Aging Life Care Professionals (also called Geriatric Care Managers, GCM’s) are experts in the field of aging and disability. We help seniors and their families navigate the challenges of aging and make positive, informed decisions about the care of their loved ones. We are strategic planners and have a holistic approach to aging with key knowledge areas that include crisis intervention, housing, health and disability, advocacy, family legal, financial and local resources. Hiring an Aging Life Care Expert will bring you peace of mind knowing that you are supported on the aging journey and improving the quality of life for your loved one. 

Credentials and Education:
Certified Professional Geriatric Care Manager
Credentialed Professional Gerontologist
BA Human Development/Gerontology: California State University-East Bay
Masters Gerontology Program: San Francisco State University

Experience:
Serving elders and their families for nearly 30 years.

Geriatric Care Management and Dementia Consulting – Arroyo Grande, Ca
Private Geriatric Care Manager, owner and sole practitioner GCM business, 2010 to present. Worked with numerous families regarding their elder family members with dementia, physical illnesses, frailty and difficult behaviors/ family relationships. The focus is on maintaining quality of life for everyone, especially the elder and primary caregiver, while meeting the housing and care goals of the elder.

Professional Training Specialist for Alzheimer’s Association – San Jose, Ca
The Professional Training Specialist coordinates, develops and implements advanced trainings for a variety of audiences; including long term care administrators, professional caregivers, IHSS workers, case managers, health care professionals, and first responders. Trained over 15,000 professionals with consistent excellent ratings.
Also, facilitated a caregiver support group for 20 years and an early stage support group for 10 years for people living with dementia, and contributed to the Family Connection program, which provides intensive follow up to families caring for a person living with dementia.

Alzheimer’s Disease International – London, England
Consulted for ADI, which establishes and supports Alzheimer’s Associations throughout the world. Consultation included; creating comprehensive direct care staff training program, editing materials for families and professionals and authoring article for medical professionals on Alzheimer’s caregiving issues.

Administrator for Residential Care Home – Campbell, Ca
Licensed administrator for residential care home for the elderly. Improved resident care and satisfaction, including working with families in managing loss and change concerning placement.

Program Director at Live Oak Adult Day Services – San Jose, Ca
Responsible for the operation of the adult day care program. Program served frail elders, predominately those with a dementia diagnosis. Increased attendance, improved training and supervision of staff regarding dementia care, enhanced the assessment protocols of participants, liaison with families regarding coordinating services, care issues, and managing stress and grief, and created and implemented program activities.

Camp for Caring Director at Family Caregiver Alliance – San Francisco, Ca
FCA provides services for brain injured adults and their families. Camp for Caring is a weekend retreat for brain-injured adults. A high percentage of individuals served had a primary diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Responsibilities included planning and implementing camp activities, recruit and train staff, screen participants and act as liaison to participant families.

Achievements and Contributions:
• Creator of the Alzheimer’s Care Academy (ACA), a comprehensive six-hour and three-hour curriculum for direct care workers. ACA is one of only three approved dementia curricula through the Alzheimer’s Association nationwide. Approved in California for several disciplines; including CNA/ HHA, nurses, social workers, RCFE and SNF Administrators.

• Creator of Intellectual Disabilities and Alzheimer’s Disease (ID& AD) curriculum. The only curriculum on this topic approved by the Alzheimer’s Association.

• Dementia expert contributor to the development of the California Long Term Care Education Center dementia curriculum for IHSS workers.

• Trained Eden Alternative Associate.

• State Certified Ombudsman 2006-2010.

• Committee member on the Transportation Mobility and Accessibility for Valley Transit Authority (VTA).

• Trained in Unconscious Bias and Consultative Sales Mastery.