Patricia R. Callone
Director of Institutional and Community Relations for the Creighton Study of Violence Across the Lifespan (Emphasis concerning Elder Abuse/Mistreatment)
More about me:
I have been at Creighton University since 1979 and held a number of positions: Associate Dean for the Lifelong Learning Center, Associate Dean for University College, Assistant to the President, Vice President for Institutional Relations…and now Director of Institutional and Community Relations for the Creighton Study of Violence Across the Lifespan…with emphasis concerning Elder Abuse/Mistreatment.

For 18 years I was a caregiver to my mom, dad, and aunt -- all died from Alzheimer’s disease and related complications. When my father was still alive in 2001, I began writing about Alzheimer’s disease with 4 other co-authors: Barbara C. Vasiloff, MA, Co-Founder of Discipline with Purpose, Inc.; Connie Kudlacek, BS, Founding Director of the Midlands Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association; Janaan Manternach, DMin, Co-author of Life, Love, Joy Catechetical Series; Roger A. Brumback, MD, Professor of Pathology and Psychiatry and Chairman of the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, Creighton University. Together we have authored two books that are published by Demos Medical Publications. They are Alzheimer’s Disease – The Dignity Within: A Handbook for Caregivers, Family, and Friends (2006) and A Caregiver’s Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier (2006).

The American Journal of Nursing gave our book Alzheimer’s Disease – The Dignity Within: A Handbook for Caregivers, Family, and Friends…a 2007 Book Award in the Consumer Health area. In 2008 our book A Caregiver’s Guide to Alzheimer’s Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier was translated into the Czech language.

As co-owners of CaringConcepts, Inc., Connie Kudlacek and I have trademarked the words “Nurture What Remains™” when writing Alzheimer’s disease materials. We have also developed a series of brochures based on the content of our two books. One brochure is titled: “Nurture What Remains Series: The Progression of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Brain:” Another brochure is titled “Nurture What Remains Series: Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease: Caregiving Choices/Styles.”  To find out more about CaringConcepts, Inc., go to www.caringconcepts.org .

I am married to a wonderful man, Bill Flynn, who is a pure-bred Irishman with a wonderful sense of humor. He is my rock and support for the work I do both at Creighton and writing and presenting through CaringConcepts, Inc. We have a wonderful little dog, Amee, from the Humane Soceity. She has us well trained.
Writing these reflections:
 In this fast-moving world it is an honor to participate in writing these Daily Reflections. It helps me become more centered in living my life. I hope the thoughts I share are helpful to those who read Creighton’s “Daily Reflections.”
Other links to me:
e-mail: pcallone@creighton.edu