senior care Archives - Page 8 of 10

Linda Strobel, LMSW – Organize & Rejuvenate, and Alton Reynolds and Barry Wolf of Global Healthcare Affiliates International

April 13, 2012 by angishields

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Linda Strobel, LMSW - Organize & Rejuvenate, and Alton Reynolds and Barry Wolf of Global Healthcare Affiliates International

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Don’t forget about Friends of Gwinnett County Senior Services upcoming annual silent auction! The event will be held at Delmar Gardens in Lawrenceville on April 26, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM. There is still time to donate an item, be a sponsor, or buy a ticket. Sponsorships are available from $100, and tickets are $25 for advance purchase.

Linda Strobel is an Ohio native who fled the cold weather for Dallas after graduating from Kent State University with an undergraduate degree in Social Work. Upon arriving in Dallas, Linda began working as a habilitator for Volunteers of America. After a few stops at facilities and hospitals, Linda decided to go back to school and complete her Masters of Social Working at the University of Texas at Arlington.

Today, Linda is a PRN social worker for 4-5 home health companies in the Dallas area and is the Owner of Organize and Rejuvenate, a professional residential organization service. Linda is very involved in her community. She participates in activities with the Random Acts of Kindness Meet Up Group, the Tzu Zoo DFW Rescue Group (for Shih Tzus & Lhapso Apsos), NAPO (Natl. Assoc. of Prof. Organizers) and a local Community Time Bank (that utilizes an exchange of services). If you would like to contact Linda about her services, you can visit http://www.organizeandrejuvenate.com/ or call her at 972-816-8004.

Alton Reynolds wears a multitude of hats! He has been serving in the “helping professions” both on the clinical and business side of healthcare for nearly 40 years. Starting his career providing psychiatric assessments of Navy and Marine personnel returning from Viet Nam, Alton continues to provide these assessments today.

Barry Wolf is a graduate of University of Pittsburgh. He holds both BA and MA degrees in Urban Regional Planning and Economics. Barry has spend the last 35 years working in commercial real estate, asset management, property management and funding. He specializes in projects in the healthcare and senior care industries.

Three years ago, Alton and Barry came together to form Global Healthcare Affiliates International, which offers a comprehensive menu of services to healthcare clients, ranging from business valuation services to mergers and acquisitions. Their philosophy is clear – to assist their healthcare clients in solving their issues and addressing their needs. As the Baby Boomers age, it is clear that the needs of a burgeoning senior population will be different. Further, the implementation of these needs will be more complex, due to the sheer volume of people that will be moving into their 70s and 80s in the next 20 years. Listen in as Barry and Alton share their ideas about the types of communities that are currently being considered for development. For more information, contact Barry at 678-200-7759, or Alton at 404-932-2755. You can also visit their website at www.globalhealthcareai.com, or email them: Barry@globalhealthcareai.com, or Alton@globalhealthcareai.com.

We want to thank Griswold Special Care for sponsoring today’s show. Griswold Special Care has been a preferred provider of high quality, affordable in-home senior care in Dallas and Atlanta for 20 years.

FODAC’s Run, Walk & Roll – May 5

April 5, 2012 by angishields

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FODAC's Run, Walk & Roll - May 5

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Return guest, Chris Brand has been involved in helping disabled adults and seniors for as long as he can remember. As a young man, he had a friend of the family whose son suffered from Muscular Dystrophy. He watched the family’s struggles until the son died at the age of 19. This gave him a first-hand look at how difficult it can be for a family to deal with the disability of a loved one, particularly with respect to independence and mobility issues.

As President and CEO of Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC), Chris is thrilled to be able to assist families of disabled adults and children in accessing both equipment and services to facilitate accessibility and independence. FODAC fills 3,600 requests, distributing over 5,000 items each year from its 65,000 square foot facility in Stone Mountain. The retail value of all medical equipment that has been given away now totals over $60 million!

On May 5, Stone Mountain Park and Herschend Family Entertainment will be hosting one of FODAC’s three major fundraising events for 2012: The Run, Walk & Roll. This event is a fun and healthy way to raise money for a terrific cause. Click here to register for the event, or SPONSOR BRAD HERE. If nothing else, come on out to the park on Saturday morning to start your Cinco de Mayo celebration and see whether or not Brad can make it all the way around the mountain! To find out more about FODAC, or learn about volunteer opportunities, call them at (770) 491-9014, or visit their website at www.fodac.org.

Mutual of Omaha’s Jeff Morris

March 16, 2012 by angishields

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Mutual of Omaha's Jeff Morris

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Anybody remember “Wild Kingdom” with Marlin Perkins? One of America’s favorite family shows in the 60s, Wild Kingdom was sponsored by Mutual of Omaha. This week’s guest is Brooklyn native, Jeff Morris. Jeff started working with Mutual of Omaha in 2009. He says he selected Mutual of Omaha because the company is truly focused on the policy holder, and determined to do the right thing for it owner/clients over the long haul. Jeff serves his clients by providing life, disability, Medicare supplemental and long term care insurance. He loves his role with Mutual of Omaha because he is truly meeting a need for his clients, rather than simply selling a widget. To find out more, contact Jeff by email at jeff.morris@mutualofomaha.com, or visit their website at www.mutualofomaha.com.

Lois Ricci, Geriatric Education Consultant and Chris Smith, ParkGate Active Adult Retirement Community

March 8, 2012 by angishields

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Lois Ricci, Geriatric Education Consultant and Chris Smith, ParkGate Active Adult Retirement Community

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Chris Smith is a fourth-generation Bostonian and a descendant of Governor William Bradford (Mayflower). After majoring in business at Boston College, she moved to Dallas and was married in 1977. Chris worked in several start-up companies with her husband, spanning restaurants, pest control and real estate. Chris then decided to pursue her passion for helping people.

Having looked up to her grandmother, who was a nurse and one of the finest people she had ever known, Chris endeavored to emulate her. All her life, Chris had been a caretaker and enjoyed making a difference in peoples’ lives. Being a baby boomer, Chris is very cognizant of our aging population and for a long time has had a keen interest in seniors.

A dear friend told Chris of a friend who owned a senior living community and needed help with marketing. They met and there was an instant connection. Chris has been part of ParkGate for a year and finds working with people in this industry to be one of the most gratifying experiences that she could have hoped for. The people in the elder care profession have proven to be kind-hearted, caring, attentive and selfless. Chris says “It’s so rewarding to be among people who really do care.” For more information about ParkGate, email Chris at chris.smith@parkgatedallas.com or call the main number at 214-219-1091. You can also visit their website at www.parkgatedallas.com.

Born and raised in Boston, Lois Ricci has been a Geriatric Nurse Practitioner for 40 years. She started her nursing career working night shifts in the ICU at a hospital in Missouri. While there, she was asked to teach nursing assistants in a nursing home. She quickly realized that she loved working with the elderly (and didn’t love working the night shift)! She went on to do graduate work in Gerontology, and earned a doctorate in education. She recently spent three years with the University of Georgia Institute of Gerontology, and now is teaching courses at Kennesaw, University of Georgia and Clayton State University.

Lois also sits on the board of the Georgia Gerontology Society. This is an organization that provides a wide variety of educational resources to its members, and to the community. In addition, the Georgia Gerontology Society holds two educational events each year. On March 16, the Society is hosting its Spring workshop, entitled Palliative Care: Bringing the Pieces Together. This event will be held at the Medical Center of Central Georgia in the Eversole Auditorium from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm. The cost is $50, and lunch and parking are provided. While the event will be held in Macon, it will be well worth the 75 minute drive! In addition, Social Work CEUs will be available. Find out more by visiting the website: www.georgiagerontologysociety.com. Lois can be reached via email at loisricci@bellsouth.net.

Jeff Smythe, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Atlanta, and Scott Farber, Lest We Forget Video Project

March 2, 2012 by angishields

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Jeff Smythe, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels Atlanta, and Scott Farber, Lest We Forget Video Project

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Scott Farber grew up wanting to be a professional baseball player in Chicago. After knee surgeries ended that dream, he went into broadcasting baseball games for both radio and television. After moving to Dallas 30 years ago, Scott went into advertising where he founded SF Media Consultants, and has worked closely with the record labels, the medical industry and professional sports franchises.

Recently, Scott had the opportunity to work on a World War II documentary which led him to launch www.generationslestweforget.com. This website hosts recorded stories from our seniors to preserve them for future generations. Scott works closely with senior communities around the Dallas area to film 15-20 minute ‘mini documentaries’ of their residents (at no cost to them), and he is always looking for more stories to record. If you are interested in having your, or your loved ones’ stories captured, you can call 972-625-5419 x106 or email scott@sfmediainc.com.

A Denver native, Jeff Smythe discovered early on that he wanted to spend his life and career helping people. While in college, he spent time with WorldTeach in Central America. Upon return and graduation from college, Jeff moved to Atlanta for our glorious Spring and Autumn weather. He started working with OpenHand Atlanta, and went on to earn a Masters in Public Administration from Georgia State University.

Approximately ten years ago, he accepted a position with Senior Citizen Services. As the Executive Director of the organization, Jeff takes pride in the fact that the organization serves more than 100,000 meals per year through its Meals on Wheels program, and provides home repair for literally hundreds of Fulton County citizens each year. In addition, Senior Citizen Services offers one of the only Adult Day Health programs for mid-stage Alzheimer’s patients and operates seven neighborhood senior centers. Senior Citizen Services counts on YOUR assistance to continue to serve Atlanta’s elderly population. To find out how you can help, please visit their website at www.MealsOnWheelsAtlanta.org, or call them at 404-351-3889.

Don Johnson, of Brentwood Hospice, and Vicka Brown of Woodstock Nursing & Rehabilitation

February 23, 2012 by angishields

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Don Johnson, of Brentwood Hospice, and Vicka Brown of Woodstock Nursing & Rehabilitation

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Don Johnson’s path to his position at Brentwood Hospice as the Spiritual Care Coordinator has been an eclectic one. After beginning his training for the Priesthood in the Roman Catholic Church, he switched directions. He became a Methodist Minister, pastoring five different United Methodist Churches. Though he loved being a pastor, Don felt a call to work in an area that was more intimate. In addition to working the streets of Dallas’ inner city, he also started working with the terminally ill. Today, Don works to provide pastoral care to those dealing with imminently terminal illnesses. If you would like to contact Don or Brentwood hospice, call 877-388-2304 or visit www.brentwoodhospice.com.

Born and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, Vicka Brown was destined to work with Seniors from an early age. Her mother worked in healthcare with Seniors, and Vicka worked along side her as a youth. In 1998, Vicka moved to Atlanta, and found a job with Cypress Health Group, a premier post-acute care and senior housing management company. Though she went on hiatus twice, she kept coming back to Cypress. Though she has held a number of positions during her tenure with Cypress, today she is the Director of Public Relations at Woodstock Nursing & Rehabilitation, and adores her job. She is thrilled with the very capable staff, and loves the interaction she has with both current and prospective residents.

Vicka tells us that Woodstock Nursing & Rehabilitation is a family-oriented community in the heart of downtown Woodstock. They pride themselves on serving families in a friendly and open environment, maintaining relationships with families over a period of years. Stop by for a tour at 105 Arnold Mill Road in Woodstock. Or visit them on the web at www.cypresshealthgroup.com, or call them at 770-926-0016.

APDA Chapter President Annemarie Schwarzkopf and Brentwood Home Health & Palliative Care’s Joyce Edwards

February 16, 2012 by angishields

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APDA Chapter President Annemarie Schwarzkopf and Brentwood Home Health & Palliative Care's Joyce Edwards

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Joyce Edwards is a Nebraska native who moved to Texas about a decade ago. After graduating from the University of Nebraska – Omaha with a degree in social work, Joyce went to work to work for a nursing home where she worked closely with patients that had Alzheimer’s and dementia. After transition into assisted living and eventually home health and hospice, Joyce became the Administrator at Brentwood Home Health and Palliative Care.

Brentwood’s Palliative Care program provides care options to patients with a life threatening illness while they pursue treatment and work on recovering. For more information regarding Brentwood’s program, email Joyce at jedwards@brentwoodhomehealth.com.

Originally from Pennsylvania, with a degree from Brown University, Annemarie Schwarzkopf, like so many of our guests, was attracted to the senior services field by a personal experience regarding care for her grandparents. She is an Eldercare Advisor for A Place for Mom, and is the current Board President of the Georgia Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA).

A Place for Mom is a referral service for seniors and their families that helps families identify the best senior living and care options for their needs and budget. Annemarie is one of 18 local advisors for A Place for Mom, and has been with them for six years.

The American Parkinson Disease Association was founded in 1961 to facilitate patient and family support, medical research, and education. An estimated 1.5 million Americans have Parkinson’s disease. To date, there is no cure. The primary purposes of the Georgia Chapter are to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease, educate the community, raise funds for research and for support of the Association and the local chapter.

On April 21^st, the APDA will be holding its Skyline Gala at the Nelson Mullins Skydeck in Atlanta from 6pm to 10PM. The event will consist of cocktails, dinner, dancing and a silent auction. The event will be emceed by Monica Kaufman Pearson, Channel 2 Action News anchorwoman. This event is the Georgia APDA’s principal fund raising event for the year. To find out more about the event, please visit the website: www.apdageorgia.org. Contact Annemarie directly at (404) 290-9596, or email her at annemaries@aplaceformom.com.

Chris Brand, CEO of FODAC and Kevin Reitz, new owner of Griswold Special Care in Dallas

February 9, 2012 by angishields

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Chris Brand, CEO of FODAC and Kevin Reitz, new owner of Griswold Special Care in Dallas

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Growing up in the great state of Idaho, Kevin Reitz was a Boise State Bronco fan before it was fashionable to be a fan. Does that make him a hipster? After graduating from Boise State, Kevin took a position in the Enterprise Car Rental Management Training program. He later had an opportunity with a small software company selling crime scene and accident reconstruction software (yes, it really exists and no, I’m no making it up). As the company launched an initiative into the private sector, Kevin was asked to relocate to the Dallas area. About three years ago, he became aware of a sales position with a local assisted living facility. After only 8 months, Kevin was asked to take on the Executive Director’s role at a sister community. During this time, Kevin realized that the senior services market offered another dimension of meaning to his career.

About a year and a half ago, Kevin moved again for the opportunity to work at Griswold Special Care, a non-medical homecare provider serving the Dallas metro area. Kevin and his wife, Shelley, recently became the owners of the Dallas North Office of Griswold Special Care. Kevin tells us he and Shelley had often talked and dreamed of owning their own business, and now that dream has become a reality. Griswold Special Care’s unique differentiator is its ability to focus on both high quality and affordability at the same time. Kevin is proud of the fact that his service is several dollars per hour lower than most competitors, and at the same time, the caregivers make 10-15% more than their peers at other agencies. To find out more, contact Kevin directly at (972) 554-0700, email him at Kevin@gscdallas.com, or visit his website at www.gscdallas.com.

A rare Atlanta native, Chris Brand has been involved in helping disabled adults and seniors for as long as he can remember. As a young man, he had a friend of the family whose son suffered from Muscular Dystrophy. He watched the family’s struggles until the son died at the age of 19. This gave him a first-hand look at how difficult it can be for a family to deal with the disability of a loved one, particularly with respect to independence and mobility issues.

Interestingly, Chris began early in his career by volunteering for Friends of Disabled Adults and Children (FODAC). He was quickly hired by the founder of the organization, and spent three years as their donations coordinator. Moving on to broaden his experience, Chris left FODAC for a few years. In 1999, he returned as a program manager. He has been there ever since, and is now the President and CEO of the organization.

FODAC was founded in 1986 to assist families of disabled adults and children in accessing both equipment and services to facilitate accessibility and independence. FODAC fills 3,600 requests, distributing over 5,000 items each year from its 65,000 square foot facility in Stone Mountain. The retail value of all medical equipment that has been given away now totals over $60 million! To find out more about FODAC, or learn about volunteer opportunities, call them at (770) 491-9014, or visit their website at www.fodac.org.