What is your role at Aging Wisdom?
What made you want to work in the field of aging?
Like many new social workers, I started my career in child and family services. After a few years I was already feeling burned out and then serendipitously recruited to work for a hospice agency. I was immediately drawn to the work with the older adult population and seeing how family relationships evolve across the lifespan. It also aligned well with my interest in medical social work. After enjoying my work in hospice for a few years, I discovered private care management which allowed me to really focus my work on older adults, but in a more comprehensive way that wasn’t just focused on end of life.
How has your job changed in the time you’ve worked at Aging Wisdom?
Aging Wisdom is the type of company that works hard to improve and evolve our processes and services. This means that things change often, but always for the better. I have a bigger role now on the Leadership team but still enjoy doing direct client work and mentoring our team.
What do you love about your job?
One of the most rewarding parts of my role has become the opportunity to educate and mentor others. I get to do this in a variety of meaningful ways; through one-on-one client consultations, giving presentations in the community, and supporting my team in a supervisory role. Whether I’m helping a family better understand their options or guiding a colleague’s growth, it feels very fulfilling to share knowledge and see it make a difference.
Tell us about a professional success story that you’re proud of.
A colleague once said that care managers have the “crystal ball” and can often predict how things will unfold for a client who is facing cognitive or physical changes and navigating decisions about their care. I really enjoy the opportunity to support families by answering their immediate questions and concerns, while also helping them prepare for what may lie ahead. I’ve worked with one family on and off for over a decade. At one point, the daughter said to me, “Everything you said would happen has happened.” For her, having that foresight made the experience less overwhelming and more manageable.
What motivates you?
Aging Wisdom hires the most special and dedicated people. They nourish me and keep me motivated to keep delivering on great work.
