“Dementia is a journey, not a destination.” Learn how to pack for the trip! In this innovative and upbeat approach, Susan uses travel as a metaphor to help people embrace changes in speech and behavior that often accompany memory loss. Drawing from her clinical experience and twenty years as a caregiver, she shares real-life stories to illustrate specific characteristics and methods for improving communication at each step along the way. Participants will gain a better understanding of behavior as communication, the four elements present in all forms of dementia, how to cope with non-compliance, and the three things that matter most for quality of life. This program is designed to help family and friends fully engage, minimize stress, and enjoy their time together.

Susan Wranik is a national speaker, author, linguist, and medical professional passionate about communication and quality of life. She began her career as a translator/interpreter for the Italian Ministry of Defense and later transitioned to clinical work as a speech-language pathologist. Career highlights include a TEDx talk on "The Power of Words," clinical treatment in more than six languages, and facilitation of communication support groups for Parkinson’s Disease and aphasia. She has served as a speech consultant for communities of intellectually and developmentally differently-abled adults. Susan’s publications and recordings include "Don't Forget to Say Thank You: 20 Thoughts to Guide You Personally and Professionally Through Life," "The Confidence Quotient," and "Susan on Swallowing." She holds degrees from Georgetown University, The George Washington University, and L’Università Italiana per Stranieri, with additional studies in Arabic, Farsi, and neuroscience at Harvard and Johns Hopkins. Susan has appeared on ABC, CBS, and public radio, with clients including the Smithsonian and National Geographic.