Date of Award
Spring 5-3-2021
Degree Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Arts in Professional Writing (MAPW)
Department
English
Committee Chair/First Advisor
Dr. Lara Smith-Sitton
Co-Chair
Dr. Laura McGrath
Abstract
Six years ago, my mother passed away while my brother and I were still attempting to obtain extra benefits she was qualified for but not receiving from The Veterans Administration. I had spent the equivalent of a full-time job in searching the Internet for assistance with these benefits, long-term care facilities, in-home assistance, and hearing aids and cataract surgery. In this capstone, I will be detailing the website and blog I have begun to build to give senior citizens, their families, and caregivers access to professionals in such topics as insurance, real estate, and legal issues. I will also be providing links to government agencies like Social Security and The Veterans Administration, as well as information on scams and mental health issues. This capstone will be the culmination of six years of dreaming and planning and will be a legacy to my mother who keeps inspiring me even this long after her death. While I hope this website reaches millions of views, if one person is helped by the information I provide, I feel this project is a huge success.