Welcome Wisdom

Reflections of Gratitude

by Felicia Juntunen, CMC, ECM Director of Care Management

As 2022 comes to a close, it prompts a review of the many things for which the Elder Care Management team is grateful. This year has been one of change and growth amongst our ranks. Gail Arno, Director of Care Management, and mentor to the rest of us, announced her semi-retirement. We are grateful for the wisdom and leadership Gail continues to provide as an active part-time care manager. Our staff grew and we are grateful for the addition of two more full-time care managers, each bringing their strengths and perspective to our care management practice.

We appreciate the collaboration with community organizations, like Del Oro Caregiver Resource Center, who helped us reach those who needed information and support. Educational opportunities abounded and Elder Care Management provided over 25 hours of community presentations in a variety of venues and online. Topics included Compassionate Communication, Caregiving Today, and a new offering, Final Chapter: A Discussion on Death and Dying. Our monthly newsletter this year focused on many care partners with whom we collaborate to provide much needed services and support to our clients. Among the providers we discussed, we shared information about fiduciaries, placement specialists, home health, in-home care, activity specialists who provide life enrichment, and the important role of hospice and end of life support. These and many other partners make our work as care managers possible as we combine efforts to improve the quality of life for those we serve.

As an offer of our gratitude to those who have served our country, Elder Care Management sponsored the Mission to Honor Veterans, an annual event where over 90 local veterans, who would be unable to travel to Washington D.C., received recognition for their service. In December, Elder Care Management will provide holiday meals for residents at Mather Veteran’s Village. An added gift of a warm blanket will accompany this offering, provided through a drive coordinated by New Leaf Senior Transitions, a valued senior care industry partner. We consider it an honor to give our thanks to those men and women who have served in our armed forces.  

I extend my heartfelt thanks to our entire staff: Piper Jackson, Nicolette Eberle, Cindi Unger, Kristin Messer, Gail Arno, Aimee Smith, Judy Kent, and Maureen Lawrence, for the dedication they bring to their work and the unflagging support they provide to their clients and care management colleagues. To Jason Wu, owner, and chief supporter and encourager of our work, who helps us accomplish more than we think we are able – thank you!

American author, Hal Borland, said, “Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”  Thank you for going on with us into 2023.

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