APA News

The APA's newest and youngest board member is Elizabeth Henderson. From the time she was in high school, Elizabeth knew that she wanted to work with seniors. After watching her grandparents go through the aging process, she became passionate about her future field.

Elizabeth is currently a senior at the University of Cincinnati, and is working on her Bachelor's of Social Work degree, as well as her Deaf Studies Certificate. In 2016, Elizabeth began volunteering at Twin Towers, and she now works there as an Activities Specialist.

Q: What do you love most about your job?

A: I love interacting with the residents of Twin Towers, and getting to know them on a personal level.

Q: What do you value most about your membership in the Association for Professionals in Aging?

A: The APA gives me the opportunity to meet new people in different occupations within the aging population.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: Hawaii

Q: What do you like to do when you're not at work?

A: I like to go on walks with my dogs, do puzzles, and go to local breweries.

Q: What is your favorite place to eat?

A: My favorite places to eat would be Wings and Rings or Fuago. When I visit my parents in Dayton, Ohio it would have to be Milano’s Pizza.

Sylvia Dwertman entered the senior care industry as a Marketing Liaison for Visiting Angels Living Assistance Services in 2014 after a 30 year career in air travel.

Visiting Angels is the 2nd largest home health care franchise in the United States, providing in home non-medical care for seniors. Their goal is to help seniors stay in their homes and assist them with the day-to-day activities that we take for granted when we are able and healthy.

Sylvia participated in our Member Q&A. Read her answers below:

Q: What do you like most about Visiting Angels?

A: Mike Schroth, owner, has such a passion for caring for seniors and his dedication to providing services makes me proud to work for him.

Q: What do you enjoy most about the work you do?

A: Representing a company that provides such a valuable service. I enjoy the people I meet and the educational programs I teach.

This past year I became a Certified Laughter Yoga Leader, and, I enjoy taking the gift of laughter to seniors. It’s called laughter yoga because it incorporates the deep breathing of yoga with laughter exercises. Laughter exercises are initiated thru childlike playfulness in a group setting resulting in fake, then real laughter.  Laughter Yoga can help increase the oxygen in your blood, lower your blood pressure, feed positive endorphins to your brain, helps with depression and improves your overall well being. The greatest compliment I can be given is “I feel so much better now!”  There are many known benefits to laughing, that it truly is “the best medicine.”   

Q: What do you enjoy most about your APA Membership?

A: Meeting people and getting to know them. There are so many people working for the seniors trying to provide services that are so valuable to their well being.

Q: What do you like to do when you're not at work?

A: I love to travel, so, I am always planning my next trip.  I spend hours researching destinations in order to select my next adventure.  I also enjoy playing Pet Rescue on my iPad.  I have played it on and off for the past few years, and, I am currently on level 2224. I’ve been stuck on this level for the past month, so if anyone has a tip for completing it, call me!

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?

A: I have been blessed to travel the world! The one place I still want to travel to is Australia.

Q: What the last book you read?

A: Obstruction of Justice by O’Shannessey.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: Work, save, travel, repeat.

Q; What is your favorite local attraction?

The Cincinati Zoo, especially in the spring.

You can learn more about Visiting Angels on their website and connect with Sylvia on LinkedIn.

Betsy founded Queen City Transitions in 2008, a senior move management company specializing in helping elders and their families navigate the numerous challenges they face when confronted with the need to downsize, clear out estates and reclaim hoarded spaces. The organization now has 13 employees. It was the first certified senior move management company in the Greater Cincinnati Area.

Betsy was born and grew up in Cincinnati and went to Walnut Hills High School. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Psychology. She has lived in 8 states: Ohio, California, Michigan, Massachusetts, Virginia, Florida, New Mexico and Kentucky. She moved back to Cincinnati in 2007 and then to Covington, KY in 2010.

Queen City Transitions has been a member of the National Association of Senior Move Managers since 2008 and has reached "Diamond Society" status. They specialize in hoarding clean up & support along with move management and estate dispersal. They are also NASMM At Home certified which helps seniors who wish to "age-in-place."

Betsy took time to participate in our Member Q & A. Check out her answers below:

Q: What do you enjoy most about your work?

A: Queen City Transitions makes a difference in the lives of elders and their families. When a client arrives at their new home after QCT has settled them in, they often say, "I don't know what we would have done without you!" That is such a great feeling! I am very proud of our stellar reputation in the community because the bulk of our referrals are from word-of-mouth referrals.

Q: What do you enjoy most about your APA membership?

A: The APA is a unique organization that combines networking, scholarship, educational and CEU events. I enjoy working with other board members who work with seniors in the Greater Cincinnati area. I think we make a difference!

Q: What do you like to do when you're not at work?

A: I am an avid Cincinnati Reds fan and during the season I go to 50- 60 ballgames. I also love reading, travel, cooking, gardening and especially my family including two granddaughters.

Q: If you could have dinner with one person who would it be?

A: I would love to break bread with Michelle Obama. She is such a fabulous role model and is an inspiration to so many including myself.

Q: If you could have a super power what would it be?

I would love to be able to fly! No more traffic issues for me!

Q: What is your favorite quote, movie, television show, music or band?

A: My favorite quote is "Are you sure?" from my favorite movie My Cousin Vinny.

Q: What are your favorite local places?

A: Great American Ball Park, Krohn Conservatory, Smale Park, and my local three-bridge walk over the Roebling Bridge to the Purple Bridge and the Veteran's Bridge separating Newport from Covington.

Betsy will be the APA President in 2019 and 2020.

You can learn more about Betsy and connect with her on LinkedIn.

Sandra M. Jones Mitchell is a professional advocate for senior citizens. In 1975, Sandra’s first job was preparing hot meals for seniors citizens at Washington Park Elementary School. In 1976-1977, Sandra worked at Cincinnati Veteran’s Administration Hospital assisting the elderly escorting them to their doctors’ appointments within the hospital. In 1986, she worked in an Avondale nursing home as an Activity Coordinator. In 1988 Sandra began her career with Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services, where she continued assisting individuals with developmental disabilities, by helping them stay connected to the community.

In 1993, she co-founded Serving Older Adults through Changing Times (SO-ACT) along with the late Sandra L. Massey. SO-ACT is a 501C-3 non-profit organization created to serve and advocate for older adults for the right to aging in the communities they call home. When SO-ACT was started Avondale had the second largest senior population in Cincinnati. Sandra is a tireless advocate on behalf of our seniors and believes our elders are essential and vital members of our community. On August 26, 2018, SOACT celebrated 26 years of advocating for seniors throughout Hamilton and Butler Counties.

Sandra has also provided and continues to provide consulting services to families, helping them with their aging loved ones. She has helped arranged home care services, transportation and utilities assistance. For several years Sandra has been a part of the American Society on Aging- an organization well connected to aging issues nationally.

Sandra has addressed loneliness and isolation within our aging population and the effects it has on their health. She strongly believes by offering companionship, community activities, building relationships, and encouragement allows the seniors to stay engaged and just might prevent the ongoing spread of these documented major health issues.

The love and passion she has for older adults had a major impact on Sandra attending The College of Mount Saint Joseph to earn a Bachelor Degree in Gerontology in 2003. She will be continuing her education in 2019 towards her Master’s Degree in Gerontology from Miami University. “It is our duty to honor the wisdom of our elders, respect their life experiences and treat them as community gems”.

Sandra joined the Avondale Community Council at age 17, serving as a Trustee for 15 non-consecutive years and currently serves on the Board of Trustees. Sandra has also served on numerous other boards and community volunteer opportunities along with being an active member of the Corinthian Baptist Church since 2000. Sandra has been recognized for numerous awards for her advocacy services throughout the community.

The wife to Robert L. Mitchell, mother to Theodore and grandmother of Nyia and Angel, Sandra will be retiring from Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services in April 2019, after 30 years of services.

Deb Cyprych was the Executive Director for the Hyde Park Center for Older Adults from 1989 to 2018. She led a staff of ten in providing supportive services and engaging activities to enhance the independence and quality of life for older adults in eastern Cincinnati.

Under her leadership, the Center increased revenue; added staff; and expanded its service area from two to seven neighborhoods. While coping with the funding shortages that challenge many senior centers, Hyde Park Center has continued to achieve positive results for thousands of older adults through transportation, meals, case management, and wellness activities.

Deb was active in the APA from 1991 to 2004, when it was still called the Greater Cincinnati Joint Council on Geriatric Care, or GCJCGC. She served on board as Secretary, Co-Chair of Education Committee, and Co-Chair of Advocacy Committee; served on committee for two Tristate White House conferences on aging in 1995 and 2005

In 1993, Deb initiated a six-week genealogy series at the center, and got hooked. The genealogy group is still meeting once a month, and now Deb is starting a new chapter as a full-time professional genealogist.

She lives in an old house in Mount Auburn that needs a lot of work but has a great view. Her daughter and three grandchildren also live in Cincinnati, and she’s looking forward to spending more time with them.

Aimee Steel has worked at Blueridge Vista Health and Wellness since August of 2016, shortly after the hospital opened. She currently serve as the Director of Clinical Services, overseeing all of our social services and therapy staff, programming/therapy services, and discharge planning.

She received her Masters in Social Work with certification in Trauma Informed Care from Northern Kentucky University in May of 2015. She has worked in the field of mental health for over 10 years and have worked specifically in the Geriatric Psychiatry field for two and half years in the acute inpatient setting. She absolutely loves working with people every day in any capacity. She has a passion for mental health, and feels that the geriatric population is a largely underserved subset of the mental health community. Her most favorite part of her role aside from working alongside an amazing team, is being able to identify what drives geriatric patients to success, decreases behaviors and therefore improves their overall quality of life when they leave to go back home.

Blueridge Vista Health and Wellness CEO, Ben Teitelbaum, shared his thoughts on Aimee’s greatest challenge and accomplishment over the last 2 ½ years, “Although Aimee lacked any prior leadership experience, she took on a brand new leadership role 2 1/2 years ago at Blueridge Vista, a brand new freestanding inpatient psychiatric hospital. She has met that challenge head-on, building a reliable, trustworthy, and impactful team of social workers and recreational therapists. In her role as Director of Clinical Services, Aimee has built a top-notch department, become an incredible asset as part of the senior leadership team in the hospital, and been the mainstay for the organization during its formative years. She has significantly improved the lives of hundreds of patients, and blossomed into a true clinical leader along the way.“

Aimee lives in Milan, Indiana with her husband Jeremiah and three children, Brayden, age 9, Ava, age 7, and Madelynn, age 3. As a family they thoroughly enjoy the outdoors and can often be found on the Ohio River fishing.

Born and raised in a small rural community, about 45 minutes east of Cincinnati, Bill DeHass grew up surrounded by corn fields and various livestock farms. His youth, for the most part, was spent exploring fields and wooded areas that went on for miles. His grandmother, who we affectionately called "Mo", lived with his family up until he was 18 years old. After she was diagnosed with Alzheimers Disease she passed rather quickly. Bill learned so much from her in my formative years, but he never forgot the feeling as the disease progressed and she didn't know who he was. She is the reason he took the path he is on now.

Immediately following his graduation from Northern Kentucky University in 2004, he began his social work career working at a small recovery center. At that time he worked with individuals from various age groups. In 2006, he began is career with Clermont Senior Services, Inc. working solely with older adults, and he has never looked back.

Clermont Senior Services is a private, 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to serving older adults. It is a source for information on services for seniors, age 60 and over, who live in Clermont County, Ohio.

For nearly 50 years, Clermont Senior Services has been providing and coordinating in-home and community based services, enabling older adults to live independently for as long as possible. We also serve as an information and referral source for seniors, as well as their families and caregivers.‘Service With Heart’ is the benchmark of our service and our staff exemplify this with their actions each and every day.

Bill says, "In my twelve years at Clermont Senior Services I have crossed paths with hundreds, probably thousands, of older adults and caregivers. Each of them shared their unique stories with me. I have always enjoyed the thought that I made it into their story.

Bill took time to participate in our Member Q & A. Check out his answers to learn more about him below:

Q: What do you enjoy most about being involved in the APA? A: APA is such a fascinating group of professionals, all coming from different organizations and backgrounds within the field of aging. Being involved with APA allows for the sharing of information in an attempt to better the services that are provided to the older adult population. I am also very fond of the Student Scholarship program. As many of us know, the cost of a college degree is on the rise. I love that APA can play a role, albeit small, in helping young professionals, especially those interested in the field of aging.

Q: If you could have dinner with one historical figure (living or not) who would it be and why? A: I don't know if he counts as historical, but I would love to have dinner with Bill Murray. How much fun would that be!?!

Q: If you could have one superpower, what would it be? A: Time travel...because, why wouldn't you want that.

Q: What is your favorite quote, movie, television show, music or band? A: I love all the films of Wes Anderson and I also have a very strong affection for 90s British rock band, Oasis.

Q: What is your favorite local place to go? This could be a restaurant, a park, a museum, any local place you enjoy. A: I would have to pick two favorites. The first is a little Thai restaurant on the East side called Ban Thai. My wife and I have been going there since we were teenagers. As a lover of music, my second favorite place is Everybody's Records in Pleasant Ridge. There is no better therapy than flipping through records.

Bill was the APA President from 2017-2018. He is still an active APA Board Member.

You can learn more about Bill and connect with him on LinkedIn.

Sometimes our paths take us in a direction we aren't anticipating. This is true for Jason Martin, Senior Account Executive at Home Helpers as well as an active APA member and board member.

As he was approaching his graduation from the University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), his father began living in a nursing home and his career interests took a turn.

His first position was an internship at Mercy West Park where he learned the overall operations of a senior living community, from patient-care to marketing. In this position, he was working toward his licensure as a Nursing Home Administrator, LHNA, offered by the Ohio Board of Executives of Long-Term Services and Supports, BELTSS.

While in this role he met his future wife, Kelly, who is also in healthcare. She works in communications and marketing for a local healthcare system. They have two children and live on the east side of Cincinnati. What Jason enjoys most about his work is seeing people overcome challenges related to aging and watching them heal and regain independence.

You can learn more about Jason and connect with him on LinkedIn.

This September, Easterseals will begin it’s Opening Minds Through Art (OMA), an intergenerational art program for people with dementia, founded by Dr. Elizabeth Lokon of Miami University’s Scripps Gerontology Center.

Susan Mordigal, an APA Scholarship winner in 2014, spoke at our August 2018 event. She was a stay-at-home mom for 16 years. As her children became more independent she began pursuing some of her own interests. She has been building the OMA program for Easterseals since early 2017. Susan is very excited because she is able to intertwine many of her passions in this role. She is a Licensed Social Worker with a focus on Health in Aging. Susan also loves art. Her first degree is in Fine Arts from Moore College of Art and Design. She received training at the New York Botanical Garden through their Botanical Art and Illustration courses!

She was so honored to receive the APA Scholarship that she framed it and put it on her wall with her Master Degree from the University of Cincinnati. Susan has seen amazing results from OMA. Her first experience with the program was as a volunteer at Cedar Village Retirement Community in 2014; she then earned her OMA Lead Facilitator certificate through training with Dr. Lokon and her team at Miami University in 2017. The OMA program at Easterseals will officially launch on September 11.

The Benefits of participating in OMA are many; for the artists:

·       self-expression (especially for non-verbal folks)

·       relationship building through 1:1 regular contact

·       community engagement,

·       increased dignity and self-confidence through choice-making.

For the volunteers:

·       increased knowledge of disability and dementia

·       gaining self-confidence through new relationship building with a different population

·       fulfilling service learning or volunteer requirements

Susan says, “Having a high quality, enjoyable, evidence-based program should help increase enrollment in our Adult Day Service (ADS) program, which will mean we can serve even more individuals to further empower them. We are also hoping to increase awareness in the community at large about disability, and that the disability does not define the person-they are a person with many capabilities first.”

Easterseals has already had a couple of new enrollments due to the offering of the OMA program and they are expecting that it will improve satisfaction with overall ADS services. To fund the program, Easterseals applied to several foundations and received a grant from ArtsWave as well as a couple other local sources who wish to remain anonymous. As with most non-profits, there are budget constraints on the program. The more volunteers they have, the more participants they can offer the OMA experience. Volunteers attend 6 hours of training, then 10 2-hour sessions of working with a local senior on an art project. Selected pieces will be on display at the end of session art show in November, open to the general public.

If you are interested in volunteering or know someone who would be interested please reach out to Susan at 513.382.2144 or via email: smordigal@eastersealsgc.org.

Julia Hedges is a native of the tristate area and received her Bachelor’s degree from University of Kentucky. The most influential person in her life was her grandmother, who she watched struggle with Alzheimer’s Disease for 12 years.

At an early age, Julia knew she was meant for a career that made a difference in the lives of seniors. Passionate about advocating for the aging population and providing meaningful opportunities at end-of-life, Julia brings the advantage of having worked on both the independent/assisted living as well as the nursing/rehab sides of long term care. Currently, she serves as Account Executive for Hospice of Cincinnati, serving as an end-of-life resource to local physicians, hospitals, long term care staff, and the community at large.

Julia began her career in the aging field as Director of Resident Programs for Brookdale Senior Living. In this role, she served as a regional mentor and trainer specializing in classes on six dimensional whole person care for the aging adult: purpose, emotion, physical health, social activity, spirituality, and intellect.

In 2010, Brookdale Senior Living began its Wish of a Lifetime initiative to provide a helping hand in making some of the dreams of Brookdale’s residents come true. To request a Wish, residents fill out a Wish application explaining an experience they would like to have fulfilled and how that experience relates to one or more dimensions of Brookdale’s Optimum Life® platform. Optimum Life cultivates whole-person wellness through fulfillment in the six key dimensions. More than 600 Brookdale seniors have had their wish granted. In 2012, Julie was chosen to escort the winner of the Brookdale Wish of A Lifetime to New Orleans, Louisiana to fulfill her wish of visiting her hometown. You can see more of their trip on Flickr.

Julia received her Dementia Practitioner Certification in 2016.

In her spare time, Julia enjoys performing with local community theatre groups, practicing yoga and causing trouble with her 2 year-old daughter, Violet.

You can learn more about Julia and connect with her on LinkedIn.