Director Spotlight: John Steele, Education Committee Chair

My Dad passed from Alzheimer's Disease a number of years ago. Mother was then diagnosed with congestive heart disease and I became her caregiver for the next nine years, including three years of hospice service. I served as an active volunteer with my mother's hospice, leading me to accept a position as Community Outreach Director for the next nine years. This period led me to a great understanding of the effects of compassion fatigue on caregivers, both personally and professionally. I now own my own business, Alternative Living Choices, serving as a Senior Living Advisor, assisting older adults in finding Independent, Assisted, and Memory Care Living Communities. As I work with families on a daily basis, I see the stress and fatigue they face as they give care to their loved ones.

It is with great pride that I serve on the Board of Ed-U-CARE, as the education and support we offer both personal and professional caregivers is truly amazing. Our Bridge Building Network increases awareness and educates service providers of LGBTQ older adults in compassionate, culturally competent training, for which I am most proud. This year we are hosting Compassionate Fatigue Symposiums in both Dallas and Fort Worth, and we will be hosting our first Bridge Building Symposium next January, in addition to numerous other training seminars. Ed-U-CARE is truly making a difference in our community, enriching the lives of caregivers and our older adults.