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Kari Berit, author of The Unexpected Caregiver: How Boomers Can Keep Mom & Dad Active, Safe and Independent (2007: Attainment Company, Verona, WI), works tirelessly to debunk the negative stereotypes of aging, support caregivers of aging parents, and change how senior living communities view activity programs.
With her life partner Eric Ramlo, she launched Age In Motion™ in 1996, including developing a visionary activity program for Marriott Senior Living called "The Life Enrichment Philosophy in Action." Since 2002, her Active Seniors columns in Creative Forecasting magazine have provided action-oriented ideas for professionals dealing with today's aging seniors.
Her Mental Fitness Instructor's Guide, along with two supporting videos published by Attainment Company in 2005, established her as a leading proponent of the idea of taking an age-assertive™ approach to the issues of active aging. She continues to develop that theme regularly in both her speaking and writing activities.
Increasingly, her work for organizations as diverse as the American Society on Aging, Johnson & Johnson, Kaiser Permanente, and Wells Fargo has focused on Baby Boomers struggling to come to terms with the needs of their aging parents. Through keynotes and workshops, she annually addresses thousands of adults and healthcare professionals on a wide range of issues, including those specific to "unexpected caregivers."
An inspiring presenter, Kari Berit has the unique ability to reach individuals with a timely and much-needed message: Life, at any age, is about living fully engaged. Today, under the twin banners of Age In Motion™ and Act Your Smarts™, she uses her expertise to help Boomers discover the skills and the commitment needed to become better caregivers to their parents - and better adults themselves.
Kari Berit has a BA in Psychology and Norwegian from St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, a Master's Degree in Continuing and Vocational Education from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and nearly 20 years of experience designing and teaching programs for older adults.
In addition to her personal experience as a primary caregiver to her mother and a grandfather, both deceased, she has worked as a resident manager and housing director, an activity director, and a dementia care specialist for numerous senior housing communities. She also is a dedicated coach, providing much-needed emotional support to countless adult children who, however unexpectedly, must take on the role of caregiver to their aging parents.
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