Dr. Marion
Elder Care Made Easier
During the past three decades, Marion Somers, PhD, aka "Dr. Marion," provided care for more than 2,000 elderly clients while she owned and operated a thriving geriatric care management practice. It is now Dr. Marion's goal to help caregivers everywhere by providing valuable insights and information in her book, Elder Care Made Easier: Doctor Marion’s 10 Steps to Help You Care for an Aging Loved One, and on her Web sites, DrMarion.com and DrMarion.org.
While others might avoid elder care issues at every turn, Dr. Marion has made caring for the elderly her life's work. She loves her work and it shows. Dr. Marion doesn't focus on the grey hair or wrinkles of the elderly. Instead, she's inspired by the beauty of their life experience. "If an individual has lived to be 90 years old, he must have some real skills and smarts to get his needs met in life. It's vital we tap into the wisdom, strength, and life strategies of the elderly before they pass on."
Dr. Marion knows that caregivers feel scared, angry, guilty, frustrated, overworked, and underappreciated, but she is here to hold their hand through these demanding times. She passes on her knowledge and practical advice in a way that all caregivers can understand. "There are many common issues that caregivers face when dealing with the elderly. The language or the culture may be different, the values or the color of skin may be different, but many issues are universal, and it's my goal to make a positive impact," says Dr. Marion.
Recent awards
Dr. Marion is an award-winning, nationally recognized geriatric care manager. She was just honored with the 2009 Lehman College Alumni Achievement Award for her dedication and work in the field of elder care.
Her self-syndicated article series, "Ask Dr. Marion," was also just chosen for a 2009 National Mature Media Merit Award by the Mature Market Resource Center.
Educational/professional background
Dr. Marion graduated with a BA with honors from City College in New York; an MS in recreation therapy from Lehman College (CUNY) in New York; and a PhD in human and organizational development with specialization in gerontology, retirement, and special populations from the Fielding Graduate University in Santa Barbara, California. She is trained as a New York State nursing home administrator. Dr. Marion created the professional geriatric care management certificate program at Hunter College's Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging & Longevity and was its director. She selected 25 new students each year and then taught them in a variety of disciplines. The program graduated 120 students in five years.
Dr. Marion is also an accomplished lecturer who has presented the following seminars: Care of an Aging Parent; Caring for the Caretaker; Counseling Skills; Dying, Death, and Bereavement; Geriatrics; Retirement Planning; and Stress Management for the Elderly. She's a member of the American College of Health Care Administrators, the American Society on Aging, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association, the Gerontological Society of America, the National Alzheimer's Association, the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, the National Council on Aging, and the National Institute of Adult Day Care, among others.
In the public eye
Dr. Marion is a featured columnist for RetirementHomes.com, and she enjoys an extensive partnership with AGIS.com, a leading elder care information portal. She has appeared on The TODAY Show, ABC News Now, Good Morning America Now, The NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams, National Public Radio, Walgreens' Health Corner, Retirement Living TV, and dozens of local morning news shows. Her public service announcement "Dr. Marion Minute" elder care program currently airs on more than 300 radio outlets coast-to-coast. She has been quoted on elder care issues by AARP, the Associated Press, the New York Times, USA Today, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Newsweek, Parade, Prevention, Woman's World, the Baltimore Sun, Newsday, CNN.com, MSN.com, and Bankrate.com, among many others.
