APA News

This month, we turn the tables on the usual author of our monthly "Getting to Know" article, Lisa Kruse! Lisa has produced this feature for us for the past 3 years, so it's about time we learned a little more about her.

APA: Tell us your job position and describe what your business provides to the community.

I am currently Communications Specialist with the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio. We are a nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for older adults, people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. COA is also and APA Education Sponsor.

APA: How long have you been a Board Member?

I joined the board in January 2025. Being an APA board member does nothing but strengthen my ability to connect with professionals in aging and share COA knowledge. Oh, and also: I believe wholeheartedly in what APA is all about: supporting older adults to live their best lives and collaborate with other professionals while doing it.

APA: How long have you lived in Cincinnati? Where else have you called home?

I have lived in Cincinnati since I was in 6^th grade. Before that, I grew up in McLean, Virginia. Prior to that, I was born and lived the first year of my life in Pittsburgh, PA.

APA: What, or who, inspires you? And why? 

This one’s easy – my mother. Since my father died in 2020, she has accomplished so much. Yes, the big things - living alone, traveling solo, seeing her granddaughter marry. But simply navigating daily life as a widow definitely presents many challenges, and her list of “I did that!” moments is quite long. Her strength inspires me each and every day.

APA: It’s often said that we can learn a lot from our elders. What’s the most important lesson you learned from an older adult in your life?

Without ever saying a word, my father modeled the importance of remaining calm. 

APA: Share with us about your family. Where do they live?

I live in Hyde Park with my husband of 30 years, our two Brittaneys and two cats. My daughter (27) was married in April and she and her husband also live in Hyde Park. My son (24) is beginning his Geology career living in Columbus.

APA: Who does the cooking in your house? What is your “go-to” restaurant when you aren’t eating at home?

I consider myself one lucky girl: My husband does all the cooking! And he’s very good at it. I have many food sensitivities and he constantly creates gourmet, yummy dishes that fit the bill.

This month, our featured APA member is fluent in all things supportive and is fiercely passionate about growth, her 15+ year career and the people who have helped her along the way. Read on to hear more about Ja’Lah Willingham.

APA: Tell us your job position and describe what your business provides to the community.
I am the Executive Director of Little Brothers – Friends of The Elderly, relieving older adults of loneliness and isolation by providing support, companionship and love. We have a specific focus on older adults lacking family support. 

APA: How long have you lived in Cincinnati?
All my life! I was born and raised in Cincinnati.

APA: It’s often said that we can learn a lot from our elders. What’s the most important lesson you learned from an older adult in your life?
From my grandparents, to my great aunts and uncles, and my mother, the most important lesson that I have learned is that our decisions of today impact our tomorrow. In all that we do: be rational, be patient, take time to sort through the options, and always do your research.

APA: Thinking about your professional life, what are you most proud of?
As just the second generation of a 28-year-old organization, and having served here for nearly three years, I feel privileged to help position our elderly friends as the true drivers of our work.

A key part of this evolution has been building a solid, dedicated team—including amazing colleagues like Dawn, Zaire, and Harrison—who share the same passion and commitment. Together, we are laying a strong foundation to ensure we not only honor the needs of today’s elders but also prepare to meet the evolving needs of future generations of older adults, volunteers, and donors. Our goal is to increase capacity, remain relevant, and be adaptable long after my time here.

I am so proud of my growth during my 15+ year career, and I am grateful for each person who has mentored me, provided coaching, or just been in my corner and a part of my story.

Each year, the Association for Professionals in Aging recognizes the professionals who do outstanding work in the field of aging. This year’s award winners were recognized at the Annual APA Awards Happy Hour on March 20 at Seasons. Congratulations to the following:

Outstanding Project – K’vod Connect, Jewish Family Service
Rabbi Walton, Rabbi Stratford, Dara Wood, Mallory Moscovitch, Bethany Putnam, Miriam Karp

Striving to decrease social isolation, K’vod Connect partners with the community’s congregations, agencies and community members to identify those who would benefit from more social engagement and build a referral network that includes rabbis, Jewish professionals, medical professionals, attorneys, police departments and others who provide services to older adults.

From a nominator:
“I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary impact of K’vod Connect on older adults in Greater Cincinnati. The program has not only exceeded expectations but has fundamentally transformed how we support and engage older adults in our community.”

Outstanding Service Provider – Debbie Groh, Elder Care Coordinator, Law Practice of Dennison Keller, LLC

Debbie is a Registered Nurse with 32+ years of dedicated geriatric long-term care experience in Greater Cincinnati. She has a wealth of knowledge and expertise working with older adults and their loved ones to navigate the complex issues that arise with aging.

A nominator speaks of the help Debbie gave to her during her parents’ health decline:
“Her professional help and experience was absolutely a valued part of our journey…it was her genuine care, there is something about the way Debbie interacts and shows up that is just different…I’ll be forever grateful to Debbie. “

Outstanding Leader: Rachel Hodesh, President, Senior LifeCare Consultants

With a rich background in healthcare management, Rachel leads Senior LifeCare Consultants and advocates for optimal client outcomes, utilizing a unique and thoughtful approach to care management developed over decades. Her days are filled with just about anything related to helping others live their best lives as they age - from personalized care planning to complex problem-solving in diverse settings.

Praise for Rachel from a nomination letter:
Rachel’s job is to provide aid to older adults who don’t have family that can help them. She helps with medical appointments, financial needs, companionship, navigating next steps and life changes and everything in between. Many times, she becomes like a member of their family…Rachel is blazing the trail for those who want to serve older adults in a purposeful, meaningful way.”

The Association for Professionals in Aging (APA) is governed by a volunteer board of trustees. Sophia McDermott recently joined the APA board and is excited to be part of such a vibrant and active organization. Read on to learn more about Sophia.

APA: Tell us your job position and describe what your business provides to the community.
I work in operations for Council on Aging (COA). COA is your connection to the wide variety of programs and services available to older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers. As an Area Agency on Aging, we are here to answer questions, share information about options, and connect individuals to the community resources and services that can best meet their needs. 

APA: How long have you been a board member? Why did you join the APA board?

I have been a board member since fall of 2024. I became a board member because I want to increase the options and quality of services available for older adults and I believe that supporting those who work in the field of aging is a great way to meet that goal.

APA: How long have you lived in Cincinnati?

I am from Columbus, Ohio and I moved to Cincinnati to attend college at Xavier University. I fell in love with the city and decided to make it my home after my 2022 graduation.  

APA: It’s often said that we can learn a lot from our elders. What’s the most important lesson you learned from an older adult in your life?
Life is short, live it to the fullest. 

APA: Thinking about your professional life, what are you most proud of?
I am proud of the personal growth that has resulted from regularly pushing myself out of my comfort zone.

As of the beginning of this year, the Association for Professionals in Aging (APA) has a new president. Tracey Collins will put her spin on the role she took over from Sylvia Dwertman. A long-time APA member, Tracey’s experience, combined with her enthusiasm for professionals in aging, is sure to propel the association forward. Read on to learn some of Tracey’s plan for what’s next.

APA: Why do you want to be Board President? What do you hope to accomplish/contribute?
I look forward to continuing Sylvia’s legacy with a full year of events for our membership. My goal is to increase scholarship awards in 2025. I see this as a great investment in our future aging professionals.

APA: What is your vision for APA?
I envision the organization providing leadership, support and advocacy for the community of professionals in aging. My goal is to develop a mentoring and coaching model for new professionals as they develop in their careers.

APA: What else would you like to say?
I have recently taken the role as Elder Care Coordinator for the Law Firm of Dennison Keller. I will continue to work with the older adult community by providing case management to the aging population. This includes advocating for their needs, brokering for services, facilitating end-of-life discussions and assisting with navigation of the aging life spectrum of services. This is a great honor for me to serve this community and assist with end-of-life decision making.

Congratulations, Tracey, and we can’t wait to see what your tenure brings!

The Association for Professionals in Aging (APA) is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. Amber Phillips recently joined the APA Board and is excited to be part of such a vibrant and active organization. Read on to learn more about Amber.

APA: Describe what your business provides to the community.
I work for Jewish Family Service as an Adult Therapist. Jewish Family Service provides excellent services to the community by offering therapy to both youth and the older adult population who are experiencing challenges with their mental health. I help by providing support to older adults and youth as they navigate various challenges.  

APA: How long have you lived in Cincinnati?
Minus a few years living in Greensboro, NC when I attended school, I have lived in Cincinnati since 1991, where I was born.

APA: It’s often said that we can learn a lot from our elders. What’s the most important lesson you learned from an older adult in your life?
Work hard. We must work hard for what we want in life.

APA: Thinking about your professional life, what are you most proud of?
I am proud of the work that I do and the strength-based approach that I embody with my clients that has helped them to achieve their therapeutic and life goals.

APA: If we were to ask your best friend about you, what would he/she say?
I am passionate about my work, caring and very intelligent.

With the holidays approaching, now may just be a good time to get to know new APA board member Angel Burton – Chief Financial Officer at Clermont Senior Services. Read on to learn more about Angel.

APA: Describe what your business provides to the community.
Clermont Senior Services is the elderly services provider for Clermont County. We provide numerous programs serving our older adult population, with the hope of keeping them in their homes and living independently for as long as possible.  

APA: How long have you lived in Cincinnati?
I was born and raised in Butler County, Ohio. I grew up in Okeana and graduated from Ross High School. My husband and I moved our family to Batavia, Ohio in 2002, and Clermont County is where we’ve stayed. We now live in Stonelick Township, just outside Owensville, Ohio, or close to Milford, Ohio – depending on which way you’re coming!

APA: What, or who, inspires you? And why?
My goal has always been to make my momma proud. She grew up very poor in eastern Kentucky, and moved to Cincinnati, where the jobs were. She ended up a single mother and worked her entire life to give me a better life. There has never been a day that I doubted her love for me, and even though I lost her in 2023, she will always be the reason I work hard and keep moving forward.

APA: Thinking about your professional life, what are you most proud of?
Prior to working in the non-profit space, I worked in government finance for almost 20 years, working my way up from a treasurer in a small village to the finance director of one of the largest local governments in Ohio.

APA: If we were to ask your best friend about you, what would he/she say?
She would probably chuckle and say it’s a good thing she loves me because I usually cancel plans, and I’m lousy at texting her back, but I’m loyal and I’m steadfast and I know all her secrets, so she’s stuck with me.

The APA is fortunate to have a strong Board of Directors which recently became even stronger with the addition of Pam Johnson, Senior Transition Specialist – Relocation Planners. Read on to learn about Pam, including her personal motto. 

APA: Describe what your business provides to the community and how you do it.
At Relocation Planners, we help with selling or buying a home (Licensed Ohio Realtor) as well as help with liquidation of personal assets (Licensed Ohio Auctioneer).

APA: It’s often said that we can learn a lot from our elders. What’s the most important lesson you learned from an older adult in your life?
I’ve learned so much! But the most important – to put God first in all you do.

APA: How long have you lived in Ohio?
I am a lifelong Cincinnatian – born and raised.

APA: Thinking about your professional life, what are you most proud of? I am most proud of building a business that eases transitions in seniors’ lives.

APA: If we were to ask your best friends about you, what would he/she say?
That I try to help people.

APA: Share one thing that may be surprising for others to learn about you.
I once had a gig singing and delivering balloons.

APA: What else would you like to share?
My motto: You get what you give.

The Association of Aging Professionals is honored to have many involved sponsors without whom the APA simply wouldn’t be able to function. Jeff Orth is President and CEO of OMTS, LLC and has supported APA as a platinum sponsor this year. Read on to learn more about Jeff.

APA: Describe what your business provides to the community.

At OMTS, we provide life safety systems and security systems within the older adult living industry.

APA: Please describe your involvement with APA.

We are a platinum sponsor and our Director of Marketing, Cohen Hartmann, is a board member.

APA: How long have you lived in Cincinnati?
My wife of 22 years, Lorie, and I live in Blanchester and have called the Tristate area home for all our lives.

APA: What are you most proud of?
I am most proud of my 23-year service in the Army National Guard as well as our service to the older adults in our community.

APA: If we were to ask your best friends about you, what would he/she say?
They would say that I have a high standard of honesty and integrity.

APA: What, or who, inspires you, and why?
My grandfather was a fantastic inspiration in my life. He built and refinished furniture by hand. He taught me my work ethic.

We don’t have to go far to enjoy the qualities that make each of our members special. Read on to learn more about our July featured member: Amy Antro, Senior Care Advocate at Amada Senior Care.

APA: Describe what your business provides to the community and how you do it.
Amada Senior Care provides services to older adults through in-home care and management of long-term care insurance policies.

APA: How long have you lived in Cincinnati? Where else have you called home?
I have lived in the Cincinnati area since 2008. I am originally from Centerville, Ohio. I studied at The Ohio State University and graduated with a degree in social work with a focus on gerontology. After college, I moved to the Akron area for my first professional position. It was there I met my husband and had two wonderful children.

APA: Thinking of your professional life, what are you most proud of?
I am extremely proud that I have been honored throughout my career to help our aging population and their families throughout difficult situations.

APA: If we were to ask your best friends about you, what would he/she say?
After reading this question, I actually DID ask my dearest friend. And she stated I was steadfast, honest and loyal to summarize it.

APA: What, or who, inspires you, and why?
My father is my greatest inspiration. He grew up with limited means and worked extremely hard to be where he is today. My father overcame many challenges in life, and still remains the most humble individual I have ever known. His love is unwavering.

APA: It’s often said that we can learn a lot from our elders. What’s the most important lesson you learned from an older adult in your life? 
I have learned to talk less, listen more, respect differences and, most importantly, that age is no barrier to friendship or love.