Alzheimer's Disease Dementia Caregiver Wiser Now

Kathy Laurenhue, CEO of Wiser Now, Inc., is a writer/trainer/
curriculum developer known for three primary qualities.

1) Her materials are first and foremost, highly practical. You will find idea after idea that you can put to instant use.

2) She is curious about wide-ranging subjects and strongly influenced by Malcolm Gladwell who is able to make connections where others see disjoint. Her curiosity is a trait inherited from her father, which also explains her love of trivia, as evidenced in her brain fitness materials.

3) From her ever-cheerful mother, Kathy inherited her belief in making light of all possible situations. (You can always cry later.) If you can find the funny side of anything, you have had to expand your view from hopeless tunnel vision, and chances are, you will be able to come up with alternative plans.

Kathy has a master's degree in instructional technology (developing multi-media training) and an undergraduate degree in English, but her skills related to aging well began to be honed during the decade that she was a hands-on caregiver for her parents. (Her mother died of Alzheimer’s disease; her father of multiple illnesses.) She has also been strongly influenced by an amazing group of individuals spanning several continents, some of whom you will find listed in the Resources/Links section of this website.

Our history and values

Wiser Now, Inc. is an outgrowth of Kathy Laurenhue’s earlier company, Better Directions, Inc. which was incorporated in 1991. Better Directions was best known for its monthly, international, award-winning newsletter for Alzheimer’s caregivers, Wiser Now. Therefore, when Kathy reformulated her company after spending several years in the corporate world, she decided to use the “Wiser Now” name for all her endeavors.

Why not go out on a limb?
That's where the fruit is. -- Will Rogers

Kathy’s mantra for world peace (and promoting positive human interaction in all situations) is:

Laughter builds rapport.
Rapport builds trust.
Trust builds relationships.

Once we have a pleasant experience with one another, our individual prejudices are harder to maintain. Here are some of the other principles Wiser Now lives by:

Every human being has value.
Laughter is the best medicine.
Our stories connect us.

A percentage of company profits are given to the Nature Conservancy, CARE and charitable causes for children so that future generations might live in a better world.

Why an apple image?

Because:

Apples symbolize teachers and learning
Apples are fruit and we want to help your ideas to bear fruit, your ideals to come to fruition and your personal growth to be lifelong
Apples are well-rounded – a worthwhile goal
Apples are juicy – so is knowledge
Apples, for those who associate them with Eve, are a symbol of curiosity and we think that’s a quality worth nurturing
And finally: I don’t want you to sit under the apple tree with anyone else but me