As a Geriatric Care Manager/Consultant I assist families navigate needs and questions regarding senior issues. I can provide a complete assessment or just what he or she needs. As a consultant, I constantly update my knowledge with issues and available resources for seniors.

A significant part of what we provide is a long term assessment of finances and resources, projecting how long the person's finances will last. We suggest 2-3 options for the family to review on an excel spreadsheet and the family can decide which is best for them. As Daily Money Managers, we also provide assistance in this area when needed.

I also have another company if someone is needing to move to a community, either a safety issue or just wanting more socialization. Options include independent living, assisted living, or memory care. I meet with the family, looking at medical, finances, personality, area, etc. and provide 2-3 communities for the family to review. Many times the family has no idea questions to ask. I personally review and visit these communities, looking at staff, deficiencies, complaints, care, etc. I will meet the family when they tour, if they prefer. I also follow up after the person moves to that community to get feedback from the family. If the person prefers to stay in the home, I can make suggestions for safety and resources available for them to do so.

I am a Certified Senior Advisor, (CSA), Care Manager Certified (CMC), and a Certified Dementia Professional (CDP). I have been a speaker for Alzheimer's Association and gone through training as a support group facilitator. I have also been trained with the Area Agency on Aging in "Matter of Balance", "Self Management of Chronic Diseases", and Self Management in Diabetes".

Family caregivers have become my 'heroes'. Unless someone has walked in their shoes, it is difficult to understand their overwhelming and roller coaster emotional feelings in caring for a loved one. They sacrifice many times, resulting in their own health and lifestyle declining. I constantly remind a caregiver that 'they must take care of self, in order to care for a loved one.'

If an organization or business is in need of 'lunch seminars', I have a variety listed on my website, www.caregiversconnection4u.com.

Our son opened a Medicare home health agency in 2003. HIs dad and I came onboard. In the beginning, I wore many hats, but my favorite was working with families in finding resources to help them stay in their home or options in moving to a preferable environment. In 2007, I became a Certified Senior Advisor and in 2015 I joined National Association of Geriatric Care Mangers, later becoming Aging Life Care Association.