APA News

Current APA (and Board) member Tiffany Santos is with Otterbein Senior Life, where she is a Healthcare Navigator. Here is a little more about Tiffany.

Tell us about what you do and how you help the community.
I am the Healthcare Navigator for Otterbein SeniorLife. We offer skilled and long-term care in a unique small house setting. We have locations in Springboro, Middletown, Lebanon, Maineville, Loveland, and Union Township. My role is to work with the hospitals and the community to help navigate all referrals. I love to be able to market our small house concept and educate providers and families on a different type of skilled nursing facility.

Tell us about your work career. How long have you been involved? What brought you into this work? What do you love most?
I have worked in SNF’s for the last 5 years. I have always had an interest in health care, but hate the sight of blood and am a fainter. I searched for many years for my path and a way to assist and actually fell into a role in a SNF admissions role and the passion grew from that day forward. Over the years I was able to advance from an internal role to an external marketing role and love to be able to educate the community on what Otterbein has to offer. 

If you could travel anywhere in the world where would it be?
I would love to visit the Maldives.

Tell us about yourself and family.
I am originally from The Plains, OH and moved to Cincinnati in 2012. I have been married to my husband Shane for 7 years, I am a bonus mom to his 3 wonderful daughters ages 20, 17, and 12 and also a fur-mama to a 13 year old mutt and 4 year old English bulldog.  Our 12 year old plays travel softball, so most of my time is spent at the ball park,  I also enjoy working out and have a guilty pleasure of watching any reality TV show. 

What is your go-to restaurant?
Pretty much any pizza place will satisfy me.

What do I enjoy about being a member of APA?
I love the connections it has allowed me to make, and to know I am surrounded by amazing people who all share the same passions it just a great feeling.  

What do I do when I am not working?
If I am not working you will find me at the gym or softball fields, or I will more than likely be relaxing on my couch!! 

Our second quarterly newsletter is hot off the presses!

Catch up on events happening this fall, as well as announcements and articles submitted by your fellow
APA members.  

Click on the image to read the full newsletter.

The New Year edition in will be sent in January. If you want to submit an article for consideration or let us know of any newsworthy events, contact Mary Mendel at Mary@familybridges.com or Rob Jutze at rjutze@seniorimpact.com.

Majestic Care of Cedar Village is proud to be a Platinum Level Sponsor of the Association for Professionals in Aging. Mindy Ellis is the Director of Marketing and more than 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, devoting the last seven years to our beloved seniors in the community.

In addition, she has founded numerous organizations and boards such as the Visionary of Voices and Impact 100. To Mindy, her job is not just a job, it's her passion. Many years ago, she found herself navigating a search for a senior living community for her parents and now finds her joy by guiding and supporting families through their own transition. 

"Cedar Village’s focus is not only on enriching the lives of those we are honored to care for, but also on fulfillment of each Care Team member," said Mindy. "It is the heart and dedication of these Care Team members that creates the Majestic difference."

The community is established in providing unique features for each service line. Together, we develop a personalized treatment plan for each resident to help reclaim or maintain independence. We provide compassion, understanding, and respect in a warm and secure environment.

As part of the Majestic Difference, we are committed to providing person-centered care to residents, families, and Care Team Members. We feel privileged to provide care to our residents and are thankful to be a part of our journey.

If you or someone you know could benefit from living in a senior community, please reach out to Mindy Ellis at 513-635-2847.

Long-time APA member Rachel Hodesh is owner of Senior LifeCare Consultants. She has been serving Greater Cincinnati and Dayton since 1997.

Tell us about your what you do and how you help the community.

I am a Life Care Manager and owner of Senior LifeCare Consultants. We are a guide and advocate for seniors and their loved ones. Our role is to support and educate, providing care management to clients and their families. This may be through referrals, support with home care or during a doctor’s visit. We assist the community by supporting the senior, assisting to keeping them safe and providing them with referrals linking them to other professionals in the community. 

Tell us about your work career. How long have you been involved? What brought you into this line of work? What do you love most?

I am a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with a Master’s in Health and Human Services Administration. I began my career in the activities department at Glen Manor in Bond Hill (I was a senior in high school). Since then, I have worked in Group Homes, Food Pantries, Housing, Adult Day, Home Health, Retirement Communities and now as a Life Care Manager. I miss the days of walking the halls, holding a hand, and singing with residents. I miss working late, running the “laundry machines” or “washing dishes.” Those were the moments when you felt like you made a difference.  

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go if money was no object?

Venice, Italy or Capri (Gulf of Naples).

What is your biggest inspiration in life or in your job? What do you enjoy most about your work?

My inspiration is to serve older adults by improving their overall quality of life. I enjoy the small meaningful conversations and impacts I have with working with my clients.

Tell us about yourself and family (kids, pets, other involvement in the community):

I have two sons: Noah is 18 and Aaron is 16. Noah will be starting at UC in the Fall and Aaron is a Junior at Sycamore. I have a partner of three years, Joey, and he has three kids (18, 16 and 15) so we are quite the spectacle when we go out! We “share” a dog – he has the cat (I am allergic). My family and I are very close which is great for my sons.

I am the VP of Development for the Wyoming School Foundation, active with 55 North on their Marketing and Soiree Committee. Most recently I have become involved with SAAG (Cincinnati Senior Advocacy Action Group) which has been great!

Where is your “go-to” restaurant in Cincinnati?

That is tough. When I lived in Wyoming we would go to Tela. Since I moved to Pleasant Ridge, I am learning new spots. If I had to choose a “place to meet” most people know I love First Watch – there is something for everyone. 

What do you enjoy most about being involved with the APA?

Learning from my colleagues.  The vast experience of professionals in this group is astounding, so the monthly events are something I always enjoy attending. 

What do you enjoy doing when not working?

Working on my new home, taking walks in the neighborhood and spending time with my nieces.

What is the last book you read?

Anna The Biography by Amy Odell. 

Zaire Sims is with Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Greater Cincinnati. She is also a current APA Board member and a past recipient of our annual scholarship! Here's a little more about Zaire.

Tell us about your what you do and how you help the community.

I am currently a service coordinator with Meals on Wheels of Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky. I am a direct contact for older adults in low-income housing. I provide educational, health, and social programs to the residents. I also assist with referrals to community resources and benefit comprehension as needed.

Tell us about your work career. How long have you been involved? What brought you into this line of work? What do you love most?

I am Licensed Master Social Worker. I graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 2020 with a Master's Degree in Social Work and from The Ohio State University in 2017 with a Bachelors of Sciences in Social Work. I have 5 years of experience in the social work field ranging from outpatient and inpatient mental health, and service to older adults. I have had adversity while growing up and learned the importance of helping others. I enjoy being an advocate for older adults and their needs. 

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go if money was no object?

I would love to backpack across Europe.

What is your biggest inspiration in life or in your job? What do you enjoy most about your work?

My inspiration is to serve older adults by improving their overall quality of life. I enjoy the small meaningful conversations and impacts I have with working with my residents.

Tell us about yourself and family (kids, pets, other involvement in the community):

I am a fur-mama. I have two cats, Fari and Zoe and a dog, Coco. I am an inaugural ASA Rise Fellow Graduate. 

Where is your “go-to” restaurant in Cincinnati?

I hate to add fuel to the Cincinnati Chili debate, but my significant other has converted to root for the Skyline side. We eat skyline every Friday.

What do you enjoy most about being involved with the APA?

I enjoyed the community APA has. It is nice to be around professionals who share a similar passion for advocating for older adults. I love how APA supports students who are interested in the field of aging.

What do you enjoy doing when not working?

Definitely, sleeping in my hammock or flowing down a river in a kayak.

What is the last book you read?

Becoming by Michelle Obama.

Long-time APA (and Board) member Yvonne Scheiderer is a Realtor with Huff Realty. She is a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES), and has been serving Greater Cincinnati residents since 1998.

Tell us a little about your work and career:
I've been a licensed Realtor since 1998. Prior to that I was the administrator of a Substance Abuse Prevention Program that served adults whose children were enrolled in the Head Start Program. I was later the recipient of an award presented by former Governor George Voinovich for my work in launching the "Getting A Head Start Against Drugs" initiative. Later that same year I bought my first home and was immediately intrigued by the real estate profession.

What do you love most about your job? 
The people I meet (literally from all over the world), identifying a need and working toward the solution, the satisfaction in being part of a truly life changing process, the many friendships I've made over the years!

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go if money was no object?
I would go to Australia and to New Zealand.  So far, I've visited all 50 states, as well as 14 foreign countries. In 2018 I traveled to Italy (Florence, Vatican City, Rome, and Venice) all by myself!

What is your biggest inspiration in life or in your job?
I'm a helper. I learned that from my mother, but I didn't realize the impact she made on my career until after she passed away at age 57. She had been an activities director in a nursing home (that's what they were called back then) when I was little and she absolutely adored the blessing of spending time listening and learning, and enhancing the quality of life for those she served. When she couldn't find a guest speaker or entertainer, she'd wake my dad (who worked the night shift) and have him bring his guitar to her community, and he'd sing and play music (quite often)!  She loved making a difference and lightening their spirits.

Tell us about yourself and family (kids, pets, other involvement in the community):  
My son just graduated with honors from Ohio University with a Bachelors in Business Administration. He started his career as a data analyst just a few days later. I also have a daughter and a son-in-love. They met at (THE) Ohio State University in 2008 and will celebrate their 7-year wedding anniversary in June. She works for a healthcare advertising agency and her husband is in risk management with a major bank. Everyone currently lives locally (and I love that so much). I have an 18-pound poodle named Bella and an 85-pound Bernese/Australian Shepherd mix named Elvis. 

I am in my 6^th year with the APA.  I also hold a designation as an SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist) and a designation as an ABR (Accredited Buyer Representative). Last month I completed Fair Housing Officer Training.  I served on the Realtor/Lawyer Forum through the Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors until 2020.  I've also had the great fortune of receiving multiple sales awards over the years. I previously spent time on the air at Cincinnati Association For The Blind and Visually impaired. 

What is your "go-to" restaurant in Cincinnati?
I'm always up for trying new restaurants, but my favorite food is Mediterranean.  My favorite drink is coffee....I mean I seriously love good coffee!

What do you enjoy most about being involved with the APA?
I have met some of the most incredible people with the most loving hearts through the APA! I love watching people tirelessly working together for one common goal. For the past several years, I've been on the committee that chooses the APA educational scholarships, and year after year I'm in awe of the applications we receive. It's so difficult to choose who receives the scholarship money because there are so, so many heaven sent angels among us! The people I meet through APA are definitely what I enjoy most about APA!

What do you enjoy doing when not working?
I started running a few years ago and before I knew it was running half marathons. I have a big birthday this Fall and I'm making plans to complete a full marathon....we'll see how that goes. I'm a season ticket holder at The Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park. I come from a family of 5 active daughters (and a boatload of relatives), so there's rarely a dull moment.

What is the last book you read?  
My bible from cover to cover (it took me almost two years)!

Earlene Dula is Co-owner of Transitions Care Concierge. Her business specializes in assisting the aging and disabled population with downsizing, decluttering and transitioning to senior care living.

Tell us a little about your work and career:
My background is in social services, organizational leadership. My love for those categorized as our most vulnerable population has always been the driving force behind my career choices. I was compelled to start Transitions Care Concierge along with business partner after losing my mom to Alzheimer’s. My family and I were left to manage her property, personal items and much more with little to no help. Transitions Care Concierge is a business you call before the loss and after. We cater our services to the needs of our clients.   

What do you love most about your job? 
What I enjoy the most and what keeps me pushing to become more and more involved with aging community and their families is the joy we receive from helping those in need during a challenging and often overwhelming time. We love easing the burden of families and loved ones through support and hands on services.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go if money was no object?
Australia – I want to visit the Outback!

What is your biggest inspiration in life or in your job? 
My biggest inspiration in life is my desire to do something meaningful to impact the lives of others in a positive way. Transitions Care Concierge allows me to do both of those things and that feeds my joy.

Tell us about yourself and family (kids, pets, other involvement in the community):  
I have a son whom I am very proud of and who makes me laugh almost daily, I have a business partner who shares my passion for our business and pushes me to think beyond the now. I have a cat, who followed me home one day and never left, and a dog who is wonderful.

I am member of the Alzheimer’s Diversity Council, and a CPR Instructor for the American Heart Association. These committees allow me to interact with various people on different levels in our community.

What is your "go-to" restaurant in Cincinnati?
I don’t really have one, I prefer to cook at home. I cook with love and I’ve found that my food is a reflection of me and what I want to put out in the world (something good that entices all the senses) and brings people together.

What do you enjoy most about being involved with the APA?
I enjoy being a part of an organization whose sole purpose is to bring together like minded people for the betterment and enrichment of others. I can feel the sincerity with this organization and that fuels me to continue being involved and seeking to help as much as I can and wherever I can. I appreciate their passion for educating others in the community. What I know is those with a desire to educate others must first educate themselves and this is an organization that I want to be a part of.  

What do you enjoy doing when not working?
I enjoy binge watching TV series; especially those that allow me for a short time to shut my brain down and decompress. I enjoy reading for the same reason.

What is the last book you read?  
It’s Not All Downhill from Here: A Novel by Terry McMillan

Purposeful Planning Program
Kristin Cooley, LISW-S, LCSW
Clinical Social Worker

 As the visionary behind the Purposeful Planning Program, Kristin Cooley leaned into serving those in need. Kristin forged partnerships and opportunities that enabled her to launch her private practice in 2020. 

The Purposeful Planning Program provides a much-needed free service to our community through their support from the Giving Voice Foundation and Alois Foundation. It not only helps to connect people with helpful resources and provides a written action plan, but also provides support service and continues on in a therapy role if needed.  Dozens of patients recount the positive experience and how lost they had felt before connecting with this program and how lost they had felt before connecting with the program. 

Kristin's ability to understand the issues, communicate effectively and compassionately, and provide valuable education to the families and loved ones, is the driving force of the program's success.  Thanks to The Giving Voice and its financial support of the program, Kristin is able to offer services free of charge to the families. This program fills a major void in the care of those with cognitive impairment and can serve as a template for wider application into our community.  The need for it, unfortunately, will continue to grow for years to come.

Lisa Titus
Elder Care Coordinator
The Law Practice of Dennison Keller, LLC

Lisa has spent her 40 year career in the field of aging.  Her varied and wide-reaching career began as a candy-striper.  After obtaining her Master of Education in Counseling from the University of Louisville, her roles included Director of Social Services at various long-term care facilities, Executive Director for dementia-specific assisted living facilities, and the Education Coordinator for the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association.

For the past several years, Lisa has been an Elder Care Coordinator with The Law Practice of Dennison Keller.  Lisa's expertise in dementia care has been a tremendous asset when dealing with family members of those suffering from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.  

Lisa was also a mentor for co-workers and a trusted source for quality information. Her kind, caring approach has helped numerous residents, clients and fellow colleagues throughout her career.

Effective December 31, 2021, Lisa retired.  Her knowledge and expertise will be missed, and we wish her nothing but a most fulfilling retirement!

Diane Linn
Wellness Director
StoryPoint Senior Living

Diane represents the best ideals of the nursing institution and had has dedicated her life to serve the senior population and has a special place in heart for caring for residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Diane started her career in 1975 as a Certified Nurses Aid, and completed her degree in Licensed Practical Nursing at Miami University The over achiever that she is, she completed her degree in 12 months instead of 18 months in 1984. 

Diane is now at StoryPoint and again surrounds herself with quality nurses that have followed her because of her servant leadership style and overall advocacy for the residents. She asked if she could have the office in the Memory Care Unit because they are her light, happiness, and they are the most vulnerable population.

Diane has seen many changes in the nursing industry and has never wavered from her core values of placing the residents needs first.  She exemplifies every attribute for the outstanding Leader in the field of aging. Diane has dedicated her life to helping others rather it be the residents, staff or her family friends. She has touched the lives of so many and I am proud to nominate her for this recognition award.