Curriculum Vitae

I have over 30 years experience volunteering and working with aging adults, and have worked as a caregiver for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and other neurological disorders both in the US and in Denmark. I have a passion for working with older adults and for working in all things dementia. I like learning new things and can get quite involved in any new “project” that I take up as my cause.

I earned a double BA with honors in Psychology and Human Services from Dakota Wesleyan University in 2003, and MSc in Applied Gerontology from the University of North Texas in 2004. In 2014, I completed my PhD fellowship in Electronic Systems at Aalborg University, where I focused on Quality of Life issues for the elderly and their caregivers in regards to Assistive Technology (gerontechnology) in dementia care.

You are welcome to check out my LinkedIn profile and connect with me there.

I also have an Academia.edu profile and a ResearchGate profile, where you can view most of my publications.

I am located in the wonderful city of Copenhagen, Denmark. I work in both English and Danish.

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Employment History (highlights)

Correspondent (Europe, volunteer)     May, 2016 – present

Global Health Aging

  • Contribute articles on aging issues with a global and European perspective.

Consultant in eHealth & Innovation     September, 2015 – present 

World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Division of Information, Evidence, Research, and Innovation

Copenhagen, Denmark

Trainer (volunteer)     June, 2015 – August, 2015

Community Care Smart Assistive Technology Collaborative

Sydney, Australia

Global Burden of Disease collaborator (volunteer)     September, 2013 – present

Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation

  • Consultant on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2013.
  • Review data on cause of death, cost of disease, burden of disease, and identify and assess data sources.
  • Highlight:  Co-author of multiple GBD articles for The Lancet.

Project development     May, 2015 – June, 2015

Copenhagen Living Lab (now dissolved)

Copenhagen, Denmark

    • Developing a project to bring personalized music to nursing homes in Denmark, based on the American Music & Memory model.
    • Contact with nursing homes, public health services administration, end users and their families.
    • Training on the Music & Memory program.
    • Read more about my work with Music & Memory here!

Proposal writing     April, 2015 – May, 2015

Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology at Aalborg University

Copenhagen, Denmark

    • Project management and grant proposal writing on a project using technology for prevention, early detection, and management of diabetes type 2 in aging adults.

Research Intern     June, 2014 – August, 2014

Collaboration between the Department of Aging and Handicap Services at Aalborg Municipality, Research Center for Dementia, and the Center for Welfare Technology

Aalborg, Denmark

  • Participatory observation of services offered for persons with young-onset dementia in 3 locations.
  • Evaluation of observed services in each location and proposals for continued improvement.
  • Evaluation of welfare technologies currently offered for dementia care in the Municipality and suggestions for updating a catalog of available and offered technologies.
  • Read more about my work with young-onset dementia here!

Head of Research     April, 2014 – November, 2014

I was the Head of Research and Co-founding member of a startup focusing on welfare technologies for aging adults and people with cognitive handicaps. Consulting with businesses to improve their interactive design and recommending appropriate technologies to end users and customers.

SeniorWise

Dresden, Germany

  • Development of business plan, financial model, go-to-market strategy, etc.
  • Development of a user meta-model for the design requirements of aging adults.
  • Consulting on design and usability and made detailed recommendations for improvement for a Scottish charity offering reminiscence services in dementia care.
  • Consulting on design and usability for a German company marketing a tablet for older adults.
  • Read more about my experiences with entrepreneurship in dementia here!

Independent Consultant     March, 2014 – April, 2014

Mobiles Dynamics/CAREGIVERSPRO

Barcelona, Spain

Consulting on usability, functionality, and design for a company offering an innovative app for dementia caregivers to coordinate, manage, and track their care activities.

  • Assisted in writing project proposal for an EU-AAL project.
  • Reviewed current functions and usability and made improvement suggestions.
  • Provided research on justification of design and functions.

PhD Fellow and Research Assistant     May, 2009 – February, 2014

Department of Electronic Systems at Aalborg University

Aalborg, Denmark

  • Member of multidisciplinary teams and contributor to project proposals.
  • Teaching and supervising at the Master’s level.
  • Main contributor in European FP7 telehomecare project ISISEMD, and contributor in European ICT for active aging project LIFE 2.0.
  • Management of work packages for European Commission review.
  • Publication and public dissemination experience.
  • Volunteer reviewer for conferences and journals.
  • Member of professional societies and chair of local branches.
  • Study abroad
    • Initial research staff at the Center for TeleInFrastruktur (CTIF)-USA in collaboration with Princeton University’s Engineering School and NIKSUN (April-August, 2011).

Intern     January, 2013 – April, 2013

World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Division of Healthy Ageing, Disability and Long-term Care

Copenhagen, Denmark

  • Proposed glossary of eHealth terms.
  • Incorporating eHealth into the Global Age-friendly Cities Network.
  • Proposed thematic area of ICT for the new guide on age-friendly environments.
  • Communicated with WHO Collaboration Centers on eHealth and Telemedicine.
  • Recipient of the Herman Bouma Foundation for Gerontechnology Grant.
  • Read my internship report here!
  • Read more about my work with WHO here!

Personal Assistant     June, 2006 – August, 2008

Department of Aging and Handicap Services at Aalborg Municipality

Aalborg, Denmark

  • Provided in-home care to an individual with cerebral palsy.
  • Managed a broad range of activities, such as doctor appointments, outdoor events, concerts, international travel and social outings.
  • Personal management of Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.
  • Comfortable and familiar with using a wheelchair in nearly every situation and environment.

Personal Assistant     December, 2004 – June, 2005

Dallas, Texas USA

  • Provided in-home care to an individual with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease and managed the daily schedule.
  • Supervised and assisted with Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living.
  • Arranged socially stimulating activities.
  • Monitored dietary needs and physical functioning.
  • Supported family members through respite care and professional evaluations.

Manager of Start-up Long-Term Care Facility     August – December, 2004

Arlington, Texas USA

  • Participated in starting a new business.
  • Created work schedules and supervised a staff of 3 caregivers.
  • Provided direct care to a patient with senile dementia.
  • Managed the maintenance and operation of the facility.
  • Served as the in-house aging specialist and communicated with external health care professionals.

Assistant to the Director     August – December, 2004

Alzheimer’s Association Research-based Adult Day Center

Dallas, Texas USA

  • Assisted the director of the day center in administrative tasks.
  • Engaged participants with activities.
  • Stimulated spatial, memory and object recognition functioning.
  • Encouraged socialization among the participants.
  • Maintained contact with the families.
  • Attended scientific research lectures through the Alzheimer’s Association.
  • Created and conducted a wide range of activities, such as music, exercise, creativity and fantasy, current events and hand-eye coordination.

Hospice Internship     May – August, 2004

American Hospice, Inc.

DeSoto, Texas USA

  • Completed over 500 hours of volunteer work.
  • Worked with each branch of interdisciplinary care (social, psychological, medical and spiritual) to gain a holistic perspective of end of life care.
  • Increased the organization and productivity of the volunteer program, organized and audited volunteer files.
  • Increased the number of active volunteers, and supervised and trained the volunteers.
  • Reinforced contact, services and support with patients and families through bereavement services, volunteer visits and respite care.
  • Participated in weekly interdisciplinary team meetings to manage and evaluate patient care.
  • Promoted community education through speaking engagements.

Research Experience

Aalborg University

  • Member of a consortium that designed, implemented, and evaluated technologies to increase independent living and Quality of Life for people with dementia and their caregivers.
    • European-Commission funded FP7 project ISISEMD was implemented and evaluated in 4 European countries (Denmark, Finland, North Ireland and Greece).
    • Helped to design and evaluate the Clinical Trial.
    • Co-authored Ethical Application.
  • Member of a consortium that designed, implemented, and evaluated technologies to increase socialization and location-based services for active aging.
    • European-Commission funded FP7 project LIFE 2.0 ran in 3 European countries (Denmark, Finland and Spain).
  • Disseminated research through conference presentations, publications and public education.

University of North Texas

  • Project proposal and evaluation design on how older adults cope with the loss of a companion animal.

Dakota Wesleyan University

  • Designed and carried out small-scale study on health outcomes with Animal-Assisted Activities in Long-Term care.
  • Designed and carried out research on brain hemisphere dominance, handedness and academic major selection in university students.
  • Presented research at the Midwestern Psychological Association.
  • Presented research at the University Scholar Banquet Program.
  • Presented research at the Siouxland Regional Conference for Undergraduate Research in Social Sciences in 2002 and 2003.

Education

Aalborg University in Aalborg, Denmark

PhD in Electronic Systems 2009-2013

  • Thesis topic: Using Gerontechnology in Dementia Care and the Effect on the Quality of Life in Older Adults and their Caregivers.
  • Student Branch Chair of IEEE (professional society in Electrical Engineering).

University of North Texas in Denton, Texas USA

MSc in Applied Gerontology 2003-2004

  • Emphasis in psychology and counseling.
  • Certificate in Animal-Assisted Therapy.
  • Certificate in Mediation and Aging.
  • Active member of Sigma Phi Omega, the honor society in gerontology.
  • Read more about gerontology here!

Dakota Wesleyan University in Mitchell, South Dakota USA

BA in Psychology 2000-2003

BA in Human Services 2000-2003

  • Minor in philosophy and religion.
  • Active member of Alpha Psi Omega, the honor society in theater.
  • Student Branch President of Psi Chi, the honor society in psychology.

Relevant non-degree courses

University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Business School:  “Innovating Solutions for Aging Populations” Read my review here!

The University of Melbourne:  “Re-thinking ageing:  Are we prepared to live longer?” Read my review here!

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill:  “Positive Psychology”

University of California, Irvine:  “Essentials of Entrepreneurship:  Thinking and Action”

University of Copenhagen:  “Introduction to Global Health”

Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing:  “The Impact of Dementia on Individuals, Families, Communities, and Societies” (Verified Certificate) Read my review here!

University of Chicago, Department of Neurobiology:  “Understanding the Brain:  The Neurobiology of Everyday Life”

University of California San Francisco, School of Medicine:  “Clinical Problem Solving”

SundhedsCenter Tårnby (Public Health Center in Copenhagen, Denmark):

  • “Sund Aldring” (Healthy Aging) Read my review here!
  • “Er vi danskere verdens lykkeligste folk?” (Are we Danes the world’s happiest people?) Read my review here!
  • “Kan de varme hænder erstattes af plastic og teknologi?” (Can warm hands be replaced by plastic and technology?)

University of Queensland, School of Psychology:  “Think101:  The Science of Everyday Thinking”

Teaching Portfolio

May, 2016:  Special lecture on happiness and eMental Health to Psychology students from St. Scholastica University. (read one student’s short post on the trip to UN City here)

August, 2015:  Provided online training and educational video on using technologies in dementia care.

Sept. 2011 – Jan. 2012:  Supervision of Master’s project on ICT Platform for Interoperable Medical Personal Health Records for Diabetes Management.

Sept. 2010/2011:  Main lecturer in Privacy, Ethical, and Legal Issues in Engineering.

May 2011:  Community education on gerontechnology through speaking at long-term care facility.

Feb. – June 2011:  Supervision of Master’s project on ICT for Aging Well at Work, Home and in the Community.

Sept. – Dec.2010:  Supervision of Master’s project on Social Networking for an Aging World.

Sept. – Dec.2010:  Supervision of Master’s project on Electronic Quality of Life Assessment.

Sept. – Dec.2010:  Main lecturer in Telemedicine Techniques and Aspects.

May – Aug. 2004:  Community education on hospice through speaking engagements at educational institutions.

Professional Society Membership

  • Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
    • IEEE Women in Engineering
    • IEEE Communications Society
    • IEEE Society on Social Implications of Technology
    • EEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society
    • Chair of the IEEE Student Branch at Aalborg University 2012-2013
  • Society of Women Engineers
  • American Telemedicine Association
  • American Society for Quality
  • Gerontological Society of America
  • International Society for Gerontechnology
  • National Association for Professional Engineers
  • Assistive Technology Professionals
  • Danish Society of Engineers, Ingeniørforeningen IDA
  • Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies
  • Dansk Gerontologisk Selskab
  • Alzheimerforeningen
Advertisement

Does your workplace allow for caregiving?

A fitting article from Crisis Prevention, where they focus on training and consulting in behavior management and dementia care: Workplace Flexibility | CPI. This article is about a (thankfully) growing trend in workplaces allowing more flexibility for people who are caring for family members.

Why is this important?

According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), caregivers not only contribute from their own personal expenses for care, but caregiving also affects the economy through the paid workforce (L. Feinberg, SC Reinhard, A Hourser, and R Choula, “Valuing the Invaluable:  2011 Update. The growing contributions and costs of family caregiving,” Washington, DC, AARP Public Policy Institute 2011):

  • 58% of caregivers are currently employed either full-time or part-time, balancing work with their caregiving role
  • 69% of caregivers report making work accommodations because of caregiving, including arriving late/leaving early, taking time off, cutting back on work hours, changing jobs, or stopping work entirely
  • Caregivers who live with their loved one are most likely to adjust their paid employment or leave the workforce
  • Not only may they lose foregone earnings and Social Security benefits, but they also can lose job security and career mobility, and employment benefits such as health insurance and retirement savings

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