🎙️ How Maley Hunt Revolutionized Dementia Care Through Human-Centered Leadership

In this inspiring episode, Maley Hunt, Chief Operating Officer and Residential Services Administrator at LiveWell, shares her remarkable journey from reluctant college intern to transformational leader in dementia care. Starting with a chance conversation in a grocery store, Maley discovered her calling in senior care and now leads over 240 employees in creating dementia-positive communities. Through personal stories of vulnerability, crisis leadership during COVID, and tragic loss, Maley reveals how authentic human connection transforms both patient outcomes and workplace culture. She explains why "memory care" needs a new name and how LiveWell is pioneering innovative approaches including the first FINGER clinic in the United States, showing that dementia doesn't have to be an inevitable decline.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• Network or no work: Building authentic relationships opens unexpected career opportunities

• "Science Plus" approach: Doing recommended protocols plus one extra safety measure during COVID

• Rejecting "memory care" terminology in favor of "cognitive change and dementia support" language

• Dementia-positive philosophy: People with dementia still have strengths and contribute meaningfully

• Resilient Living Center: Comprehensive programs supporting people from diagnosis through progression

• FINGER clinic launch: First US location offering evidence-based interventions to slow cognitive decline

• Modifiable risk factors: Sleep, hearing, nutrition, exercise, and social connection prevent dementia

• Crisis leadership requires showing up authentically even when unprepared

• Vulnerability in leadership builds stronger, more resilient teams

• Values-based hiring using "Good Gardening" principles for human-centered care

  
  

🌟 Maley's Key Mentors:

• Trish (Mom's Friend): Changed her perspective on nursing homes through one summer internship opportunity 

• Patrick: Taught profound lessons about showing up during tragedy and crisis 

• Husband: Provided crucial advice during crisis - "all you can do is show up" 

• LiveWell CEO: Introduced transformational leadership tools including "The Boy, The Mole, The Fox, and The Horse" 

• GW Rowing Coaches: Instilled discipline of daily movement and early morning energy management 

• HR Team at LiveWell: Exemplifies values-based recruitment and authentic human connection

  
  

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about destigmatizing dementia, building vulnerable leadership cultures, and how personal tragedy can become the foundation for transformational care approaches.

🔗 Connect with Maley Hunt:

LinkedIn: Maley Hunt, COO at LiveWell 

LiveWell Website: livewell.org 

Facebook & Instagram: @livewellct 

Email for Dementia Questions: info@livewell.org

📄 Transcript Available: Breaking Dementia Stigma: Maley Hunt's Innovative Approach to Senior Care Leadership

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📄 Special Thanks to Anthony Codispoti & AddBack Benefits Agency: AddBack Benefits Agency - Providing innovative employee benefits solutions that improve employee well-being while optimizing your bottom line Website: addbackbenefits.com

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