Rethinking Alzheimer's Care By Sam Fazio, Ph.D., Dorothy Seman, R.N., M.S., N.H.A., and Jane Stansell, R.N., M.S.N.

Sam Fazio, Ph.D.

Sam Fazio, Ph.D., has a doctorate in Developmental Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. He has worked for the Alzheimer's Association National Headquarters since 1994 in a variety of areas including Education and Training and Program Services. He currently works as Director of Medical and Scientific Relations where he oversees the international research conferences, scientific journal, and social/behavioral research initiatives. Sam also is involved in several research projects with older adults in the Chicagoland area related to the persistence of self, person-centered care, and health and wellness.

Prior to working for the Association, Sam worked for Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center at the Alzheimer's Family Care Center-an adult day center specifically designed for people with dementia. Sam has worked in the field of aging since 1987 and has a broad range of experience including leadership and management, working with older adults and families, and direct care. He has presented both nationally and internationally, as well as published several journal articles and book chapters. Sam is also the coauthor of the book The Enduring Self in People with Alzheimer's.

Dorothy Seman, R.N., M.S., N.H.A.

Dorothy Seman, R.N., M.S., N.H.A., has been active in the health care field for more than 30 years. Her practice has allowed her to work with people with dementia and caregivers in many roles such as administrator, educator, consultant, and clinician, and in diverse settings such as hospitals, residential programs, in-house hospice, and adult day services. Ms. Seman has been Clinical Coordinator of the Alzheimer’s Family Care Center, an award-winning dementia-specific adult day center in Chicago, since 1989. She works for the center through the VA Chicago Health Care System. Seman also is adjunct clinical faculty in the Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing at the University of Illinois. Ms. Seman holds degrees from Northwestern University and the University of Illinois. She has delivered presentations internationally.

Jane Stansell, R.N., M.S.N.

Jane Stansell, R.N., M.S.N., is the Director of the Alzheimer’s Family Care Center in Chicago. Ms. Stansell has been a strong advocate for change in the way that care is provided to people with Alzheimer’s disease. Her nursing, administrative, and direct care experiences have convinced her that care for people with dementia must support them both emotionally and functionally throughout the illness. Stansell works with other adult day service providers in Illinois at the Illinois Department on Aging to provide consistent educational opportunities for care providers and to develop legislation and administrative rules that meet the needs of people with dementia and their caregivers. She also works with the National Adult Day Services Association to create appropriate outcomes of care for people with dementia and to provide educational opportunities for adult day service providers.