MARY S. DANIEL: Caring Loud and Proud (and Creatively) During Covid and Beyond

In Episode 67, Don Priess and I have a candid - and inspiring - conversation with our first guest of the year, Mary S. Daniel, a Board-Certified Patient Advocate  whose mantra is "boldly advocate for your loved ones".  Leading by example, Mary showed us just what that looks like when she took a job as a dishwasher at the facility where her husband, Steve (diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2013 ), lived after being separated for 114 days during the lockdown due to COVID-19. The conversation delves into some of the very real challenges caregivers face navigating our ageist, ableist, and broken healthcare system that became glaringly apparent during the Covid era.  A fierce advocate, Mary shares the  incredible steps she took to make sure she kept a watchful eye and consistent connection with her husband, Steve, despite the seemingly impossible roadblocks.Mary founded the Facebook group "Caregivers for Compromise – because isolation kills too!" which has over 14,000 members and chapters in every state. Her grassroots effort got the attention of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis who named Mary to the Florida Task Force on the Safe and Limited Re-Opening of Long-Term Care Facilities. The recommendations of the Task Force were accepted by the Governor on September 1, 2020 and Essential Caregivers were allowed back in facilities to see their loved ones.On December 21, 2022, Mary announced that her beloved husband Steve, passed away peacefully that morning. One of her next posts simply said, "Now What?" Mary answers that question and much more in this "must listen"conversation. #healthcare #covid #Alzheimers #grieving #caregiving #carepartner #endalz #dementia #dementiacare #caregiver Send us Fan MailIf someone you love experienced neglect in a nursing home…Then you know how desperately the system needs to change.  History has shown us that It takes people power to change anything worthwhile. That’s why we we’re launching something that’s never been done before. On September 27, communities across the country are coming together for the first-ever National Long-Term Care Reform Day.This is a peaceful national walk for dignity, accountability, and change in long-term care.We’rSupport the showNo Country For Old People; a Nursing Home Exposé is STREAMING NOW on Amazon Prime (https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0F7D1RR5X/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r) Visit the No Country For Old People Website for more information.Please watch. Review. Share.Be a ROAR-ior!! JOIN THE R.O.A.R. MOVEMENT (Respect, Oversight, Advocacy, Reform) for quality long term care! Visit the ROAR 4 LTC Website for more information and consider participating in the inaugural National National Long-Term Care Day, Sunday, September 27th The 1st ever ROAR 2026 National Walk for Long-Term Care Reform! Found out more here: https://www.roar4ltc.org/roar-2026-walkFollow us on Twitter, FB, IG, & TiK Tok 💜 Listen on your favorite platform 💜 If you like what you hear leave us some love.  💜