After caring for my own mother and seeing the gaps in dementia seizure care, I dedicated myself to providing the practical, evidence-based solutions I wish we’d had.”
– Russ Barker, MHA, DHSc Candidate
Founder, Seagull Health
About the Founder
My name is Russ Barker, and I hold a Master’s in Health Administration (MHA) and am currently a Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) candidate expected to graduate in December 2025. With 25 years of experience as a nursing home administrator, I’ve always been passionate about improving care for patients with dementia. However, this mission became profoundly personal after caring for my mother, Eileen, who suffered from Alzheimer’s and challenging seizures before she passed away a couple of years ago.
Caring for her firsthand, especially during her mid-to-late stages, I experienced the stark lack of practical resources and effective training surrounding seizures in dementia – a gap I found shocking even with my extensive background in long-term care. This frustration fueled my desire to find real answers.
My resolve was deeply solidified during a poignant day honoring my mother’s memory at her favorite place, Carmel Beach. There, amidst the emotions of the day, I encountered an artist painting the very coastline my mother cherished. We spoke, I shared why I was there, and I ultimately commissioned the finished painting, which the artist beautifully named ‘Eileen’s View.’ It now hangs in my home office as a constant reminder of her spirit and the need for better care. That day was also marked by a persistent seagull that seemed to accompany my family everywhere, becoming the direct inspiration for my company’s name – Seagull Health.
Driven by both my professional expertise and this deeply personal journey, I founded Seagull Health LLC to leverage my long-term care experience and dedicated doctoral research. My focus is clear: to develop and share the practical, evidence-based tools needed to reduce seizure risks and enhance the quality of life for those living with dementia. My initiative, SeizureSafe™, offers the resources and training I desperately wish my family and my mother’s caregivers had.
My focus is on leveraging research and collaboration to reduce seizure risks, enhance quality of care, and drive innovation in dementia care.
Key Areas of Expertise
- Developing Practical Tools: Translating 25 years of LTC experience and research into actionable training and risk assessment tools.
- Empowering Caregivers: Providing clear response guidance and documentation strategies to build staff confidence.
- Driving Evidence into Practice: Leading the ongoing research and development behind SeizureSafe™, including our 2025 pilot program.
My goal with Seagull Health is to ensure no other family or care team feels as lost as I did when facing dementia-related seizures. I’m committed to providing practical, reliable resources and look forward to partnering with facilities dedicated to enhancing resident care.
Connect Further
Explore SeizureSafe™ Essentials
