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Jacqueline Marcell B.S.
Jacqueline Marcell Quick Facts
Main Areas: Caregiving, Alzheimer's, Eldercare, Breast CancerBest Sellers: Elder Rage, or Take My Father... Please! How to Survive Caring For Aging Parents
Career Focus: Eldercare Advocate: Author, International Speaker, Radio Host
Irvine, CA: I barely survived the most wrenching year of my life as the sole caregiver to my aggressive elderly father and sweet but ailing mother, both with early Alzheimer’s not properly suspected nor diagnosed for over a year. But after fighting through an unsympathetic medical system, and having my once-adoring father hauled off by the police for violence (choked me) several times for evaluation at a psychiatric hospital where he’d promptly be released, and burning through my parents’ life savings and most of my own--with sheer determination I solved the endless crisis medically and behaviorally.
Infuriation about all I had been put through so needlessly compelled me to give up my stalled 15-year career as a television executive to become an advocate for eldercare awareness and reform. Passion to save others from a similar experience somehow resulted in my first (bestselling) book “Elder Rage”; producing/hosting a radio program, “Coping With Caregiving”, broadcast free six years with over 700 archived interviews; media including TODAY, CNN, PBS Documentary, NPR, Woman’s Day, Prevention, AARP Bulletin cover story; on the Board of Directors of FAIR Foundation--advocating for Fair Allocations in Research funds from Congress and the NIH; a syndicated column, Q&A column and two Blogs; and over 150 Keynotes--including to the California Governor’s Conference, numerous chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association and Area Agencies on Aging, the National Security Agency (closed-circuit to 36,000 NSA employees worldwide), and to the Florida House of Representatives.
I also speak about surviving invasive breast cancer (six surgeries/numerous complications), sharing insights gained from both sides of the caregiving aisle. I stress the importance for everyone (especially caregivers) to closely monitor their own health--promoting the value of gratitude, affirmations, visualization and humor to overcome life’s challenges--and to never give up! (I also speak about writing and self-publishing.)
ELDER RAGE is a Book-of-the-Month Club selection (the first time a book on caregiving ever selected), receiving 251 five-star Amazon reviews and being considered for a feature film. Over 50 endorsements include: Hugh Downs, Regis Philbin, John Hopkins Memory Clinic, Duke University Center for Aging and Harvard Medical School. The Addendum by renowned neurologist/dementia specialist, Rodman Shankle, MS MD (former Medical Director UCI Alzheimer’s Center), makes it also valuable for healthcare professionals (including doctors) and required text at numerous universities for courses in geriatric assessment and management.
MISSION: To help improve eldercare laws; encourage long-term care planning/insurance; enlighten healthcare professionals how to better help families; provide solutions and hope to caregivers; advocate for fair funding from the NIH for Alzheimer’s and Breast Cancer research and heighten early diagnosis awareness; expose elder abuse and exploitation; bring attention to the value of Adult Day Care, which saved my parents’ lives as well as my own. I’ve testified before the Assistant Secretary on Aging and received a Media Award from the National Adult Day Services Association. I was also honored with “Advocate of the Year” from the National Association of Women Business Owners at their Remarkable Women Awards.
Other Programs & Highlights
Seminar Available for Sale on CD:
14/hr CD, which includes my 2½ hr lecture, plus valuable information from 11 other top eldercare experts on: Paying for long-term care at home and otherwise; Alzheimer’s Disease; Guide to having “the conversation” about end-of-life issues; Caregiving from a distance; Coping with anger, guilt, grief; Cooperating with siblings; Maintaining sanity; What’s legal and what’s not; Long Term Care Insurance, How to hire help; Affirmations; Disaster preparedness; Protecting life savings, etc, etc: $150.00. My 2.5/hr CD portion only is $50. Just call with your credit card handy: 949-975-1012.
Favorite Quotes & Thoughts from Jacqueline Marcell
SPEAKING REFERENCES (more available by request)
Jacqueline, thank you so much for your superb presentation at our Alzheimer's Seminar. The audience included dementia specialists, senior neurologists, neuro-psychologists, scientists, nurses, students, and family 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 critical 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., 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, Arkansas Dept of Health and Human Services
Without exception, our 300+ participants highly rated Jacqueline’s presentation as excellent! She expertly and humorously educates by strengthening the hearts of family caregivers—while empowering the mission of professional caregivers.
—Joan Douthit, BSA Hospice, Amarillo, TX
Thank you so much for your outstanding keynote at our 6th International Elder Care Conference! You educated and inspired over 300 nurses and healthcare professionals who earned CEU’s, and who rated your session quite highly. Comment: ‘It was an excellent conference and I really enjoyed Jacqueline’s presentation!’
—Becky Bays, Registered Nurses' Association, Toronto
Your information will help so many more people than the 80 who heard you because you educated presidents of major U.S. corporations about the importance of early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, and the treatments that can help delay fulltime care. We will spread your knowledge to thousands of employees, which will save 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, Young Presidents’ Organization
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, NY
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
We are overjoyed with your presentations! You held the audience’s attention 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, WA
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®, Financial Planning Assoc of Puget Sound
