An interview with Malinda Shultice: No Two Pathways Are The Same
Biography
My name is Malinda Shultice and I’ve worked as an executive director in senior living for ten years and am now a professor at Iowa State University. Having worked in senior living for so long and seeing the toll it takes on leaders; I founded a company called M.S. Healthcare Consulting that helps healthcare leaders navigate the difficult world of healthcare through practical leadership tools.
Please tell me a little about your background.
I never intended to work in senior living; it just happened by accident and ended up being a career that I’ve devoted the majority of my working life to. On the more personal side of my life, I’m very close with both sets of my grandparents (whom I view as a second set of parents). Both of my grandfathers have Parkinson’s, which is what prompted me to get involved with your narrative and advocacy.
Can you tell me more about your Advocacy?
My advocacy comes from a place of both personal and professional origin; having worked in senior living for so long, I watched tremendous, drawn-out suffering from many of my residents that had Parkinson’s. When both of my grandfather’s became affected by the disease, the realities of the disease became even more real as I watched two hardworking men become completely unable to care for themselves.
What is your passion and how did you get involved in Parkinson’s awareness and hope for a cure?
My passion arose when I saw intelligent, driven, emotionally intelligent, and overall strong people in my retirement communities begin to fade from the illness that just slowly began to take who they were to their core. Then to watch it happen with my own grandfathers was a journey I didn’t expect to find myself on. I hope for a cure every day because I only see the increase in cases, and all the while my helplessness grows with each passing day.
What type of goals does individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with you?
The goals of the individuals with Parkinson’s have when working with me are rooted in hope and nostalgia. Because I no longer work in senior living on a daily basis, the majority of my time is spent with my grandfathers, and I find their goals based around just wanting to spend as much time with me as they can.
Through my consulting company, I teach compassionate leadership and much of that is based on teaching leaders how to hear a person’s story within their story. People with Parkinson’s have good and bad days, so on the good days, being the best listeners we can be is important as we talk with them on their journey.
What type of training and how long are the programs?
My trainings are based on the needs of the staff and the families that are wanting to be more compassionate listeners through the disease journey; I offer virtual and in-person trainings to a variety of individuals. My trainings range from 1 hour to 4-6 months, it really depends up on the needs of the person wanting trained.
What effect can your Advocacy have on an individual with Parkinson’s?
My advocacy can help to provide a better care environment for people living with Parkinson’s. Compassionate listening can change the world and makes caregivers and families better equipped as they support the individual living with Parkinson’s.
What would you like to see as a future goal for your Advocacy?
I would like to see compassionate listeners and leaders in every healthcare organization, because this can make living with Parkinson’s a more tolerable situation.
What events do you participate in?
Parkinson’s Association in my local area, regional senior living conferences, etc.
How does this also assist the caregivers?
Compassionate listening is at the core of what caregivers should provide; being able to hear the individual and their true wants and needs at any given moment isn’t always easy. My training provides them with a real artform in helping to provide optimal care to people living with the disease.
How can someone get in touch? What is your website?
They can reach out via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/malinda-shultice-dhs-mpa-lnha-43225052/
Email: Malindashultice@gmail.com
Website: malindashultice.com
How can others also become advocates for awareness?
Getting involved in local organizations that can support the Parkinson’s community, and even just simply going to volunteer at the local retirement community to visit with the residents can change people’s lives.
In your opinion what is the key to effective advocacy?
Staying present even if you aren’t sure that you’re making a difference; people often quit or lose motivation if they don’t see the fruits of their labor, but that is simply not the case when working with Parkinson’s advocacy.
How can we better fundraise to support a cure for Parkinson’s?
Help our community leaders to better understand the individual nature of the disease.
What other activities do you undertake to help improve and support your daily living Eg exercise and alternative remedies?
Regular walking and meditation has been helpful for me, and I try to get my grandfathers to do this as well.
Why should people who don’t have Parkinson’s care about this?
The majority of people have been directly or indirectly impacted in some capacity by Parkinson’s disease; I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t at least know an individual with the disease. The cases are increasing at an alarming rate and we need to spread awareness, because not only do current patients deserve that type of support, but so do future affected individuals.
Have you had any family members or relatives affected by Parkinson’s disease?
Yes, two of my grandfathers who are both still alive.
If you had one song that would tell us more about you or represent your life, which song would it be?
If my life was a melody, it would be one of two songs. The first being Divenire by Ludovico Einaudi and the second song is Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum.
If you had one final statement or quote you could leave for the Parkinson’s community, what would it be?
You are never alone on this journey.
_________________________________________
TogetherForSharon® In memory of my mother, Sharon to voice awareness & hope for a Parkinson’s Disease cure. Sharon’s Son, George
Support https://www.togetherforsharon.com/shop/