I am Tawanda Story. I’m a nurse of 18 years. I’m a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator of 7 years, and a life long entrepreneur.
I’ve been in the long term care industry for majority of my career, specializing in Dementia as a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
In the last 5 years, I’ve spent a lot time learning how to not be a caregiver. From 2013 through 2018, I was a full -time caregiver for my father. He was diagnosed with Dementia shortly before having a massive stroke. During those five years, I dedicated my life to ensuring he was happy, well cared for, and at peace. The Dementia combined with the residual stroke symptoms, proved to be a challenging combination. Each year, my father would suffer another stroke, which slowly removed him from me daily.
Some of my greatest challenges have come with rebuilding my life after the five year hiatus of being “offline” as a caregiver. Most may not be aware of the challenges caregivers face. As a caregiver, I struggled mentally, physically, spiritually and financially. With not being to work a full-time job and maintain health benefits, my credit scores plummeted and my debt skyrocketed. I’m so blessed to have returned to the healthcare industry, but I still feel the effects of that time in my life.
I now take the lessons learned on that journey, and I’m educating families on resources and best courses of action. Through my consulting business, Elderly Care Concepts, I am able to help families who are now on this journey with their loved ones.
A few of my most greatest accomplishments would be becoming a nurse and obtaining a Masters degree in Healthcare Administration. I am one of six children, and the only one to complete college and graduate studies. I believe this accomplishment paved the way for my daughter who is now a Registered Nurse and graduate of Jackson State University.
Being able to care for my father for five years at home, was a huge accomplishment for me. Considering the current state of many of our skilled facilities, I never wanted him to have to go into a facility. By the grace of God, he remained at home and received the best care possible.
I’m also very proud of recently being recognized by FIGS Scrubs as a Brand Ambassador. I was contacted to travel to LA to film an incredible photo and video shoot for Nurses Week. In May, that production was shown all over Times Square and the New York Stock Exchange.
My future plans include continuous promotion of the documentary, Life Interrupted. I want to reach the masses and educate our communities on Dementia and how it affects our families. I want to bring the challenges of the caregivers to the forefront. Financial resources are needed in this journey, and caregivers need to know that they are not on this journey alone.
As a country, we have work to do when it comes to our geriatric population and their caregivers. I pledge to do my part by continuing to advocate, educate, and tell my story.
Please follow me on all social media platforms.
FB: Tawanda Story
IG: elderly_ care_ concepts
TikTok: @elderlycareconcepts
Website: www.elderlycareconcepts.com
Phone: 314.669.5389
Email: Tawanda.story@ gmail.com
