“Old Nerd in the Gym Fitness Caregiver Wellness”

Gery L. Deer is an award-winning copywriter and journalist and managing partner of GLD Enterprises Communications, Ltd., a public relations and media firm based in Jamestown, Ohio now celebrating 25 years in business. He’s had a diverse career as a freelance journalist, editor, creative director, and copywriter, including a 2010 nomination for a Pulitzer Prize in Journalism. 

In 2009 Gery became a full-time caregiver for his mother, Lois, as she declined from the effects of Alzheimer’s disease. During that time, although he had some help with his mom from a close cousin, his health and finances took a severe hit. But, he managed to recover to some extent and regrouped.  A few short years later, he was charged with caring for his father as he began a rapid decline due to the ravages of Parkinson’s disease. This time, he was alone, but he was better prepared – or so he thought. His father, Gary, Sr., passed away in July of 2020, but for nearly four years, Gery included him in activities that helped both maintain better physical health.

Gery’s presentation, “Caregiving and the Old Nerd,” is based on the challenges faced by the nearly 43 million Americans who are “informal” (unpaid) family Caregivers. From poverty to poor health, Caregivers are saving the government and private industry billions while struggling to make ends meet because they chose to do what was best for their charges.

Gery will also discuss the Old Nerd in the Gym Fitness Podcast and Blog, both free media productions of his company, and ways that you can directly improve the lives of Caregivers you may know.