Deb has spent her career trying to make life better for elders.  She  worked in long term care since 1983.  Prior to that she did home health care.  Over the 35 years in the industry she worked at five different facilities in a variety of organizational types. Among those are: the corporate arena, a social service agency, a privately owned home with an unlimited budget, and two county-owned homes.  Her career mission has been the design, development and the maintaining of person-centered, activity-focused special care units caring for people with Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias.  The variety of types of homes with varied income sources required she prove that fabulous person-centered programs can happen no matter what the budget – if you think outside the box.

Deb has also done consulting and public speaking – both locally and nationally – throughout  her career.  She was a leader in education at RUSH Alzheimer’s Disease Center for the ASSIST Network, annual CNA conferences, and Special Care Unit leader certification courses.  She was part of a small group of professionals who developed and wrote SUB Part U for the State of Illinois Special Care Unit regulations.  She has helped create – and been featured in – many education films in collaboration with TERRA NOVA to help caregivers of every discipline provide better care.  Deb has run Alzheimer’s Association support groups and independent Alzheimer’s support groups, creating family  and friend care partnership programs for caregivers after placement of their loved ones to a facility.

Now retired but still dedicated to making life better for people with dementia, she continues to present education sessions at different venues through out the state.  She was on the steering committee for Northern Illinois Pioneer Coalition, and now serves as the President of IAPA. Her goal is to work with the Board to build the organization’s membership, increase awareness of IAPA throughout Illinois and, with the Board, put together fabulous, affordable annual education conferences for all activity professionals.  She speaks with Administrators throughout the state to help them gain understanding of how important the Activity Professional’s role is to the people they serve.  She advocates for the type of education offered  by IAPA,  and helps them to see how it can put their facility on the radar for people seeking a special place for their loved one, helping to ensure people are happy with their quality of life.  “Everything in life is an activity, and IAPA is here to make life special. We have over 40 years of Making Life Magical!”

Deb is the winner of the 2024 Larry-Madge Award!