About Ryan Newman​

Care Manager

About Kathleen Harrigan

Care Manager Assistant/Concierge Companion

About Matthew Mosconi

Care Manager Assistant/Concierge Companion

About James Racona

Care Manager

About Tenzin Jorden, LPN

Care Manager

About Cassandra Bradford, MS, AGNP-BC, RN

Care Manager

About Libby DiStefano, RN

Care Manager

About Ashleigh Doyle

Care Manager/Operations Support

About Alicia Kehoskie, CMC

Senior Care Manager

Alicia Kehoskie is a dedicated Care Manager who takes pride in helping older adults and their families feel supported, understood, and cared for every day. With nearly two decades of experience in social services and long-term care, she is known for her compassionate approach and unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of life for those she serves.

Throughout her career, Alicia has held leadership and case management roles, including serving as Director of Social Work in long-term care facilities and as a Case Manager in assisted living communities. She has led teams, developed individualized care plans, and collaborated closely with residents and families to ensure smooth transitions and personalized support. Her experience has instilled in her a deep appreciation for the power of empathy, communication, and teamwork in creating meaningful care experiences.

Alicia earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Nazareth College of Rochester. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially in the Adirondacks, where she finds relaxation and inspiration in the beauty of the outdoors.

About Amanda Lamen

Community Connection Specialist

Amanda Lamen is a Community Connection Specialist who believes deeply in the power of being seen, heard, and genuinely supported, especially during life’s more complicated or vulnerable seasons. At her core, she’s a people person in the truest sense of the word: grounded in connection, led by intuition, and fueled by meaningful conversation.

She began her career in the aging services field as an Aging Life Care Coordinator and has continued to grow within Aging Advocates of CNY, evolving into her current role. Along the way, Amanda has gained diverse experience across community outreach, marketing, business ownership, and operational support. Across every role, a consistent thread has remained: leading with heart and showing up for people in ways that honor dignity, individuality, and lived experience.

Her work with older adults has been shaped by hands-on experience in companion care, dementia education through Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care, and gerontology training. These experiences deepened her appreciation for the resilience, humor, and wisdom present in later life, and strengthened her dedication to supporting aging adults and their families with compassion and respect.

In addition to her professional care background, Amanda continues to expand her practice in holistic and integrative modalities. She is a Reiki Level I & II practitioner, certified Shamanic Practitioner, and sound healing practitioner, working with crystal alchemy bowls, chimes, tuning forks, and other vibrational tools. Her growing focus is supporting individuals through emotional transitions, stress, and end-of-life journeys using these complementary practices, while also supporting personal growth and helping individuals cultivate greater balance, grounding, and energetic well-being while always guided by sensitivity, respect, and a deep honoring of each person’s beliefs, values, and comfort.

Outside of her professional life, Amanda finds joy in music, nature, coffee-fueled walks, and exploring antique shops. She values balance, grounding practices, time with loved ones, and continued personal growth through both traditional and holistic learning. At the center of everything she does is a simple intention: to help people feel more connected, more supported, and more at peace in their experience of life.

About Susan Jennejahn

Concierge Companion & Care Manager Assistant

Susan, a graduate of Niagara University, built a foundation in the health insurance field over eight years. Later, she dedicated her time to raising her two children, now grown, while also actively volunteering in several capacities. A key part of Susan’s volunteer work involved leading the Family Readiness Group for her husband’s Army unit, where she supported 150 families through multiple deployments. Her commitment to community also included thirteen years as an adult leader and planning committee member with her son’s Boy Scout troop. Additionally, volunteering at the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center and assisting seniors with transportation needs provided her with firsthand insight into the significant need for senior support in the community.

As her children grew older, Susan’s parents began to require more healthcare assistance. Initially, their needs were minimal, but her mother’s medical and personal care requirements quickly became overwhelming for them to manage independently, leading Susan to take over her care. Responsibilities such as driving to appointments, managing medications, understanding healthcare providers’ directions, maintaining the household, and ensuring they had nutritious meals had become significant challenges.

Assisting her parents in their increasing healthcare needs opened Susan’s eyes to the complexities of elderly care. This experience was instrumental in her learning about the challenges faced by other families and in acquiring knowledge of crucial resources such as Medicare benefits, legal documents, supportive organizations, and government programs.

Aging Advocates’ comprehensive support for families aligns perfectly with the needs Susan identified through her own experiences. She is now grateful for the opportunity to share her knowledge and assist other families through their services.

When not working, Susan enjoys gardening, cooking, adventures with her husband, and spending time with family and friends.

About Bernadette Tripp

Director of Companion Management

Bernadette joined Senior Home Care Solutions in 2012. She is a Dementia Care Training
Specialist, schooled under Teepa Snow, the world’s renowned leading advocate in dementia care and the creator of the Positive Approach to CareTM.

Bernadette worked as an underwriter and claims adjuster for a personal lines insurance
company where she trained new employees for these roles.

In her free time, she enjoys being with her family, being outdoors and running trails with her friends.

About Kristie Phinney

Employee Relations and Finance Coordinator

Kristie is a mom of three girls. She started working with the elderly as a Beautician in a
nursing home. She was also a part-time caregiver for her grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer’s disease.

In her spare time, Kristie loves baking, crafting, fishing and walking her dog.

About Kelly

PAC Trainer

Kelly joined the Senior Home Care Solutions team in 2019. She has a master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology with 25 years experience in communication disorders. Her passion comes from caring for her ailing mother who recently passed of Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia. She is a certified PAC trainer and a certified Consultant who trains healthcare professionals and consults with families. She is on the planning committee for the annual Living With Dementia CNY conference.

About Sheila Ohstrom

Consultant

She is the previous owner of Senior Home Care Solutions, prior to the acquisition in 2025. Sheila opened Senior Home Care & Alzheimer’s Solutions in 2010 after having her own experiences with friends and family needing care. These experiences gave her the desire to find qualified people to help keep loved ones in their own homes for as long as possible.

Sheila is a graduate of Alfred University (’91) and has a wide variety of experience in various industries that makes her a truly unique provider.

She is involved in the Fayetteville Senior Center, Manlius Senior Center, Fayetteville-Manlius Chambers and WBOC (Women Business Opportunities Connection). She has experience teaching, care-giving, fundraising and is involved in her church.

Sheila is the co-founder and president of “Living With Dementia” CNY.

About Juana Raneiri

Care Manager Assistant/Concierge Companion

Juana Raneiri brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as an aging life care manager. A graduate of Oneonta State University with a degree in Sociology and additional coursework in Social Work, Juana has dedicated her entire career to improving the lives of seniors. Her work has spanned decades as an Executive Director in Assisted Living, Independent Living, and Memory Care communities, earning her recognition as the NY Empire State Association of Adult Homes Administrator of the Year.

Juana is a Certified Adult Home Administrator and an Assisted Living Administrator licensed to work in Maryland, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Queensbury, NY. As a Senior Executive Director and Executive Director Specialist, she has worked tirelessly to turn around struggling communities, ensuring residents receive the highest standard of care. Most recently, Juana served as the Resident Program Manager at Brookdale Summerfield, where she enriched residents’ lives through engaging programming.

Juana played a pivotal role in history of Aging Advocates, by hiring Melissa Murphy, founder and CEO, for her first role working with seniors. Juana has also worked with other members of the team; Jennifer Hoffmier, Executive Director, and Amberly Reinertsen, Director of Care Management, making this a uniquely strong team dynamic.

Outside of her professional life, Juana is a proud mother of twin girls and grandmother to two boys. She shares her home with her beloved Maltipoo, Cooper, and enjoys reading, dancing, and spending time at the beach. Her commitment to the well-being of seniors and her dedication to family make her an inspiring and invaluable addition to the team.

About Clifford “Skip” R. Collins​

Outreach Specialist

Skip was born and raised in Central New York! He is a graduate of the Cicero-North Syracuse Central School District and the Central City Business Institute. Skip has over 30 years of experience in senior healthcare and housing. Prior to joining Aging Advocates CNY, he worked with Hearth Management as their Marketing and Outreach Specialist. In this role, he coordinated efforts with medical professionals, social workers, and community agencies to ensure his senior clients received the skilled care they needed. 

His experience includes working closely with families as they transition their loved ones into senior care. Skip finds it deeply gratifying to guide families through the process of securing the skilled care their loved ones need while ensuring it aligns with their desired level of care. 

Skip has extensive expertise in supporting clients affected by dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. He initiated the first program connecting medical students with The Hearth, providing them the opportunity to learn the intricacies of elder care under Skip’s supervision, in collaboration with the University Geriatricians through Upstate Medical Center. Skip is committed to ensuring families and clients receive personalized care and healthcare options tailored to their specific needs. He is certified in Care Connect for Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Training. 

In 2019, Skip was recognized as the National Hero for the Assisted Living Communities of America, an honor awarded for his excellence in leadership and advocacy for senior care. 

When Skip is not assisting seniors and their loved ones in navigating healthcare options, he enjoys spending time with his husband, traveling, and cooking. He is also the proud dog dad to three (yes, THREE!) active dogs. 

About Jen Hoffmier

Executive Director

Jennifer Hoffmier is a seasoned Senior Living professional with over 25 years of experience in providing compassionate care, leadership, and strategic oversight in senior housing. Currently serving as Executive Director at Aging Advocates CNY, Jennifer specializes in creating safe, vibrant, and nurturing environments for older adults, ensuring that their physical, emotional, and social needs are met with respect and dignity.

With a background in senior housing, administration, and operations, Jennifer is passionate about improving the quality of life for seniors through personalized care plans, community-building activities, and a commitment to overall wellness. She has a proven track record in managing and expanding senior living communities, including independent living, assisted living, and enhanced assisted living.

In addition to overseeing day-to-day operations, Jennifer is skilled in team leadership, staff training, budgeting, and developing partnerships with healthcare providers, families, and local organizations. She is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and empathetic culture within the workplace and ensuring that families feel confident in the care their loved ones receive.

Jennifer holds a certification in geriatric care and is an active member of Community Living Advocates, and the Empire State Association of Assisted Living. She frequently participates in conferences, workshops, and continuing education to stay at the forefront of best practices in senior care.

Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys reading, vacationing with family/friends, chasing sunsets and a newfound interest in gardening. Jennifer is committed to supporting initiatives that promote aging with dignity and independence.

About Pam Weigl

Concierge Companion & Assistant Aging Life Care Manager

E-mail: pam@agingadvocatescny.com

Pam Weigl has 30+ years of experience in the Wellness/Fitness Industry, specifically in the area of management, personal training, and group instruction.  She has worked with people of all ages and abilities in Wellness/Fitness Centers and Senior facilities.
Additionally, she has performed countless fitness assessments, biometric screenings, and dietary analysis.

Her personal training certification is through NASM (National Academy Sports Medicine) and she also holds a certification in Cholestech-biometric screenings, blood pressure, and CPR/AED.

She believes regular exercise can help older adults stay independent and prevent many health problems.

It’s never too late to get started!

About Christina Bosworth

Aging Life Care Manager

Christina was born and raised in the Mohawk Valley. She received her RN license in 2009 and has continued to serve the greater-Utica community for all of this time. Much of her career she worked within the hospital system, caring for the acute and chronically ill adult populations.

Christina had a desire to shift from a sick-care health model and focus on supporting others in creating their most well-life; empowering individuals to define what health and wellness looks like, create goals for their life, and support them in an active plan to achieve their most optimal health. She is a Board Certified Nurse Coach and believes that health involves a whole-person, experiential approach; taking special attention to the mind-body-spirit interconnection.

In addition to her private coaching practice, Christina serves her county as an Assistant Forensics Death Investigator. She enjoys speaking to nurses and nursing students about infusing more holism in their nursing practice. Christina continues to live in the Mohawk Valley with her husband and four young children who keep her active and creative.

About Kari Duerr

Registered Nurse

Kari is a registered nurse with a BSN from SUNY Plattsburgh. She brings many years of experience in home care and is a huge advocate of aging in place when possible.

Kari is from Syracuse, has 5 children, married to a police officer and has a huge heart.

About Amy Mack

Clinical Social Work/Therapist, LCSW, RPT

Amy is a trauma responsive therapist, whose approach is grounded in understanding the science of connection and that the brain has the capacity to change and heal. She understands that the process of internalizing someone who is safe, connected, and coregulated, leads to growth in regulation. Her goal is to create a therapeutic relationship and environment in which goodness and worth are reflected.

About Stefanie Heath

Aging Consultant

E-mail: stefanie@agingadvocatescny.com

Stefanie was born and raised in central NY. She graduated from Liverpool High School and went on to earn her BA in Psychology and MS in Therapeutic Recreation. As a young adult, Stefanie discovered her passion for community service. She volunteered for several organizations including Vera House and on the pediatric unit at Upstate Hospital. Soon after graduating from SUNY Cortland, Stefanie began working for The Salvation Army where she provided family therapy to teenagers and their caregivers.

Stefanie was always drawn to working with the older adult population, so when a recreation director position became available at a CNY skilled nursing care facility, she jumped at the opportunity. For six years, Stefanie led a team delivering therapeutic programming for individuals in long-term care, as well as patients requiring rehabilitative services.

Stefanie believes in the power of connecting with each client on an individual level, and that each person should be treated with dignity and compassion. She is trained in Dementia Capable Care and Teepa Snow’s “Positive Approach to Care.”

In her spare time, Stefanie enjoys spending leisure time with her family. You can find Stefanie and her family hiking in the Adirondacks or traveling throughout the country any chance she gets. Her other passion is helping animals. Stefanie has spent over a decade volunteering in animal shelters and providing community education on a variety of animal welfare topics. She currently lives in Fayetteville with her husband, two boys, and a dog named Boulder.

About Becky Olson

Concierge Companion

Becky Olson brings a unique perspective to her role as an aging life care professional. While growing up, she helped care for her great aunt who was disabled from polio and later in life was the primary caregiver to her mother for 7 years. Her mom suffered from many medical issues and needed regular dialysis (an area of interest to Becky). She worked diligently to keep her mom living home with her but ultimately had to go through the process of placing her in long-term care. She understands first-hand the stress, frustration, and feeling like there is no one to help navigate through this journey. She wishes there had been an agency like Aging Advocates when caring for her mother, to help find resources and support in the community.

Becky has a fierce sense of humor and many hobbies including paddle boarding and swimming in Oneida Lake, long walks with her dog, and reading biographies.

About Rachel Mondo, CDP

Care Manager

Rachel has 17 years of experience caring for elders privately in their homes. She has worked with a wide spectrum of different levels of care over the years evolving from companion care, spinal cord injuries, dementia /Alzheimer’s, palliative care, hospice and end of life care.

Rachel is certified in Teepa Snow’s, “Positive Approach to Care” and holds a Personal Care Certification from the Institute for Professional Care Education.

“I was also a primary caretaker for my own father for 8 years who had Parkinson’s Disease. I have a strong understanding based on my own personal experience the endless time and specifics that are involved in caring for a loved one. I learned a lot through my own personal experiences, there is a need for high level elder care in our community. I am passionate about making a difference in assisting elders no matter what their current circumstances are.

I am committed to providing personalized care to ensure a loving and gentle experience.  I feel our elders deserve compassion, respect, and dignity as they transition through the different stages they endure. I enjoy engaging both professionally and personally with clients their families, to foster a genuine connection to support diverse needs and provide the highest level of care with empathy and patience.”

Rachel was born and raised in Central New York. She graduated from West Genesee high school and holds and associates degree in Criminal Justice from Onondaga Community College. She also attended Syracuse University to pursue BA in Child  and Family studies .

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her son attending live concerts and traveling.

About Todd Savage, RN

Care Manager

Todd Savage, a Registered Professional Nurse, is an experienced and proven leader with the ability to understand and prioritize patient needs at all levels of care and settings. Todd brings a wealth of knowledge from over 30 years of healthcare experience to serve our clients and families as a care manager with compassion, empathy, and professionalism.

Prior to Aging Advocates CNY, Todd was a Health and Wellness Director with Brookdale Senior Living, having returned to the clinical setting after spending 25 years in the health insurance industry as a managed care professional. He began his healthcare career as a direct caregiver and quickly became a clinical leader in long-term and post-acute care settings. Throughout his career, Todd has had a particular interest in dementia care and developed his competencies through extensive experience working with patients, caregivers, and provider networks.

Todd’s personal experience as a family caregiver has significantly informed his approach to person-centered care. As a teenager, he helped care for his grandmother, who lived with dementia. And more recently, for several years Todd coordinated and managed care for his elderly in-laws, ultimately leaving his job to be his father-in law’s primary caregiver during the last year of his life. While he had gained valuable experience throughout his career in navigating the healthcare system from a provider and payer perspective, this experience gave him a firsthand view of the challenges faced by patients and families. And it re-ignited his passion for helping others by focusing on their caregiving journeys.

Todd was born and raised in the Southern Tier of New York and received his Nursing degree from the State University of New York. He and his family moved to Central New York in 2016, and he enjoys spending time with his family on their “homestead” in Skaneateles.

About Kristin Matthys, PT, CAPS, PAC

Physical Therapist – Home Safety & Fall Prevention Specialist

About Malory Drager

Advocate

Malory Drager is a dedicated Operations Coordinator and Assistant Care Manager. She is certified in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care which she utilizes when working with many clients affected by dementia.

She has a passion for people, a knack for organization, and contagious energy. With a background spanning over 15 years in photography, specializing in capturing the beauty of weddings and family moments, Malory brings a unique perspective to her role. Her love for learning and easy-going demeanor makes her a natural at connecting with others, whether it’s clients, colleagues, or those she cares for.

Malory finds fulfillment in working with aging individuals, drawing from her experience caring for her own grandmother and great aunt. This hands-on involvement has instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility and compassion, qualities that shine through in her interactions with others.

Detail-oriented and organized, Malory excels in managing schedules, coordinating events, and ensuring smooth operations in her role as an executive assistant. Her outgoing nature and hard-working ethic make her a valuable asset to the team, always ready to take on new challenges and deliver results.

When Malory isn’t working, she spends time with her three children and husband. She loves to travel, especially to Disney.

About Amberly Reinertsen,

Director of Care Management Services

Amberly Reinertsen brings 20 years of experience in the aging field, with expertise in Housing, Community Relations, Mental Health, Care Management, and Dementia Care. She is also certified in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Care dementia training. Throughout her career, Amberly has worked closely with elders, families, medical professionals, and legal advocates to facilitate appropriate placement and support.

Prior to joining Aging Advocates CNY, Amberly served as the Admissions and Community Relations Director at both Loretto Healthcare and Emeritus Senior Living. Her in-depth knowledge of senior housing communities and the various levels of care available ensures that older adults can remain in their preferred environments.

Amberly is a fierce advocate for her clients, acting as a problem solver to ensure they receive the highest quality of care and support. She understands the emotional complexities of decision-making for elderly family members and is dedicated to providing person-centered care that meets each individual’s unique needs.

Amberly’s compassion for older adults, professional experience, and resourcefulness make her an invaluable advocate for families navigating the human services and healthcare systems. She offers professional guidance during what are often challenging and emotional situations.

Born and raised in Central New York, Amberly graduated from Oneida High School and attended nursing school at OCM BOCES. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration. In her free time, she enjoys attending her children’s various sporting events, traveling, spending time with her husband, and caring for their three dogs. She is also a passionate advocate for homeless dogs.

About Kimberlee Peterson, CDP

Director of Business Development

Kimberlee is a native to the Syracuse area. She graduated from Liverpool High School and went on to receive her bachelor’s in Education at SUNY Oswego. Prior to working at Aging Advocates, CNY she worked with Brookdale Senior Living and Hearth Senior Living as the Admissions and Community Relations Director in varying levels of care. She found a passion working with those effected by dementia/Alzheimer’s and spent the majority of her six years while in the senior living environment focused on memory care communities. She is proficient in navigating the medical office environment and applies her knowledge by helping others.

Kimberlee is a proud member of the Aging Life Care Association and certified in Teepa Snow’s Positive Approach to Dementia Care.

Kimberlee feels great reward in helping seniors and their loved ones with overcoming the challenges that they face and helping them find their solutions. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her husband and three children, baking, and has recently started to learn about gardening.