Through her own experience of caring for family elders, Elaine developed a passion for helping others find hope and humor in aging, illness, and long-term caregiving. Her key- notes and workshops for caregivers are based on real life experiences and totally original stories from her book, Letters from Madelyn, Chronicles of a Caregiver. Elaine grew up on a dairy farm, and prior to focusing on her writing and speaking career, she spent twenty years in the television advertising business. She helps caregivers understand the importance of caring for themselves through the use of stories that touch their hearts and tickle their funny bones. Elaine is a professional member of the National Speakers Association. She lives in Salem, Oregon with her husband Alex, a professor at Oregon State University. Together they have eight children and eight grandchildren.