Candace Esham is an engineer turned elder care advocate whose personal tragedy sparked a movement for change. After losing her beloved grandmother to neglect in an assisted living facility, Esham founded the Delaware Elder Care Advocacy Coalition. Her tireless efforts led to the passage of six landmark bills improving oversight and care standards in long-term care facilities. Esham’s unique background in regulatory compliance and performance improvement, combined with her personal experience, brings a powerful perspective to the fight for elder rights. She has been featured in The News Journal and recognized with the 2024 Lt. Governor’s Challenge Community Spotlight Award for her advocacy work. When not championing elder care reform, Esham enjoys golfing, traveling, and spending time with her family and Goldendoodles Carter and Dallas.
Contact Candace at Candace.Esham@gmail.com
Locked Out:
Elder Neglect and the Keys to Change
In “Locked Out: Elder Neglect and the Keys to Change,” Candace Esham takes readers on a heart-wrenching journey through the hidden world of elder neglect in America’s long-term care facilities. When her beloved grandmother dies from preventable neglect in an assisted living facility, Esham transforms her grief into a powerful force for change.
This eye-opening book exposes the systemic failures that leave our most vulnerable citizens at risk, detailing shocking incidents of neglect before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Esham’s meticulous investigation into her grandmother’s case reveals a broken system of oversight and accountability, where profits often trump patient care.
But “Locked Out” is more than an exposé—it’s a roadmap for change. Esham shares her hard-won insights on building effective advocacy teams and navigating the complex world of policy-making. Her successful campaign to pass groundbreaking legislation in Delaware offers hope and practical strategies for readers seeking to make a difference.
This book is essential reading for seniors, their families, policy makers, and anyone concerned about the quality of elder care in America. Esham’s powerful narrative and actionable advice will inspire and equip readers to become voices for the voiceless, ensuring that no more elders are “locked out” of the dignity and care they deserve.
Available for purchase on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Candace Esham 