for and lost loved ones to dementia and wrote about those journeys.   The three first connected in 2015 on social media, began promoting each other's dementia-care books, and soon realized that a collaborative platform could help many more caregivers find trustworthy, experience-based resources in one place.   What began as a small, one-month blog project evolved into a worldwide network of nearly 400 authors across six continents, making AlzAuthors a trusted destination for Alzheimer's and dementia storytelling.   Over the past decade, the initiative has expanded to include curated books, a podcast, film festivals, virtual events, blogs, and other creative formats that center the voices of caregivers and people affected by dementia.   Transition to All Home Care Matters:   In January 2026, AlzAuthors transitioned to new leadership under All Home Care Matters, the caregiver-focused podcast and media platform founded by Lance A. Slatton.   All Home Care Matters will maintain AlzAuthors' established mission and brand while managing the website, producing future podcasts, and expanding opportunities for authors and cross-promotion so the community can grow without losing its core identity.   Legacy of the Marianne Sciucco, Jean Lee, and Vicki Tapia:   Co-founders Sciucco, Lee, and Tapia built AlzAuthors into a respected, volunteer-driven organization known for its rigorous review process and deep commitment to caregiver support.   Through this transition, their legacy lives on as All Home Care Matters stewards the next chapter, with plans to preserve what makes AlzAuthors unique while increasing its reach and impact for caregivers worldwide.    

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to welcome Carol Steinberg as guest to the show.   About Carol Steinberg:   Carol Steinberg is an accomplished writer and editor and a former award-winning journalist who contributed regularly to The New York Times, Success magazine, and other publications. She left journalism mid-career to serve for 15 years as an executive at local and national nonprofit organizations focused on Alzheimer's disease—a way of giving back after her father died as a result of the disease. Now semi-retired, she continues her involvement in the Alzheimer's community by writing the bimonthly newsletter for Voices of Alzheimer's as well as blogs on the topic, and appearing on podcasts and other media to discuss various aspects of the disease.   Based on her family's experience and her knowledge of Alzheimer's disease, Carol is the author of a new children's book—"Come Grandpa Meow, Let's Fly." The book uniquely features a heartfelt story about Alzheimer's plus a collection of intergenerational activities. It has been recognized by AlzAuthors as a valuable resource for caregivers and by Ella's Way for demonstrating the power of kindness.   About "Come Grandpa Meow, Let's Fly":   "Come Grandpa Meow, Let's Fly: A Heartfelt Children's Story About Alzheimer's Disease Plus a Guide to Intergenerational Activities" takes a unique approach to helping families navigate Alzheimer's disease or other related brain disorders. It features a tender children's story that explains the disease in age-appropriate language, designed to help young children understand the changes in a loved one and to alleviate fear and confusion. The story is uniquely complemented by a collection of empowering intergenerational activities, such as gardening and music, which respond to the question, "Now what?"—How can we foster a loving and respectful bond?   Author Carol Steinberg taps into her family's journey and extensive professional experience with Alzheimer's to realistically portray the disease and offer understanding and compassion to a condition that is often stigmatized. As the author notes, "In the face of this devastating disease, we are all looking for that 'moment'—a twinkle of joy, laughter, connection, or remembrance."   Accompanied by illustrator Chelsea Cooper's beautiful watercolor artwork, "Come Grandpa Meow, Let's Fly" tells the story of Lynnie, a young girl who cherishes spending time with her grandfather. When Grandpa Meow begins to struggle with their familiar activities and forgets who his granddaughter is, Lynnie's mom sensitively explains that Grandpa Meow has Alzheimer's. The conversation includes a powerful message: "We can try to help him remember how much we love him." Lynnie takes these words to heart and figures out how to strengthen their bond in a new way, relying on a song Grandpa Meow always sang to her as she flew through the air on a swing.   "Come Grandpa Meow, Let's Fly" has been recognized by AlzAuthors as a valuable resource for caregivers and by Ella's Way for demonstrating the power of kindness. Experts have called the book "stigma-busting," "well-crafted and poignant," and a "practical tool for meaningful conversations." A portion of each sale benefits the VoA Foundation, the educational arm of Voices of Alzheimer's.

All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton were honored to host and sponsor the annual All Home Care Matters New Years Eve Party at the Frenchtown Center for Active Adults.   Lance A. Slatton, founder and host of All Home Care Matters, proudly hosts and sponsors the Annual All Home Care Matters New Year's Eve Party at the Frenchtown Center for Active Adults. This special community celebration brings seniors, caregivers, and local leaders together to ring in the New Year with joy, connection, and appreciation.   As a nationally recognized home care advocate, author, and podcast host, Lance A. Slatton continues his mission of supporting seniors, caregivers, and aging adults by investing directly in the communities he serves. The New Year's Eve celebration highlights the importance of active aging, senior engagement, and community-based support for older adults.   This event reflects the core values of All Home Care Matters—honoring seniors, empowering caregivers, and fostering meaningful relationships that improve quality of life. Guests enjoyed a festive atmosphere, shared laughter, and a welcoming environment designed to celebrate life, independence, and togetherness.   📌 About All Home Care Matters:   All Home Care Matters is a leading platform dedicated to education, advocacy, and resources for seniors, family caregivers, and home care professionals. Through podcasts, community outreach, and events like this, Lance A. Slatton continues to raise awareness around aging, caregiving, dementia care, and senior wellness.   Connect with Lance A. Slatton - The Senior Care Influencer:   Official Website: https://www.lanceaslatton.com   Connect with All Home Care Matters:   Official Website: https://www.allhomecarematters.com   Connect with the Frenchtown Center for Active Adults:   Official Website:  https://www.frenchtownsenior.com/