Eldercare and Dementia

Eldercare and Dementia discusses eldercare issues that arise for people when they are entering the latter stages of life including the needs that occur after a patient has been diagnosed with Dementia. Among the topics are services for eldercare, financial and estate issues, living wills, power of attorney and understanding Medicare and Medicaid.  In this episode the panel of experts answers questions presented by the studio audience to address the many different areas of eldercare.

Panel of Experts

Dr. Anna Fisher serves as the Hillcrest Health Services health, quality, and nursing services education expert. She is responsible for the implementation of educational and quality improvement programs following the identification of clinical needs, competency exams, and supporting the need for high quality of care for diverse business lines that include assisted living, memory support, adult day services, home health care, palliative, hospice, post-acute, and skilled nursing care.

Dr. Fisher is also an adjunct professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Bellevue University and teaches in the Masters-Health Administration Program. She was awarded the prestigious Maenner Award for Professorship of the Year in 2012.

Dr. Fisher is co-producer of the Nebraska Public Media (formerly NET Television) program series, Now What?, about elder care and dementia. The program series recently received a 2012 Bronze Award of Excellence from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association under the category of Service to Community.

Dr. Fisher is currently President of the Consortium of Dementia Alternatives and President of the Montessori International School of the Plains. She is a certified dementia practitioner, licensed nurse, and holds an undergraduate degree in human resources, graduate degree in business management, and a doctorate in health administration.

Helen Crunk has 15 years nursing experience in long-term care settings. She is an Administrator of Hillcrest Mable Rose. Helen is a certified dementia practitioner and dementia care expert who is responsible for all team member education     regarding dementia care best practice standards.

Helen received her Bachelor’s degree in Health Administration from Bellevue University. She has held    numerous board and committee positions that include: Chair of Nebraska Assisted Living Association;   Nebraska Health Care Association Executive Board Member; Nebraska Health Care Foundation Board Member; National Center for Assisted Living Board Member; National Center for Assisted Living Quality Committee Member; National Center for Assisted Living Policy and Finance Committee Member; National Center for Assisted Living State Leader; Secretary of Nebraska Health Care Foundation Board; and Bellevue Young Professional Group.

Helen is a two-time recipient of the National Administrator of the Year awarded by National Center for Center for Assisted Living; 2010 Bellevue, NE Business Woman of the Year; and a 2011 recipient of the Midlands Business Journal 40 under 40 award.

Carol Ernst is currently the Executive Director and has operational responsibility at Eastmont Towers, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Lincoln.  She received her Bachelors degree in Community Service Counseling at Wayne State College and her Masters in Educational Counseling Psychology from the University of Nebraska.   She is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator.  

Carol’s background includes oversight of independent senior living, assisted living, skilled nursing, end of life care, and (previously) acute rehabilitation. She serves on the Boards of Directors for Nebraska Health Care Association, LeadingAge Nebraska, Community Health Charities, and Center Pointe.  She is a native Nebraskan who grew up near Columbus.  

Dr. Daniel Murman received his medical degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in 1989 and then completed a Neurology residency, fellowship and graduate training at the University of Michigan in 1996.  Dr. Mur7an’s subspeci alty training is in Behavioral and Geriatric Neurology. Following this training, Dr. Murman was on the faculty of Michigan State University from 1997 to 2004 and then joined the faculty of the Department of Neurological Sciences at UNMC in 2004. 

Since returning to UNMC, Dr. Murman has focused his research and clinical activity on the evaluation and treatment of patients with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative diseases.  Since 2011, Dr. Murman has served as interim Chair of the Department of Neurological Sciences.

Abbie J. Widger is a partner with the law firm of Johnson, Flodman, Guenzel & Widger. She has been in practice since 1988. Abbie’s practice is primarily focused in the areas of health care and administrative law. She is general counsel to The Nebraska Health Care Association. Her duties include assisting with reviewing regulations impacting long-term care, understanding survey and certification issues related to long-term care, as well as reimbursement issues. She provides general education to the NHCA, reviews contracts and addresses a variety of issues.

Abbie represents long-term care facilities including nursing facilities and assisted living facilities. She represents professional licensees such as physicians, dentists, pharmacists, and nurses on disciplinary actions. Abbie has presented in-service training and education in the areas of compliance, documentation, advance directives, informal dispute resolution, Medicaid appeals, survey and enforcement, resident service agreements, and fraud and abuse. Abbie has taught advanced family law at the University of Nebraska College of Law.