Kerri Kasem’s nationwide mission to end elder abuse extends to her father’s home state of Michigan

For many Americans growing up in the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s, Saturdays meant soccer games, bike rides, trips to the mall and Casey Kasem on the radio, counting down the week’s top 40 songs. His voice was an influential part of our lives, though nowhere more so than in the lives of his kids. 

Casey Kasem’s daughter, Kerri, had always been close with her father. She was the host of a successful syndicated radio show when, in 2013, she received the heartbreaking news that he had been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. She recalls, along with the shock of the diagnosis, that of her stepmother’s terrifying words to her: You are never going to see your dad again.

Had it not been for several contentious court battles, her stepmother may have been correct. 

Though ultimately able to see her father during his final year of life, Kerri’s time with him was brief, particularly when compared to the many days she’d had to spend in courtrooms, just to get that bit of time. 

Because of that experience, ever since her father’s death on June 15, 2014, Kerri has been on a mission to ensure that others don’t have to go through what she did. It began when she established Kasem Cares, a foundation dedicated to fighting elder abuse, and fight they have: In eleven states (and counting), Kasem Cares has succeeded in getting legislation passed granting visitation rights to the children of elderly and incompetent loved ones. 

State number twelve, she hopes, will be Michigan, where her father was born. 

On February 13, Kerri and other advocates from Kasem Cares spoke with the Michigan Senate Judiciary Committee and asked for legislative backing of Senate Bill 713, which allows for a qualified person to petition the court for visitation of an isolated adult. The Committee’s support for the bill was unanimous. 
 
As the bill heads to full Senate for a vote, and as state number twelve comes within reach, Kerri Kasem and Kasem Cares continue to work tirelessly, day after day, to get similar bills passed in all 50 states. Until they do, there is no doubt they will keep going. They know how much their work matters, not only to them but to so many others. As Detroit broadcaster John Akouri, President of the Lebanese-American Chamber of Commerce, said: “Our parents were there for us when we entered this world, and we, their children, should be there for them when they leave us.”