Watch this clip from Channel 7 KOAT in New Mexico on our progress there and in 18 states!
SEATTLE — The daughter of the legendary Casey Kasem, host of “American Top 40” radio and TV show, is breaking her silence about the death of her famous father following a very public national drama played out near Seattle last year.
In her first full interview about it, Kerri Kasem explained how her famous father was kept from his family by his second wife, and the legal battle to get him back – even though it was too late to save his life.
“The doctor said, quote, ‘what was done to this man was inhumane’,” she said.
She warns it is the same nightmare that thousands of families face every year. And, she said, she intends to do something about it.
Casey Kasem was a friend of an entire generation, and Kerri said she is “so proud of my dad!”
Kerri Kasem says her famous dad, despite a divorce, was always there for his kids even at the height of his career. But Kerri accuses his second wife Jean Kasem of isolating him in his ailing years, eventually taking him to a tiny house near Bremerton despite his grave condition.
“Adult children don’t have the rights to ask for visitation to an ailing parent,” she said. “The only people that can give visitation is a spouse, a guardian, a conservator. And if any of those people say no, sorry – you’re never going to see your dad or mom again.”
Good Day LA, Fox 11 Los Angeles
At the very end I ask the DA, Jackie Lacey to do her job and prosecute for elder abuse.
Elder Abuse should not go unpunished!
Deciding whether someone is legally competent to make decisions regarding their estate plan is an issue many practitioners face with elderly clients. The assessed capacity required for legal competence increases with the seriousness of what is at stake. The usual explanation is that patient autonomy is being balanced against best interests. In many instances a family member may subject their loved one to abusive situations. This session will present four concepts critical to understanding abuse: autonomy, vulnerability, capacity and undue influence. Dr. Bonnie Olsen will be sharing this information with you. Following Dr. Olsen, Kerri Kasem will share her real life story –
As an entertainer and the daughter of a renowned celebrity, Kerri Kasem has lived more of her life in the spotlight than most of us. Unfortunately, recent circumstances put her private and very personal family tragedy on the front pages of the news this year. Her legal battle regarding the visitation and medical care of her father, radio icon Casey Kasem, has brought awareness and attention to a cause that many of us may face one day in today’s world of blended families.
SPEAKERS:
Bonnie Olsen, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical psychologist and Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Southern California, Keck School of Medicine. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Colorado State University and her Masters and Ph.D. in Psychology from California School of Professional Psychology in San Diego. She served as the medical psychologist for the UCIrvine/Orange County Elder Abuse Forensic Center for over 7 years where she evaluated alleged victims of financial, sexual or physical abuse. In addition, Dr. Olsen conducted cognitive and mental health assessments of frail elderly patients at the UCI Program in Geriatrics Health Assessment Program for Seniors’ for over 15 years. In the research domain, Dr. Olsen is the program director for an Administration on Aging grant to develop strategies for prevention of elder abuse in persons with dementia, is the principal investigator on a grant from the Archstone Foundation to develop educational materials for caregivers of dementia patients to prevent elder abuse and works with the team of professionals at the National Center of Elder Abuse currently located at USC. Dr. Olsen maintained a private practice in neuropsychological assessment, forensic assessment, cognitive rehabilitation, and psychotherapy for more than 10 years before becoming a full-time faculty member.
Kerri Kasem is a multimedia personality, producer, and writer who has anchored numerous music, talk and entertainment programs for both radio and television. Kerri is the daughter of the late radio host and icon Casey Kasem. Since 1997, Kerri has followed in her father’s footsteps, hosting many radio programs. Kasem was co-host of the internationally syndicated Sixx Sense with Nikki Sixx for four years, but left the show to fight for her father, and to lobby for the “Visitation Bill” AB2034 in California – a vision which in less than six months has seen legislation in four other states. She founded the Kasem Cares Foundation to establish and fight for the rights to have visitation and reasonable access to an ailing parent, especially when under the care and control of an uncooperative spouse or sibling.
Almost sold out! As an entertainer and the daughter of a renowned celebrity, Kerri Kasem has lived more of her life in the spotlight than most of us. Unfortunately, recent circumstances put her private and very personal family tragedy on the front pages of the news this year. Her legal battle regarding the visitation and medical care of her father, radio icon Casey Kasem, has brought awareness and attention to a cause that many of us may face one day in today’s world of blended families.
She founded the Kasem Cares Foundation to establish and fight for the rights to have visitation and reasonable access to an ailing parent, especially when under the care and control of an uncooperative spouse or sibling. She is an inspiration and voice of many people going through challenging times. Through Kerri’s voice, leadership and outreach she hopes to inspire and help others.
Come here Kerri Kasem speak along with the National Aging in Place Council – OC Chapter.
“My life is dedicated to getting a bill passed that will help end isolation for the elderly and sick.” -Kerri
“Existing law requires the conservator of a person to be responsible for the care, custody, control, and education of the conservatee, except when the court, in its discretion, limits the powers and duties of the conservator, as specified.
This bill would require the conservator of an elder or dependent adult to inform the relatives of the conservatee whenever the conservatee dies or is admitted to a medical facility for acute care for a period of 3 days or more and would require the conservator, in the event of the death of the conservatee, to inform the relatives of any funeral arrangements and the location of the conservatee’s final resting place.”
Find the full Bill AB2034 text at California Legislative Information.
Recently on radio, we’ve been talking about and taking phone calls on abuse — whether it be on abuse in the workplace, domestic abuse or elder abuse. — at KABC-AM 790 TalkRadio. Interested in your voice and comments as your information can benefit others. I’ve received numerous letters and Facebook post comments. We continue to create alliances from great organizations that we will be sharing on this site soon. Thanks for your feedback and support.
Love, Kerri