About ME
Betsy Kurtz, LCSW-C, CDP, CDMDP
My first exposure to dementia came long before I understood cognitive impairment. Weekly visits with my 99 year old great grandmother in a local assisted living at a very young age exposed me to men and women who peered at and grabbed for me to get a closer look. Most kids might be scared, but I was drawn to these elders. While my mother visited with my Nana, I strolled down the hallways sharing songs, stories and even brushing the hair of other residents. Working with people with dementia is my calling.
After more than six years at the Baltimore VA as the dementia care coordinator of the MD Veterans Health Administration, I discovered that my ability to help others was limited by my ability to see people in their home settings. I could assess, discuss and model best practices but I was not able to see the challenges families were having in action.
Seeing clients in their home environments and supporting care partners in the moment can truly help minimize the behavioral aspects of dementia, decrease caregiver burden, decrease the chance of unnecessary hospitalizations, and allow me to act as a liaison between the geriatrician or chosen specialist.
After nearly 30 years of clinical expertise I founded Eye on Elders to bring the core values of trust, acceptance, authenticity and honesty to Maryland families and care facilities looking for expert guidance and peace of mind while caring for people living with dementia. As a licensed clinical social worker with experience in every genre of healthcare and a Certified Dementia and Montessori Practitioner, I offer communication strategies for individuals with cognitive impairment, behavioral management techniques, and help facilitate family discussions about care options. Beyond the decades of professional experience, I walked beside my mother and two grandparents during their collective journeys through dementia. It is with a deep sense of empathy and patience that I have been able to reach even the most challenging cases of behavioral challenges in people with dementia.