My Care Friends

For those of you in Denver, we hope you join us for our very special event on Monday, March 24 at University of Denver. For everyone else, stay tuned for next week's announcement with details about our upcoming virtual screening of Keys Bags Names Words. #dementia #patientadvocacy #caregiving

We've likely all heard news about the passing of Gene Hackman and his wife. A very sad story, not because he was a celebrity -- but because he was a human being and his situation was like so many people and their families. Here's an excellent article, whether you're caregiver now or may find yourself in that situation just as unexpectedly as our Founder/CEO, Todd Keitz, found himself back in 2018. #caregivers #patientadvocates #caregiversupport #patientsupport #family https://lnkd.in/eEy6nAsF

A week ago we announced the My Care Friends screening of a wonderful documentary called Keys Bags Names Words: Hope in Aging and Dementia. It will take place at the University of Denver on March 24 at 4:30 MT. The film was made possible by the Global Brain Health Institute. Keys Bags Names Words is a quirky and inspiring lens portraying stories of both the personal and global impacts of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, while following a cohort of young scientists and artists from around the world as they harness every aspect of creativity, humor and compassion to lead the way towards hope and resilience. Thank you to the many people who have reacted so enthusiastically here on LinkedIn and those in the Denver area community that have already purchased tickets. We invite you to watch the 30-second trailer below -- and for folks in Denver to visit this link to learn more and register. https://lnkd.in/eirriC8M #Denver #Dementia #Alzheimers #Caregiving #PatientAdvocacy

We are INCREDIBLY excited to announce the upcoming launch of My Care Friends' newest series of programs, called Hope in Aging and Dementia. We will kick off the series on March 24th at the University of Denver, with a LIVE in-person screening of the film Keys Bags Names Words: Hope in Aging and Dementia - a film made possible by The Global Brain Health Institute. This yet-to-be-widely-released powerful documentary explores dementia from a global perspective, highlighting the lived experiences of individuals, families, and caregivers across diverse cultures. (Note: stay tuned for a date for our separate virtual screening of the film.) The screening of Keys Bags Names Words is the 1st program within the My Care Friends ongoing series of programs that looks at Dementia around the world. Follow My Care Friends here on LinkedIn, as well as on Facebook, to stay informed about programs throughout the year related to our Hope in Aging and Dementia series, as well as our other series such as Women & Autoimmune Diseases, and our upcoming XR (VR/AR) in Healthcare. Immediately prior to and after the March 24th film screening on that night, we will have a special panel attending both live and virtually. This panel represents some of the foremost thought-leaders and advocates related to Dementia. This includes (in alphabetical order): Dr. Rebecca Chopp - Former Chancellor of the University of Denver, who was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer's in 2019. Since then, she has written a book called "Still Me" and become active advocate on the topic of Alzheimer's. Raj Dasgupta MD, FACP, FCCP, FAASM - Quadruple board-certified physician, who is Internal Medicine Associate Program Director at Huntington Hospital in California, Chief Medical Officer for Aegis Living, and frequent voice on media platforms, television shows and podcasts, including his The Dr. Raj Podcast. Cindy Koch (Cook) - Founder and Owner of Aging at 5280, and Past President of the National Placement & Referral Alliance, she is a visionary and advocate of ethics and best practices for individuals advising seniors. Lori La Bey - Creator of Alzheimer's Speaks in 2009, cofounder of Dementia Map global resource directory, and co-host/co-producer of Conscious Caregiving with L&L, she is a top influencer in the arena of dementia. Lance A. Slatton - Known throughout the world as "The Senior Care Influencer", and host of the multi-award-winning podcast All Home Care Matters - as well as a journalist for McKnight's Home Care News, AgeBuzz, and?DailyCaring.com. Cynthia Stone - An award-winning writer. Producer. Editor. Cynthia's work has appeared on PBS, Public Radio International/BBC, Discovery, and more. She is the Director of, and heart behind, Keys Bags Names Words. Our CEO,Todd Keitz and VP of Programming and Community, Katie Seymour, Ed.D will moderate this panel. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER --> https://lnkd.in/eirriC8M Watch a trailer of the film --> https://lnkd.in/gsFcHXPR

The difference between the types of drug development can be quite complex, but this is an excellent, understandable and fun analogy by David Fajgenbaum, MD, MBA, MScf (former D1 QB and founder of Every Cure) -- for caregivers, advocates, patients, and anyone! ?? ?? Listen, enjoy, and learn. #caregivers #patientadvocates #drugdevelopment

Happy National Caregivers Day! Today, and everyday at My Care Friends, we celebrate the remarkable strength, compassion, and dedication of caregivers everywhere. Whether you’re caring for a loved one, a neighbor, or anyone, the love and selflessness you show do not go unnoticed. We are deeply honored to support caregivers who are the unsung heroes in our communities. As caregivers ourselves, we understand the emotional, physical, and mental challenges that come with caregiving, and we are committed to providing the resources, tools, and community to help make your journey a bit easier. Although it may not seem like it at times or at all, please remember you are seen, appreciated, and most importantly, you are making a difference. Thank you for all you do!! #NationalCaregiversDay #ThankYouCaregivers #SupportForCaregivers

As part of our commitment to understanding the diverse experiences of family caregivers, I'm excited to share the National Alliance for Caregiving's latest research into Parkinson's disease (PD) caregiving with The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research and Arcadia University. Behind every serious illness are families navigating the profound responsibilities of caregiving: ?? On average, PD caregivers dedicate 31 hours weekly - a time commitment that mirrors the challenges faced by millions caring for loved ones with chronic conditions ?? 1 in 3 experience high physical strain - highlighting the universal need for better support systems and respite care ?? Nearly 50% report significant emotional stress - reflecting the deep emotional investment family caregivers make ?? Most telling: 43% need more resources to manage stress - a call to action that resonates across all caregiving communities. Understanding the unique challenges faced by Parkinson's disease caregivers helps illuminate paths forward for all family caregivers. These insights are crucial building blocks for developing comprehensive support systems that strengthen families navigating complex care. To build these vital support networks, we must expand supports through #Medicaid and #Medicare - making this a critical time to increase our investment, not scale back. Read our 2025 Parkinson's Family Caregiving Report here: https://lnkd.in/gpDS88bg #Parkinsons #Caregiving #Healthcare #CaregiversMatter #SeriousIllness #Research

I love when my worlds intersect!! As founder/CEO of both My Care Friends and 17 Commerce, LLC, every day I'm excited to get up and interact with amazing individuals, organizations, and companies who are committed to the Patient First ethos that drives me. In 2017, I met Giorgio Koppehele and his wife Suna Koppehele at an evening event in San Francisco...then in 2019, I met Giorgio's brother, Martin Koppehele and his wife Gabi Koppehele at a conference in Amsterdam. Soon after we began collaborating to bring Magic Horizons to the U.S. market under the 17 Commerce umbrella. This has led to wonderful opportunities within the private and public sector, where Magic Horizons is growing each week. In 2023, I met Lance A. Slatton of All Home Care Matters through mutual connections. Since then, we've referred connections to each other to help enhance the lives of patients, caregivers and advocates across the country and around the world. Additionally, we've been guests on each other's podcast and collaborated in various ways. The intersection of bringing Lance together with Giorgio, Martin, Suna and Gabi has me smiling widely. They are all awesome people individually and that comes through in many ways -- not least of which is their commitment to Patient First. I'm excited for this collaboration and welcome Lance to the Magic Horizons family! #headsinheadsets #virtualreality #homecare #advocacy

Melissa’s journey to a scleroderma diagnosis was anything but straightforward. It began in 2008 with Raynaud’s symptoms in her hands and feet, as well as chilblains and nodules on her fingers. While she sought care early, Melissa’s lab results appeared normal, leaving her without answers for nearly a decade. “I saw many specialists over the years and often felt dismissed,” Melissa shares. “There were times I believed others thought I was over-exaggerating my symptoms and the way I felt." Her symptoms worsened to include severe joint pain and significant gastrointestinal issues. In 2021, after a positive ANA test, she was diagnosed with Limited Cutaneous Systemic Sclerosis (LcSSc). Reflecting on the challenges of her diagnostic journey, Melissa channeled her experiences into writing. In 2024, she published "Invisible: A Nurse-Turned-Patient’s Resource to Living Well with Autoimmune Disease". Her book combines medical knowledge, patient stories, and practical advice to address topics such as self-advocacy, the mental and physical toll of autoimmune diseases, and the importance of resilience. “I wanted to create a resource that was both medically sound and reflected the patient experience,” Melissa says. “My hope is that this book will help others feel less alone and, more importantly, not invisible.” These days, she is a passionate advocate in the search for a cure. "Research is critical to finding a cure for this awful disease,” Melissa says. “I participate in as many studies and clinical trials as I can. While I know that it is unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating, I believe that my role will be invaluable to understanding and unlocking this disease for future patients.” We are deeply grateful to Melissa for sharing her story and for her support of the scleroderma community. At the Scleroderma Research Foundation (SRF), we share her dedication to advancing research toward a cure for this challenging disease. To learn more about how the SRF is funding and facilitating the most promising, highest quality research, visit our website: https://srfcure.org/ #research #sclerodermaresearch #srfcure #scleroderma