Jacqueline Marcell

Jacqueline Marcell is the author of her riveting true story, "Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please! How To Survive Caring For Aging Parents." A former college professor and television executive, she gave up her life for a year to go take care of her elderly parents. After fighting through an unsympathetic medical system and enduring her father's rages, her ingenuity and loving persistence turned around a seemingly impossible situation with her difficult father. It also changed a life-altering near tragedy into a book that's having a broad appeal, considering that over 50 million American's struggle to provide care for aging family members.

Jacqueline is now an advocate for eldercare awareness and reform and has appeared on CNN, NBC, Good Morning America, Lifestyle Magazine, and Iyanla. She replaced an ailing Maureen Reagan at the California Governor's Conference for Women, presenting a caregiving seminar with California First Lady, Sharon Davis. She has presented for the Alzheimer's Association, Hospice, Epilepsy Foundation, Young Presidents Organization, The American Society on Aging, and at numerous conferences. The National Adult Day Services Association honored her with their 2002 Media Award.

Jacqueline uses humor to captivate her audience, as she educates families and professionals on how to make caregiving more manageable medically and behaviorally. Continuing Education Units (CEU's) and Continuing Medical Education Credits (CME's) can be obtained for her seminars.

A few years ago, Jacqueline was so compelled by the heart-wrenching experience of caring for her elderly parents (both with Alzheimer’s which was not properly diagnosed for over a year), she gave up her 15-year career as a television executive to become an advocate for eldercare awareness and reform. In the beginning, her once-adoring father turned verbally and physically abusive towards her, and she was heartbroken to have lost his love. But then it was so astonishing because every time she took him to a doctor—he could act completely normal when he needed to. It was an unbelievable nightmare for over a year, as she endured her father’s wrath while fighting through an unsympathetic medical system, but with sheer determination she finally solved the endless crisis—medically and behaviorally.

ADVERSITY LEADS TO ADVOCACY
Furious that she was needlessly put through so much misery, she felt compelled to: write her first book and launch a radio program to help caregivers; share her knowledge on hundreds of radio/television programs; write articles which have been widely published; be featured in high-visibility media including CNN, Woman’s Day, Prevention, and the cover of the AARP Bulletin; write a weekly Elder Care Blog; and to deliver over one hundred Keynotes—including to the California Governor’s Conference for Women and the Florida House of Representatives.

BOOK & HONORS
She is the author and publisher of Elder Rage, a Book-of-the-Month Club selection being considered for a feature film. The Addendum by renowned dementia specialist, Dr. Rodman Shankle, makes it valuable for healthcare professionals (including doctors), and helped make it required reading at numerous universities for courses in geriatric assessment and management. Over fifty endorsements include: Hugh Downs, Regis Philbin and the National Adult Day Services Association--who honored me with their Media Award. I was also honored to receive “Advocate of the Year” from the National Association of Women Business Owners at their Remarkable Women Awards.

MOST REQUESTED TOPICS:

Laughter & Tears in the Caregiving Years
Jacqueline Marcell was so compelled by being the sole caregiver to her challenging elderly father and sweet but ailing mother for a year (both with early Alzheimer’s which was not properly diagnosed), that once she finally figured everything out — she gave up her stalled career as a television executive to become an advocate for eldercare awareness and reform.

Infuriation about all she had been put through so needlessly and passion to save others from a similar experience, resulted in her first (self-published/best-selling) book, “Elder Rage, or Take My Father… Please!  How to Survive Caring for Aging Parents”; a popular radio program, “Coping With Caregiving”; media including TODAY, CNN, PBS Documentary, NPR, Woman’s Day, Prevention, AARP Bulletin cover story (circ. 22 million); widely published articles, two blogs and a column; and over 150 keynotes — including replacing Maureen Reagan at the California Governor’s Conference for Women, and to the National Security Agency and Florida House of Representatives.

Having been a college professor in her first life, Jacqueline “edu-tains” with poignant and humorous anecdotes from her own caregiving experience, keeping an audience rivited. She’s presented at small rural events and at large national conferences and is experienced with workshops, roundtables, moderating or being part of a panel, and presenting daylong seminars herself. She is also available to do media to help promote your event.

SPECIFIC PROGRAM AREAS:
Most of these topics can be included in a 60-120 minute presentation with Q&A, modified for the focus/theme of your event, and adjusted to any type of audience from: students, families, business executives, healthcare professionals and doctors (CEU/CME’s), to senior citizens with mild dementia. Jacqueline can also speak about writing, self-publishing, obtaining celebrity endorsements, and how to embrace gratitude and humor to remain positive through life’s challenges. 

• Long-Term Care Insurance and Long-Term Life Planning
• Normal Aging vs. Dementia/Alzheimer’s: Warning Signs, Stages, Types, Statistics
• Finding the Right Medical Team for an Accurate Diagnosis, Prognosis and Treatment
• Behavior Modification/Management: Distraction/Redirection, Reminiscence, Validation, Rewards
• Getting Elders to: See a Doctor, Take Meds, Stop Driving, Accept Caregiver, Attend Day Care, Move, etc.
• Managing: Repetitive Behaviors, Wandering, Paranoia, Hallucinations, Delusions, Sun-downing
• Hiring Caregivers and Geriatric Care Managers
• Adult Day Care
• Elder Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation
• Moving to Assisted Living, Skilled Nursing, Dementia Care
• Support Groups, Resources, Hospice
• Care for the Caregiver: Coping with Stress, Guilt and Grief
• Preparing for Our Own Later Years; Prevention of Dementia
• Surviving Breast Cancer: the importance of closely monitoring our own health

Elder Rage
Selected by the Book-of-the-Month Club, “Elder Rage” has received hundreds of five-star Amazon reviews and is being considered for a feature film. The addendum by a renowned dementia specialist makes it valuable for healthcare professionals (including doctors) and required text at numerous universities for courses in geriatric assessment and management. Over 50 endorsements include: Hugh Downs, Regis Philbin, Leeza Gibbons, Dr. Dean Edell, Johns Hopkins Memory Clinic, and the National Adult Day Services Association, who bestowed their Media Award. Jacqueline also received “Advocate of the Year” from the National Association of Women Business Owners at their Remarkable Women Awards.

REFERENCES (more available by request)

Thank you so much for your superb presentation at our Alzheimer's Research Seminar, part of our federally-funded Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center. The audience included dementia specialists, senior neurologists and neuro-psychologists, scientists, nurses, fellows, residents, medical students, clinical research staff, and family caregivers from New England who came specifically to hear you. And, what a fabulous presentation it was! Your ability to combine humor, personal insight, wisdom, and critical meaningful guidance to all of us involved in the web of care for those with dementia was sensational. Each gained useful tips and tools that will enrich our professional practices and personal experiences.—Robert Stern, Ph.D., Director of the Alzheimer's Disease Clinical and Research Program, Boston University School of Medicine

Jacqueline was a smash-hit keynoter at our 26th Annual Arkansas Aging Conference. She was totally at ease in front of more than 500 rapt listeners with animated, emphatic, witty and wise stories of sorrow and success as a caregiver. Then, after an extra 90-minute presentation (which still left us all wanting even 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 and teach—no, we are delighted! —Ron Tatus, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Arkansas Department of Health and Human Services, Little Rock, AR

Thank you for making our Caregiver's Forum an overwhelming success! The response to your presentations has been excellent with comments like these: ‘Very informative and touching’…’brought humor and a lighter side to issues that can tear you apart’…‘wonderful, very interesting, kept your attention.’ The pre-conference publicity you did was responsible for a substantial increase in family caregivers attending our program. —Cathy Schmale, Case Manager, East Madison/Monona Coalition of the Aging, Madison, WI

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

How do you describe something better than excellent?! One attendee to our conference said her grandmother had Alzheimer’s, lived in their home, and so appreciated that Jacqueline really understood what her household actually went through—but that the doctor never got the picture. She added, ‘Only a caregiver who has been there knows the whole truth and is the only one who can give you all those little extra tips of what to try next.’ —Judy Story, Key Club Adult Day Care Center, Danville, IL

On behalf of the medical staff of Centinela Freeman Regional Medical Center who attended your CME lecture on Alzheimer’s Disease, thank you for an excellent presentation! The physicians were specialists in various fields of medicine and as indicated by their evaluations, thoroughly enjoyed your talk. Through your discussion on AD, which included warning signs and stages, as well as creative ways to effectively manage patients, you helped educate physicians and that means you have potentially improved patient care. —Kelly Hollister, Director of Physician Relations, Centinela Freeman Hospital, Marina Del Rey, CA

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

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

Great presentations! Thanks for your personal insight and practical information, which is invaluable to nurses who care for A.D. patients. We also greatly appreciated your poignant and humorous anecdotes! —Dorothy Angelini, RN, Dir. of Continuing Ed, Provider-Directed Activities, Nursing Spectrum, PA

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

Thank you, Jacqueline, for being one of our special celebrity guests at our annual Memory Walk and for helping us raise awareness by promoting it for us via your large database. We drew a crowd of over 2,000 enthusiastic walkers and raised nearly a half-million dollars to fight Alzheimer's! —Barbara Goen, Senior Director of Communications & Marketing, Los Angeles Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, CA

Jacqueline’s high-energy presentation at our inaugural kickoff of the Nevada Women's Expo absolutely captivated the audience! —Kristy Hawke, Executive Director, Nevada Women’s Expo, Reno, NV

Thank you so much for your informative presentation at our annual symposium, providing members with a broader perspective on financial and life planning. By educating on the beginning of Alzheimer’s/dementia and the resultant caregiving and eldercare issues that can arise, we have greater insight and are better equipped to help our clients. The evaluations are excellent—and thank you for donating $5 per book to our organization. —Robert Bjur, CFP®, President, Financial Planning Association of Puget Sound, WA

Your presentation at our Grand Rounds was extremely well received and the evaluations are very favorable. By highlighting the psychosocial issues in addition to the medical treatment, you have certainly made all of us who heard your presentation more compassionate, concerned and effective physicians. —Kenneth L. Cohen, MD, Retired Chief of Internal Medicine, USC School of Medicine, CA

We at the Geriatrics Center are very impressed with your level of knowledge, presentation style and genuine enthusiasm for your mission. You effectively touched on a sensitive topic for many people, while evoking their desire to reach out for help. We have received numerous calls since your riveting presentations. —Amy Kilgore, Communications Specialist, Akron General Medical Center, Akron, OH

We are overjoyed with your presentations! You held the audience’s attention for over two hours with incredible compassion, humor and candid heartfelt honesty. We sincerely appreciated your easy-going manner, graciousness, and planning including your extensive Guidelines and suggestions, which made our jobs so much easier! Attendees wrote: ‘Hearing Jacqueline's experience was priceless.’…’There’s nothing more helpful than to hear from the heart of one who has been there.’…’I came 90 miles to hear her and it was worth every mile!’ Thanks Jacqueline — you are the greatest!! —Lori Kostors, Family Caregiver Support Program, Aging & Adult Care of Central WA

Jacqueline’s seminar was a wonderful experience! Her ability to connect with the audience is extraordinary—as she demonstrates a level of understanding and compassion that is unprecedented. For an innovative program that is truly beneficial for caregivers--I highly recommend her!"  —Margaret Wallace, Family Caregiver Program Director, Aging & In-Home Services of NE Indiana

Your conference keynote and special evening session for community caregivers at our 49th Annual Kirkpatrick Conference were outstanding! Your sessions were rated the best part of the conference and people commented that this was the very best conference of all 49! —Kathy Segrist, Fisher Institute for Wellness & Gerontology, Ball State University, Muncie, IN

Jacqueline Marcell is one of the very best speakers we have had in our 53 years of meetings, on a par with Ray Bradbury, Steve Allen and Michael York. Audience involvement was so intense that our meeting ran way over schedule. She is very enthusiastic and generous in her advice! —Jean Desmond, Member Outreach, Southwest Manuscripters, Torrance, CA

Your excellent session on Alzheimer’s was of great interest to our nurses and health care workers. These professionals will now be able to provide resources and direction to families because of your time and efforts. Your valuable advice is making a difference in many lives!—Mimi A. Sackett, VP, Occupational Health Nurses Association, Orange County, CA

In 27 years, I have to rank Jacqueline among the very best speakers we've ever had. She's a multi-vitamin E package--ENTERTAINING, EDUCATIONAL, ENLIGHTENING & ENERGIZED. She has all the winning ingredients of an outstanding speaker and she’s welcome back on our stage anytime!—Irwin Zucker, Founder/President Emeritus, Book Publicists of Southern California

PRODUCT:
Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please!
How To Survive Caring For Aging Parents - Book - ($24.95)