WHAT IS AN AGING LIFE CARE MANAGER?
Aging Life Care Managers have degrees in a human services related field such as social work, psychology, public health, or counseling, or are licensed nurse case managers. We are strong advocate for our clients and those family members who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults. We have extensive experience specializing in issues related to all forms of dementia, the aging process, chronic disease management, complex medical conditions, mental health, special needs, and various disabilities.
Be careful as there are people who call themselves a “care manager”, “eldercare consultant”, “senior advisor”, or even “geriatric care manager” but they do not have the education, experience, or credentials to be an Aging Life Care Professional.
Aging Life Care Managers (previously known as Geriatric Care Managers) have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in our community. The Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) is our governing entity and members are required to adhere to ALCA’s strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The Aging Life Care Professional holds one of the four approved ALCA certifications or are working towards certification. ALCA members also must meet stringent criteria set forth by the association, including higher education, extensive work experience, continuing education, and certification requirements.
Lory Smeltzer, BA, MPH, CMC, Owner/Administrator, Certified Aging Life Care Professional, Advanced Professional Status (US Air Force Veteran)
Lory Smeltzer is the founder and owner of Advanced Senior Solutions, Inc., which was established in Aug. 2000. She earned the designation of “Advanced Member” from the Aging Life Care Association® and is a Certified Professional Life Care Professional through NACCM. After receiving an honorable discharge from the U.S. Air Force, Lory earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Public Health, both from the University of South Florida. Lory has lived in Pinellas county since 1978 and she has over 25 years of experience working in Mental Health Case Management as a Baker Act Liaison and in Medical Social Services for a local hospital organization. Lory is a member of the Area Agency on Aging, Better Living for Seniors, and the Guardian Association. She’s actively involved in several local charities giving away gratis time helping those in need and presents on numerous professional speaking topics throughout the community. As recent empty-nesters, Lory and her husband and business partner Russ Jackson are dedicating most of their time to expanding Advanced Senior Solutions services into other counties in Florida. But in their limited spare time, you can find them tending to their vegetable and rose garden or working on home improvement projects.
Lisa Jones, LPN, CSM, Client Services Manager
Lisa is a seasoned healthcare professional bringing nearly 35 years’ experience advocating for our senior population. She has served clients in independent, assisted living, and memory care communities, and has performed within the scope of practice with licensed home health agencies and as a Nurse Care Manager. Lisa is a CORE-Certified Licensed Assisted Living Administrator through The Department of Elder Affairs. Over the past decade, she has held positions as Director of Operations, Clinical Services Director, Risk Manager and Quality Assurance Officer while advocating with care and compassion for seniors and their loved ones. Lisa has a high level of involvement with public relations & community networking within the Tampa Bay area. She has a talent for developing strong inter-personal relationships that are built on trust, implementing sound clinical judgement while upholding state rules & regulations. She excels in identifying problems, simplifying procedures, and finding innovative solutions. Her natural passion for advocating has inspired her successful career path.
Sandy Calvert, RN, Nurse Care Manager
Sandy is an experienced nursing professional with clinical and operational leadership expertise developed during her career in hospitals and post-acute settings of healthcare. Beginning her nursing career in medical surgical and critical care hospital settings, Sandy expanded her nursing career into home care, working in both urban and rural markets. Her passion for excellence in patient care, acute and chronic disease management and patient/family advocacy sustained her motivation to implement home care programs within Medicare-Certified and Private Duty agencies over more than thirty-five years in the industry. Sandy is accustomed to working in increasingly complex environments of healthcare and assisting patients and families to navigate the care spectrum of hospitals, rehabilitation, skilled nursing, assisted living and home care. With a diverse knowledge of community resources and medical communities, she understands the importance of finding the right setting of care to provide the safest and highest quality outcomes of care. Sandy has resided in St. Petersburg since 1980, and enjoys spending spare time with family, home improvement projects and the joys of coastal living.
Maggie Murrow, BS, MS, Life Care Manager
Maggie holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a master’s degree in Psychology, and has completed extensive coursework towards her Doctorate in Health Psychology. Her education focuses on how social, cultural, and environmental factors impact health and wellbeing, with an emphasis on developing health care strategies that foster emotional and physical well-being. Her dissertation focuses on the impact of emotional stress on illness and disability. She has over a decade of experience in the field of psychology, having worked with mentally disabled adults in their pursuit of education and work-related goals. She has also worked with professionals skilled in Elisabeth Kubler-Ross’s seven stages of grief. Her experience and education help her identify and understand the multiple factors our elderly and disabled adult clients face. In her free time, Maggie works on animation shorts of children’s books and rhymes and is currently working to finish an animation for a children’s book on Death and Dying.
Susan Smiley BSN, RN, Nurse Care Manager
Susan Smiley is an RN with about 30 years’ of nursing experience and has a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Her broad experience in case management working in various healthcare related industries, most of which coming from home health care and legal nurse consulting, has allowed her to perfect her assessment skills. She also has extensive experience as a psychiatric nurse and specializes in working with clients who have cognitive, substance abuse, and behavioral issues. She’s very familiar with the resources in our community and has the keen ability to know how to match the right services with her clients’ care needs. In Susan’s spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, being in nature hiking and e-biking, and she performs volunteer work as a member of the Nurse Honor Guard of Tampa Bay.
Hope Caldwell, BS, RN, Nurse Care Manager
Hope is a Registered Nurse and earned a Master’s Degree in Health Care Administration. She has over 35 years of experience working as a Case Manager and Director of Nursing for various industries such as hospitals, home health care, assisted living, and skilled nursing centers. She is a recognized expert in infection control, clinical education, and quality improvement. She has proven success in solving problems and tackling new responsibilities, with a proactive approach to improving client outcomes with creative solutions. She has solid critical thinking skills, sharp attention to detail, and a commitment to professionalism. In her free time, she enjoys showing her dogs for breed and competing in canine nose work, and agility.
Criss Kellogg, BS, RN, CDP Nurse Care Manager, Certified Dementia Practioner
Criss holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Michigan with a major in Clinical/Community Psychology and a minor in Addiction Studies. Criss brings over 30 years of experience as a Registered Nurse and a Medical Social Worker, providing services in hospitals, skilled nursing care centers, assisted living facilities, and home health care. Criss is a CORE Certified Licensed Assisted Living Administrator through The Department of Elder Affairs and has served as the Director of Nursing and the Executive Director in assisted living facilities. Criss also holds a certification as a Certified Dementia Practitioner with extensive experience collaborating with family members and the community to assist in caring for clients afflicted with Alzheimer’s and related dementia. Criss uses a holistic approach addressing the needs of the mind, body, and spirit. Through comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments, her goals are client-focused to address concerns, find solutions, and translate information into individualized care plans focusing on health, wellness, and the best quality of life possible. In her spare time, she enjoys listening to music, traveling, and being out in the sunshine. In the fall you’ll find her and her husband Doug, watching college football and cheering on their Michigan Wolverines.
Krista Micklow, RN, Nurse Care Manager
Krista Micklow is an RN and has been in the nursing field for over 30 years. She is a Florida native. Her experience expands from oncology, home health care case management, hospice, and palliative care. Over the span of her nursing career, Krista has received a multitude of certifications. Krista has cared for the senior population in Florida for her entire nursing career and aims to help seniors and disabled adults have their best quality of life. Krista is diligent and honest with a determination to provide the best care for her clients. Nutrition and fitness are important parts of Krista’s life, and she enjoys sharing this knowledge with her clients. Krista enjoys spending time with her family, yoga, and hiking in the mountains.
Bernadette Homan, BSW, Life Care Manager
Bernadette has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Adelphi University in Garden City, NY, a highly awarded, nationally ranked university. She has over 30 years’ experience in the social work field from nursing homes to assisted living memory care communities in Pinellas County, FL. For the past 20 years, she has been working solely with those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other forms of Dementia. She is skilled in how to approach, communicate, and redirect the more challenging clients as well as providing beneficial guidance and support to their family members. Bernadette has extensive experience and training in performing assessments, including cognitive and depression evaluations. She has a vast knowledge of the resources in our community and has a talent for connecting the most appropriate services to the clients’ needs. During her free time, you’ll find Bernadette either outside enjoying the sunshine or volunteering for the many organizations she’s passionate about.
Russ Jackson, BS, CFO, Business Office Manager
Russ has been with Advanced Senior Solutions since the very beginning. As Lory’s husband, he is not only her life partner but also her business partner. Russ has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication and has over 25 years of experience in QuickBooks, billing, payroll, taxes, computer system administration, and information technology. His back office support for our clients, their families, and our team is invaluable. Russ works closely with the agency’s trusted advisors such as our CPA, Attorney, and our business Banking officer. Russ is also the founder/owner of SafetyWatch Medical Alert Systems. SafetyWatch offers a basic unit, water proof pendant, fall detection device and a GPS device to get help anywhere, anytime. The system can be used in the home, independent/retirement communities, and in assisted living facilities. In Russ’ spare time, he enjoys watching sports, and gardening with Lory.
Kelly Eichner, Case Coordinator / Administrative Assistant
Kelly is our agency’s Case Coordinator and Administrative Assistant. She handles all office related duties, such client relations, supporting our Life/Nurse Care Manager’s needs, and staffing of our homemaker/companions. She has over 25 years work experience in human resources and business office management. The majority of her experience was working for a major store chain where she was in charge of the personnel department. Prior to working for our agency, Kelly worked for a local assisted living facility and had to build their business office from the ground up. She is proud of having had zero deficiencies in her department when the Agency of Health Care Administration performed their onsite review. Kelly is also a Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Med Tech, and has had extensive training in Alzheimer’s Dementia. Her special skills are in multi-tasking, excellent communication, coordinating with physicians, clients and their family members, and with our team. In Kelly’s free time she enjoys spending time with her daughter and loves the outdoors.
To reach one of our Advanced Senior Solution’s team members, Contact Us Here or call 727-443-2273. We’re here to help you.