Ron St. John, CDP, QDCP

On an August day in 2002 Ron brought his Mother, after being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, from Indiana to live with him and his wife in Florida. His life dramatically changed forever once they walked through their front door at their Orlando home. He was previously an Information Technologies Manager and had no idea how to be a Caregiver for someone with Alzheimer’s, especially being his own Mother. Ron realized being a 24/7 Caregiver was a bigger challenge then he originally thought. He was determined to educate himself as much as possible about Alzheimer’s and hopefully it would make his Mother’s life easier going through this terrible disease. Ron started working at Easter Seals Adult Day Care (where his Mother attended) as a Program Assistant. He later became involved with the Alzheimer Resource Center as a volunteer, then a member of the Board of Directors. Ron was then hired by the Alzheimer Resource Center and became a Family Services Consultant helping other Caregivers. Ron then had the opportunity to be a Memory Care Director for a thirty–eight bed Memory Care Community. He currently is working with Visiting Angels senior homecare as their Alzheimer's / Dementia Care Director. Ron said "Visiting Angels was a perfect fit for me, because they work with their heart and have a personal relationship with every client". He attended classes at the University of Central Florida’s College of Health and became a Certified Case Manager and continued his education to become a Certified Dementia Practitioner, a Qualified Dementia Care Provider, and a State of Florida approved Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorder’s instructor. Ron is a member of the Dementia Care Professionals of America, National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners, and the National Family Caregivers Association. Ron has received the Pat Jimison Community Ambassador Award and the Jacqueline Onassis Jefferson Award for Public Service. His passion in life for the person with Alzheimer’s and their Caregivers’ continues even after his Mother’s passing in 2006.