Lives of Consequence
Derrick McDaniel '90
Author, Educator, Eldercare Expert
For more than two decades, Derrick Y. McDaniel ’90 has been developing innovative strategies and resources for both individuals and companies grappling with the staffing, financial, legal, professional and emotional challenges of caring for older loved ones.
After earning a B.A. from Hobart, and then his law degree and M.B.A. simultaneously from Boston University, McDaniel held senior management roles at American Express, MasterCard and JP Morgan Chase, and taught business as an adjunct professor at New York University. It was during this time that he was thrust into the eldercare industry as a caregiver, when his mother’s unexpected passing left him to look after his grandmother.
“My grandmother and I were always incredibly close, and became even closer once I became her caregiver. Out of the tragedy of my mom’s untimely death came a blessing,” McDaniel says. “I found my true calling.”
As his grandmother’s caregiver, McDaniel recalls, he “started studying the industry to ensure she got the best care. I’ve always been a passionate advocate for vulnerable populations, and with my business background I realized there were opportunities in the market to do it better. Now I advocate for the elderly, while creating best-in-class content to benefit older people, the people who care for them, and the companies who employ the caregivers.”
Now known as Mr. Eldercare 101™, McDaniel is a recognized expert whose focus in the industry has evolved from elder homecare to a broader scope that spans education, advocacy and healthcare in the form of Adult Daycare Centers.
With a strictly homecare-based model, “there were so many people we couldn’t help. It broke my heart,” he says. Now, with a focus on creating content and programs, including an online resource library and educational courses for organizations like the AARP and employee benefit programs for corporations, McDaniel is able to impact exponentially more caregivers and recipients.
“We can put the program on the internet where hundreds of thousands of people can access it, or we can do a corporate webinar so the whole company (caregivers and their managers) can learn to meet the challenges associated with eldercare.” he explains. “We’ve designed programs on How Eldercare Impacts Corporations, Individual Caregiving Essentials, Caring For The Caregivers, How To Pay For Eldercare, and many others. We’re helping individuals develop strategies for the absolute best care of their loved ones while simultaneously taking care of themselves and their other responsibilities. We’re spending more and more time with corporate clients to develop programs that help employees and their families. Our programs are considered ‘investments or cost-saves’ because they improve employee retention, satisfaction and productivity and thereby increase the company’s profitability.”
In addition to his consulting work with private clients and his professional speaking engagements, McDaniel serves on the Advisory Board of the Health and Human Services Department of CUNY and manages S.E. & D. Enterprises & Caring Hearts NYC, which provide adult daycare services. He frequently serves as a radio and television commentator and writes for several national publications. His critically acclaimed book Eldercare: The Essential Guide To Caring For Your Loved One and Yourself addresses the essential questions a caregiver must ask. McDaniel also hosts the Mr. Eldercare101™ podcast and video series.