Care Manager
Heather graduated with a B.S. in Social Science from Florida State University. Heather also attended graduate school at Florida Gulf Coast University where she studied Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Heather has worked in mental health, social services and care management since 2006 and has worked with several populations including children, seniors, and adults with chronic health conditions.
Heather is a compassionate and experienced professional with a specialized focus on working with adults and seniors managing chronic health conditions. With over sixteen years in the field, Heather has dedicated their career to supporting individuals through the challenges of mental health and chronic illness, while promoting overall wellness in the aging population.
Heather has been certified in person-centered care planning, assessments, trauma, and Alzheimer’s and Dementia care. Their professional journey includes working in diverse settings, such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and in private homes where they have provided support for individuals navigating the intersection of physical and mental health challenges.
Heather believes in person-centered care to enhance the quality of life for their clients. Heather is particularly passionate about empowering seniors to manage the psychological aspects of aging and helping adults with chronic conditions develop resilience and coping strategies that improve their mental and emotional well-being. Heather’s passion for fostering meaningful connections and creating lasting outcomes has been the cornerstone of their success.
Outside of their clinical work, Heather is actively involved in social engagement, outreach and advocacy, striving to raise awareness about the mental health and social justice needs of the community.
According to the Aging Life Care® Association website, An Aging Life Care Professional, also known as a geriatric care manager, is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults. The Aging Life Care Professionals® is educated and experienced in any of several fields related to Aging Life Care / care management, including, but not limited to counseling, gerontology, mental health, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, or social work; with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.The Aging Life Care Professional assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential. The individual’s independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals are able to address a broad range of issues related to the well-being of their client. They also have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their communities.
Patients we accept include:
- Older adults with or without the support of nearby relatives.
- Older adults who need help with everyday tasks, but don't require nursing care.
- Patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
- Older adults struggling with complex medical needs.
Care Managers can be nurses, social workers, physical therapists, psychologists or other related professionals and are typically licensed in their specialty.
Our geriatric care management (GCM) services are private-pay. Medicare/insurance does not cover GCM services, and we do not accept Medicaid. Depending on individual policies, some long-term care (LTC) policies will cover the cost (in part or in whole) of GCM services. Please check with your LTC company regarding your policy prior to scheduling an appointment.
A care management client assessment is a comprehensive psychosocial tool that care managers utilize to evaluate an individual’s medical, emotional, mental and physical health in order to develop a coordinated plan to maximize overall health with aging.
Aging Life Care Association is the professional organization for professional care managers.
