ACAP Dallas-Collin Counties

As we get ready for this week's ACAP Dallas-Collin Counties seminar, we're grateful for the support of our community and our June Program Sponsor, My Office, for helping make these educational programs possible.

This month's presentation will focus on one of the most important conversations families can have: advance planning and the legal and financial documents that help protect your wishes and support your loved ones when they need to step in.

If you haven't registered yet, there's still time! We hope you'll join us Thursday for this free and informative event. RSVP today and bring a friend who may benefit from the discussion.

📄 Do you have the right legal documents in place to protect your parents—and yourself?

Planning ahead can feel overwhelming, but having the right paperwork in order makes all the difference when it comes to care, decision-making, and peace of mind.

Join us for Advance Planning: Your Parent’s Legal and Financial Documents and learn what you need to know about essential legal protections for aging adults.

You’ll learn about:
✔️ Wills and estate planning basics
✔️ Powers of attorney
✔️ Living wills and advance directives
✔️ HIPAA releases
✔️ Other key legal and care planning documents

Presented by Namrita Notani, JD, DMD and Mark Simowitz, Esq.
📅 June 11 | 6:00 PM – 7:15 PM
📝 Only 2 days left to RSVP! https://acapcommunity.org/event/advance-planning-your-parents-legal-and-financial-documents-8/

Because planning today can prevent confusion and stress tomorrow.

None of us like to think about difficult life transitions, but having the right conversations and documents in place can make all the difference when a health crisis or unexpected event occurs.

Too often, families are left trying to make important decisions without knowing their loved one's wishes or having the legal authority to help.

Join us for our June ACAP seminar as we discuss the key legal and financial documents every family should understand before they're needed. A little planning today can save a lot of stress tomorrow.

We hope you'll join us for this important conversation. RSVP Now!

Meet Mary Beth Schuerger, part of the Marketing Team for the Dallas/Collin County ACAP Chapter.

Mary Beth is excited to help create a supportive community where families can find trusted information, valuable resources, and encouragement as they navigate the challenges that come with caring for aging loved ones.

This mission is deeply personal to her. As an adult child of aging parents herself, she understands the emotions, questions, and uncertainties that often accompany this stage of life. She feels called to connect people with the resources they need and is passionate about helping build a community where no one has to face these challenges alone.

In her professional role, Mary Beth connects individuals and families with quality medical home health services while helping them navigate the healthcare system and advocate for the care they need. Many of the people she serves could benefit from the education, support, and connections available through ACAP.

One challenge she encounters often is that caregivers simply don't know what resources exist or how to access them. This chapter was created to help bridge that gap by providing knowledge, community, and support during one of life's most challenging seasons.

As part of the Marketing Team, Mary Beth is helping spread awareness of the resources, education, and community available through ACAP so more families can find the support they need.

Outside of work, Mary Beth's family and friends are her greatest source of strength and inspiration. Their support fuels her desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others. When she's not serving her community, you'll likely find her gardening, cooking, baking, traveling, or learning something new.

Most people never expect to become caregivers for their parents… until suddenly they are.

The reality is that nearly 70% of adults over age 65 will need some form of long-term care in their lifetime. And many families find themselves making important decisions during a crisis instead of preparing ahead of time.

That’s why ACAP exists. Our mission is to equip caregivers with education, resources, and support so they can better help their loved ones — while also helping themselves navigate the journey with more confidence and less overwhelm.

Our June seminar tackles one of the most important topics families often avoid until it’s urgent: advance legal and financial planning. Hope you’ll join us.

Meet Luisa Gee, who supports the Technology Team for the Dallas/Collin County ACAP Chapter.

Luisa is excited about the opportunity to be part of something that will truly help people—especially families who may feel like they’re navigating caregiving on their own.

Her passion is rooted in personal experience. She remembers when her own grandparents reached a point where they needed continuous care. Even with a large, supportive family, it was still a stressful and overwhelming time—something she knows many families face, often with far fewer resources.

That perspective drives her desire to be part of a community that offers support, guidance, and reassurance to those who need it most.

Through her work with Moments Music Therapy, Luisa serves individuals in hospice, memory care, and assisted living settings. Her sessions focus on meaningful goals like reducing pain perception, encouraging relaxation, and helping maintain independence through movement and connection.

One of the biggest challenges she sees? Families trying to decide what’s best for their loved one—whether that’s staying at home with support or transitioning to a care facility. Those decisions aren’t easy, and having the right guidance can make all the difference.

Outside of her work, Luisa is grounded by her faith, her family, and her friends—sources of strength that keep her centered and remind her where to turn when she needs support herself.

Our May seminar is coming up quickly, and this is one you don’t want to miss.

We’re featuring Dementia Friendly Dallas and their powerful Dementia Friends session—an international initiative focused on reducing the stigma and isolation surrounding dementia through education and real, practical support.

In this session, you’ll learn how to recognize early signs, communicate more effectively, and better support those living with dementia—whether that’s a client, a parent, or someone in your community.

🗓️ Thursday, May 14
⏰ 6:00 PM
📍 Lake Highlands North Recreation Center
9940 White Rock Trail, Dallas, TX

👉 Register here: https://acapcommunity.org/find-a-chapter/acap-dallas-collin-counties/

If you’ve ever felt unsure how to help someone experiencing memory loss…this is your chance to change that.

Find out more information about them at https://dfdallas.org/

Home - Dementia Dallas Join us in helping individuals with dementia live, engage, and thrive! What is DementiaFriendly Dallas? Dementia Friendly Dallas was formed by a group of individuals, businesses, and organizations, each with the desire to create a community that is informed, safe and respectful of individuals with d...

Meet Joanne Kahl, part of the Marketing and Sponsorship Team for the Dallas/Collin County ACAP Chapter.

Joanne is excited to help bring a focused resource to the DFW community; one that supports those caring for aging loved ones with real information, guidance, and connection.

Her passion for this work is deeply personal.

Joanne cared for her mother throughout her dementia and Alzheimer’s journey, doing the best she could without truly knowing what to expect or where to turn. That experience led her to start her own in-home care business, both to honor her mother and her caregivers, and to support other families walking a similar path.

Looking back, she often says… she wishes she had ACAP.

Today, through her work with Caring Transitions of North Dallas Suburbs, Joanne serves older adults who are ready to downsize and transition into a safer living environment. She helps guide them through every step from packing, moving, and selling their home, with compassion and care.

She’s also deeply aware of the emotional impact these transitions can have, including relocation stress, and is committed to helping families navigate those changes with understanding and the right support.

Joanne believes one of the biggest challenges families face is simply knowing what resources are available, and who they can trust. That’s exactly what this chapter is here to provide.

At the core of everything she does is a strong sense of gratitude...for the journey, the lessons, and the opportunity to help others.