Nancy Nelson & Kat Hartley of dangle & dot
All Home Care Matters and our host, Lance A. Slatton are honored to welcome Nancy Nelson & Kat Hartley as guests to the show.
About Nancy Nelson “dangle” Co-Founder, dangle & dot:
Diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s in 2013, Nancy Nelson transformed fear into creativity and purpose. In the quiet hours following her diagnosis, she began writing words and phrases that seemed to “fall from the sky”—a healing practice that deepened her understanding of both her own and her father’s dementia journeys. Following a second diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment in 2018, Nancy continued to embrace life with courage and grace plus a brain healthy lifestyle. She is the author of three acclaimed poetry collections—Blue. River. Apple.—which chronicles her personal experience with dementia.
An Alzheimer’s advocate and public speaker, Nancy shares her story at education and policy events, participates in dementia research, and leads support groups for individuals in the early stages of the disease. Known for her uplifting honesty and creative voice, Nancy uses poetry and social media to reframe how the world sees dementia—not as an ending, but as a call to live fully, not fearfully.
About Kat Hartley, BS Pharm “dot”, Co-Founder, dangle & dot:
Kat Hartley has spent every decade of her life on the emotional, financial, and spiritual rollercoaster of Alzheimer’s Disease—having lost seven beloved relatives to it. The lessons and loss of her joyous father, who lived with dementia, continue to inspire her mission to help others live well. A pharmacist by training, Kat has dedicated her career to advancing Alzheimer’s research, treatment, and care. She began her professional journey at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, then served with the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
Today, Kat is a brain health consultant, speaker, and author who promotes healthy lifestyle practices, mindfulness meditation, and community connection as pathways to prevent or delay dementia.
Kat finds deep joy and a surprising re-discovery of self-worth as a full-time family care partner for her mother and brother.
About dangle & dot Company Bio:
dangle & dot delight when inspiring people to explore, with curiosity and willingness, the new possibilities one can discover despite the inherent challenges of cognitive changes. The company is novel as it includes a diagnosis-facing co-founder actively involved with operations and business development, with the goal of creating a new template for people living with dementia to own a business.