Our philosophy is to provide the right service and needed support to maintain the independence, health, and safety of the senior and wellbeing of the whole family system.
Life Changes provides professional geriatric care management; the process of planning and coordinating the care of the elderly to improve their quality of life and maintain their independence for as long as possible. Aging adults, especially those suffering from illness, disability, or dementia, need special care that closely monitors their health and enhances their wellbeing. We work with families around the country (and sometime outside the country) to assess, select, and manage the specific needs of our elders. Life Changes offers you the professional help you need as family members and caregivers to manage and support the needs of those you love.
Dee Childers, founder, and Aging Life Care Manager®, is a certified care manager (CMC), received her BS in Psychology and a MS in Marriage and Family Therapy. She started Life Changes in 2012. Dee comes to this profession with 30 years in corporate America as a Human Resources Executive with extensive experience in interpersonal dynamics, crisis management, conflict resolution, mediation, benefits, and health and safety.
Previously, she worked for six years in several non-profits and private practice as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been a family caregiver for over ten years. She personally understands the demands and emotional turmoil of caregiving and the tolls it takes on you, your aging loved one and the family. She has been a court ordered Guardian and Conservator, with experience with the legal and medical systems. She is a certified Elder Mediator and volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Dee is the Vice President of LEARN Idaho, has served on the board of Idaho Guardians and Fiduciary Association for seven years, as President for 2018 & 2019. She served on the board for Friend in Action, a non-profit providing respite caregiving, and JAVA, the Justice Alliance for Vulnerable Adults. She is a member of the professional association, Aging Life Care Association®.
Brooke Reché is a Sr Care Manager and Certified Dementia Care Partner. Brooke started with Life Changes in 2017. She has over twenty years’ experience as a project manager, fifteen years as an entrepreneur of a technology company, seven years as a family care giver, and twenty years as a devoted mother. Brooke has exceptional skills assessing the needs and concerns of our clients and developing plans of care that align with the clients’ goals. She utilizes her exceptional relationship skills, project management and technology experience to advance the objectives of her clients and Life Changes. She is compassionate and committed to those that she serves. Brooke enjoys spending her free time adventuring outdoors with her children.
Teresa Johnson joins Life Changes as a Care Manager mid-2024 with 30 years in relevant senior care positions. Teresa is a master trainer in the Best FriendsTM Approach to Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, certified as a Cognitive Stimulation InstructorTM plus more. Teresa worked for the State of Idaho Regional Medicaid program as their Community Resource Specialist, creating grassroots services for the frail elderly, children, and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Additionally, she conducted federal compliance inspections for the Department of Health and Welfare Certified Family Homes. In her free time, Teresa enjoys outdoor activities such as biking and running, creating organic soaps and lotions, cooking, and trying new recipes.
Chryssa Gorka joins Life Changes as a Care Manager Associate in mid-2024. She comes to the field of care management with 20 years in the medical field as a nurse and home health care worker. She has an AS in Applied Science. During the time that Chryssa worked as a nurse she worked in the step-down unit between the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the cardiac care floor; she also served as a “floor nurse” managing the overall care provided by medical team members. She worked as a traveling nurse for a year, broadening her scope and experience. Chryssa is committed to the health and well-being of her clients and is a strong advocate on their behalf.
Terri Hagmann serves as our Virtual Assistant, managing our bookkeeping, office services, invoicing, and providing Concierge services to our clients. Terri owns and operates Beacon Virtual Solutions. She is a certified Project Manager with extensive experience providing these services within large corporations. She is a key contributor to Life Changes. She has been a family care giver since 2010, supporting two parents with dementia. Terri has a BS degree in Business and has served on several boards, including the Foundation Aiding the Elderly and Boise NeighborWorks.
A Care Manager is dedicated to helping clients age well while also supporting quality of life for family members. This phase of a family’s journey together is often complicated. There is more to do than there is time. Relatives may live far away. Relations can become strained.
Our professional training and knowledge of best practices can ease the journey.
Every family is unique. As Care Managers, we apply our insights and skills in 8 key areas to provide you with a positive care plan tailored to your family’s individual needs and strengths.
We offer expertise regarding:
Health and disability: Through assessments and experience, we can help you understand what your loved one does well, and in what areas he or she could use additional help.
Finances: A review of the current monetary situation will result in a plan to make resources stretch as efficiently as possibly while maintaining the desired level of comfort, dignity and safety.
Housing: Based on the assessments, recommendations can be made for optimal living situations now, with a view to likely changes in the foreseeable future.
Family: Sibling disagreements and old family history often make the aging journey difficult. Our training provides for skilled facilitation of family meetings and creation of a plan that takes everyone’s needs into account.
Local Resources: There are programs available to help, but it’s difficult to know which one is the most appropriate for your situation. Save time and money by letting us objectively evaluate the situation and connect you to the resources best suited to your needs.
Advocacy: Our comprehensive knowledge of the disjointed health care system allows us to monitor quality and lobby for the care and treatment your family wants.
Legal: Let us help you identify issues and get key paperwork in order.
Crisis Intervention: The unexpected is simply a fact of life in aging. We are experienced with elder emergencies and are ready to jump in at a moment’s notice.
Life Changes Elder Care Consulting is in the business of helping aging adults and their families to live well throughout the aging process. Give us a call at (208) 321-5567 to discuss the many ways we can help you.
What makes a Care Manager stand apart from the others is the commitment to stay focused on the needs of the client and family. Others may offer services for less, but what you receive cannot help but be influenced by the payment structure.
Hospital- or insurance-based case managers are employees of the health care system. They are good professionals. Their focus, however, is to address the issues of patients within the institution and to make efficient use of services for their organization.
We are based in the community and work with aging adults wherever they live. We provide continuity of care across all settings. We include the family and focus on improving quality of life for the older adult and their grown children.
Senior advisors are paid referral fees to suggest elder care facilities. As a general rule, they have a more limited sphere of knowledge and do not hold a professional degree needed to give them expertise in the 8 key areas of elder care. Only those facilities willing to pay a finder’s fee will be included in their list of suggestions. There may be a more appropriate option, but it will not be mentioned if the facility does not pay for referrals.
Because we are paid directly by you, we are independent and objective. Our focus is 100% on the needs of your family and your aging loved ones. We apply our considerable skill and years of training to your unique situation.
When the issue is safety and quality of life, you deserve the best!
We pride ourselves in our commitment to stay abreast of the ever-changing landscape of senior services and aging research. To this end, our Care Managers are members of the following professional organizations:
Brooke Reché is a Sr Care Manager and Certified Dementia Care Partner. Brooke started with Life Changes in 2017. She has over twenty years’ experience as a project manager, fifteen years as an entrepreneur of a technology company, seven years as a family care giver, and twenty years as a devoted mother. Brooke has exceptional skills assessing the needs and concerns of our clients and developing plans of care that align with the clients’ goals. She utilizes her exceptional relationship skills, project management and technology experience to advance the objectives of her clients and Life Changes. She is compassionate and committed to those that she serves. Brooke enjoys spending her free time adventuring outdoors with her children.
Teresa Johnson joins Life Changes as a Care Manager mid-2024 with 30 years in relevant senior care positions. Teresa is a master trainer in the Best FriendsTM Approach to Alzheimer’s and Dementia care, certified as a Cognitive Stimulation InstructorTM plus more. Teresa worked for the State of Idaho Regional Medicaid program as their Community Resource Specialist, creating grassroots services for the frail elderly, children, and adults with physical and developmental disabilities. Additionally, she conducted federal compliance inspections for the Department of Health and Welfare Certified Family Homes. In her free time, Teresa enjoys outdoor activities such as biking and running, creating organic soaps and lotions, cooking, and trying new recipes.
Chryssa Gorka
A Care Manager is dedicated to helping clients age well while also supporting quality of life for family members. This phase of a family’s journey together is often complicated. There is more to do than there is time. Relatives may live far away. Relations can become strained.
We pride ourselves in our commitment to stay abreast of the ever-changing landscape of senior services and aging research. To this end, our Care Managers are members of the following professional organizations: