Foundations for a Fresh Start: A Caregiver’s Guide to a Meaningful New Years
Join Dr. James Rouse, Life Coach, and our Kensington Caregiver Coaches as they guide you through the unexpected moments of grace that carry us through, share practical ways to practice self-love even in the whirlwind of daily life, and help you lay the foundation for a year of meaningful beginnings. You’ll leave inspired to embrace micro-moments of joy, renewal, and self-kindness that can transform your year ahead.
The start of a new year is a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and care for the person who often gives the most—you. Caregiving can bring quiet struggles, self-doubt, and moments when your own needs are set aside. This session is a heartfelt space to honor those experiences and nurture yourself with grace, compassion, and intentionality.
Start your new year not just surviving, but truly thriving—because the care you give yourself matters just as much as the care you give others.
For questions, please email Bianca Sauro, Community Relations Associate, at bsauro@kensingtonsl.com.
- Sub-Headline With Dr. James Rouse and Our Caregiver Coaches
Speakers
-
Melissa LongCertified Dementia PractitionerMelissa is a Certified Recreational Therapist and Certified Dementia Practitioner with over 20 years of experience providing goal-oriented therapy to individuals with multiple diagnoses. She delivers highly individualized services based on each person’s past, present, and future interests and lifestyle, customizing treatment plans that address social, cognitive, physical, and leisure needs. Her approach promotes healthy living to improve function, enhance independence, and encourage meaningful engagement in all aspects of life.
Melissa has presented at numerous conferences, published evidence-based practice programs, and authored professional articles, including “Tips to Consider: The Geriatric Recreation Therapist’s Role in Disaster Preparedness”, emphasizing the vital role recreation therapists play in safeguarding long-term care residents during crises.
Her diverse background includes living in Romania, where she provided sensory integration therapy for orphans, and serving as Social Coordinator for the Cerebral Palsy – International Sports and Recreation Association (CP-ISRA) World Championship. Through both clinical practice and community engagement, Melissa is known for her innovative, out-of-the-box thinking and her dedication to supporting clients and caregivers every day.
-
Dr. James RouseLife CoachDr. James Rouse is a transformational force in the world of high performance, well-being, and leadership. As an international speaker, award-winning author, high-performance coach, and dynamic entrepreneur, he is on a mission to inspire purpose-driven success and empower individuals to create extraordinary vitality, balance, and fulfillment in all areas of life.
-
Tami AnastasiaAlzheimer's and Dementia CounselorTami Anastasia is an Alzheimer’s and dementia counselor and educator, providing one-on-one caregiver support, guidance and strategies to help make the dementia journey easier on the caregiver. In addition to her work as a dementia counselor and consultant, Tami facilitates dementia caregiver support groups and conducts educational workshops and personalized one-on-one educational sessions.
-
Lisa BrickerElder Care ConsultantLisa Bricker is an Elder Care Consultant, Placement Specialist, and Founder of Gently Guided, LLC. She helps families transition forward with compassion. She has served hundreds of families of diverse needs as a Senior Care Consultant and Alzheimer’s and Dementia Placement Specialist. Families feel peace of mind as she takes the burden of “feeling alone” off of their shoulders.
-
Monica MooreUCLA Alzheimer's Disease CenterMonica Moore, MSG is the Community Health Program Manager for the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Research and Care at UCLA and the Co-Director, Training and Education Activities, UCLA-California Alzheimer’s Disease Center. She has worked in the field of aging and Alzheimer’s disease for 20 years focusing on community education and outreach and caregiver support. She holds a master’s degree in Gerontology from California State University Long Beach and a certificate in Gerontology from Sonoma State University.