What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
Geriatric Care Manager. I also support new inquiry calls.
What made you want to work in the field of aging?
My mom, Paula, got cancer when I was 12 years old and later had two strokes along with many other complications. I helped take care of her for most
of my life and had to become more of the adult in our relationship. My twenties were consumed with worry and the complex emotions surrounding the idea of losing her while figuring out my own life. ‘
I wished I had someone like a care manager to support me, find additional resources, and help me navigate the complicated health challenges that arose with her care, for which I was unprepared. I also wanted someone to be honest with me about what I could expect and to help me prepare for her inevitable death. I remember she got a referral for hospice, and I was in such denial that it was real and that it could be a resource to support us both.
After she passed, I found myself with a lot of regrets, as most of us do in our grief. Most importantly, I wanted to be her daughter, to ask her more questions, and to find comfort in knowing she was being cared for so I could give her more cuddles.
How has your job changed in the time you’ve worked at Aging Wisdom?
I previously worked as a Care Manager in California and the last two years at Aging Wisdom. I have been so fortunate to have a solid team to work with where we can collaborate and support each other. I recently came back from maternity leave and the outpouring of love from my team made my return to work so much easier. I continually feel fortunate to love my job and feel inspired!
What do you love about your job?
I love being out in the field, each day is different, and each client brings new challenges and opportunities to strengthen my skills. I love building relationships with my clients and their family members.
Tell us about a professional success story that you’re proud of.
Recently, I had a new client who moved into a community and did not have any family members or friends to support her. The community quickly recognized she needed some additional help after she was settled in. Once we were on board, I had to pull back layers to understand a bit more about who she was, her complicated medical history, family trauma, and that she was most likely not doing well for some time before she moved. She was heading down a scary path and was a harm to herself.
We acted quickly and got her the support she needed with additional structure and medication oversight. She just recently moved back to the community after her hospital stay and is doing so much better and is no longer a harm to herself. It was a group effort with lots of coordination and oversight, but she is in a much better place now and we will continue to follow her and make sure she does not get back to the spot she was before.
What motivates you?
When a client is not open to any sort of help, they slowly open up, little by little, and end up in a more stable place because of it.
