Who We Are
Honoring our elder’s strength, resilience & dignity in life’s twists and turns.
It has been our profound privilege to walk alongside elders and dependent adults at the most vulnerable times of their lives. We have over 3 decades of professional experience as well as the wisdom of personal experience. Starting in skilled nursing, acute rehab, dementia day care, memory care in assisted living, and home care & care management has provided a myriad of knowledge and skills, providing, honest and viable options for care. Our work in elder abuse investigations, including financial abuse & undue influence, was a pivotal time that shaped us into an expert social worker and gerontologist. Serving as a Deputy Public Guardian provided a strong understanding of Probate & LPS conservatorship process as well as trusted connections with collateral contacts and professionals in the field. We are dedicated advocates for adults with disabilities, offering support, assessments, and partnering with their team to ensure access to services and supports. Guiding end-of-life coordination has been an incredibly meaningful & transformative experience.
We are full of compassion & expertise in the field of gerontology. It’s been our life’s work for the past 33 years, 28 as a Master’s level Social Worker. If you’re uncertain where to start at any phase of care for a senior, elder, or adult with disabilities, we are able to assess and navigate the complex system of services and resources, as well as connect support to you or your person. We are fierce about planning and promoting health and safety in the home, as to remain independent. Most of our time is working in Santa Cruz County, but have been sought out in Santa Clara County & Monterey County. We have worked with families through teleconferencing around the state, nation and world.
Services
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Home visits are an integral part of our approach in Social Work Assessments as it allows for professional eyes in the environment the elder is living. A necessary perspective in evaluating for safety, health, care, cognitive changes, and many clues for which someone is managing in their environment, needs, and health. Home visits provide a snapshot & description for how we can come together to meet goals of the client. Being a fierce advocate is a title that has been given to me by numerous colleagues, family members, clients and professionals.
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As we age and watch our loved ones age, there are circumstances, changes, and health transitions that we are all faced with. We can offer guidance, navigation, consultation and coaching to common questions: Are my parents safe at home? What is really going on with my Dad? Where do I start? What do we need? How do I navigate? What do I expect in the next stage of dementia? How can I help my parents plan? How do we set up services? I need help with the hard conversations about staying safety at home. How do I manage the care, house repairs, and finances of my parents from across the country? My Mom had a fall and needs rehab then care at home…what & who is available?
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Comprehensive Gerontology Assessments are a deep dive evaluation that involves extensive information gathering to determine the safety, physical and emotional health, cognitive status, reported concerns, and overall well-being of a client. This includes gathering medical records and information from family members, other supportive care and medical professionals. In addition to interviewing the client and observing the home environment, a detailed written report is produced which includes care recommendations and community resource information.
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Reassurance, expertise in dementia, resources, coordinating with clinicians, prevention of crisis intervention, advocacy, planning, end of life.
