Author Talk Topics

“Thank you for being a person that shares their story, I think that this type of information is better received coming from a person who went through it themselves and has that firsthand experience. I believe the families in the group really appreciated that.” – Maggie Schaffer, Bentley Commons

Contact Nicole to speak on caregiving/dementia topics:

hello@njsmithbooks.com

Dementia Dilemma: With no known cause or cure, why should someone seek a dementia diagnosis? Basic overview of different types of dementia and the most recent testing options and current treatments discussed.
Where, Care, & Cost: Encouraging conversations about aging in place or moving as it relates to living near family, hired help coming in, building an ADU, or living in a retirement community. Who will provide care? A spouse, child, relative, or paid provider? Cost of care and living decisions vary considerably and should be part of the decision equation.
Get Your Documents in Order & Ducks in a Row: The importance of understanding the legal, financial, and medical documents necessary to allow family members to advocate on your behalf and prudent preparation planning for anyone over 55. Powers of Attorney, Beneficiary Designation, POLST/MOLST and more.
Death Deck Discussions: Topic discussions driven by cards contained in the death deck series to facilitate comfort in talking about the touchy subjects of declining health, dementia, and dying! The Death Deck, The EOL (end of life) Deck, and the Dementia Deck www.thedeathdeck.com
Dementia Warning Signs & What to Look For: The “that’s weird” moments we missed and the four common areas to pay closer attention to: Driving, Cooking, Medication Management, and Family Finances.
The 10 Talk A talk reviewing the “10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer’s” published by the Alzheimer’s Association with relevant stories and examples for each sign.
Creating a Core Caregiving Support Team: Caregiving is tough any way you slice it. Caregiver health suffers. It is important to build a team from friends, family, clergy, and paid professionals to navigate the caregiving maze and save your sanity. Nicole shows you how.