Small Business Tackles the NFL Alumni Cognitive Concerns thru Coaching

From the Sidelines to the Frontlines / From the Press Box to the Memory Box

(Indian Land, SC) – South Carolina based Keep In Mind, Inc., President Ellen (Roberts) Belk; is announcing a Dementia Care Coaching Initiative, targeted to those former professional Football players and their family caregivers who are either suffering from or worried about cognitive decline.

Belk, a former NFL beat reporter, on-air talent and producer for New York outlets WFAN, WLIB and eYada.com; has dedicated the last 13 years of her career to advocating for those with a dementia diagnosis while training and supporting their caregivers as a Dementia Care Solutions Expert.

“80% of all dementia care is delivered by family members or close relatives. And, often these folks are thrust into those duties with zero experience. We provide dementia care solutions that can ease their burdens,” says Belk. She hopes to merge both her previous and present career ‘worlds’ and bring much-needed support to those former NFL players and their families who would benefit from her expertise.

Dementia isn’t a specific disease. Instead, dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning. Many causes of dementia symptoms exist.

Keep In Mind, Inc. offers customized Dementia Care training for family caregivers. “We have a holistic Dementia Care philosophy and we provide suggestions and solutions, based on the issues the caregivers share with us.” Belk explains.

“I am in a unique position; that certainly sets me apart from my peers in Dementia,” she continues. “From my years inside professional sports and most notably professional football, I understand the mindset of former athletes. I relate to their competitiveness and the intensity of the game. Having that perspective is essential. I can ‘coach’ their caregivers how to use those past characteristics to their benefit now. Dementia care is tough, but it can be much easier when you utilize a person’s past history in their care planning.”

Belk graduated from Marquette University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism as a scholarship athlete. Her sports radio broadcasting journey began in Milwaukee at WTMJ and WISN; then moved to WBT in Charlotte before landing in the Big Apple.

Career highlights in New York, include being the game day studio producer for Giants Football, the on-sight producer for both the Jets & Giants Monday Night Show and the Jets daily beat reporter for three seasons. At the pinnacle, Belk was co-hosting a nightly sports talk show on eYada.com. After the September 11th, 2001 attacks; Belk left New York and sports broadcasting and transitioned into healthcare.

Through continuing education and boots-on-the-ground experience from the frontlines of care; Belk emerged as a recognized Dementia Solutions Expert specializing in operations, caregiver training and patient advocacy. Remarkably she successfully navigated from the NFL sidelines & locker rooms to being an accomplished leader in Dementia Care.

In 2011, Belk and her husband opened Keep In Mind, Inc. In addition to the caregiver training packages; they offer a Corporate Wellness initiative, designed for family caregivers who must maintain a career/job outside of their care duties. For more information and caregiver resources visit:

Listen to Alzheimer’s Speaks Radio Show with NFL Play By Play Voice Gerry Sandusky of the Baltimore Ravens. Host Lori La Bey discussed with Gerry the NFL, player and family needs along with Gerry’s new book Forgotten Sundays.