Biographies - silverconnections

Kitty Watson, MS

Elder Care Manager - Kitty Watson

Kitty has spent over 30 years helping Senior Citizens. Having lost her mother to dementia in 2012, she is particularly sensitive to working family caregivers. Her vast experience includes: activity director in a nursing home, director of a park district, administrator of a home health agency and an independent retirement community, and the corporate marketing director of an assisted living chain. So Kitty has actively participated in all levels of senior care.

In addition, Kitty has been an Elder Care Manager for 20 years. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Parks and Recreation, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, and is nationally certified as an elder care manager. She is also active in her community. kitty@silverconnections.com

Barbara Sheldon, BSN

Senior Care Consultant - Barbara Scott Sheldon, BSN

Barbara has spent most of her career helping others or working with Seniors. Her vast experience includes working as Director of Community Relations for a major Assisted Living Chain and Director of Admissions for a skilled nursing home.Barbara currently serves as a Senior Care Consultant for Silver Connections Chicagoland’s largest referral service for senior housing and care. She is well-known to be a resource for seniors in the north and northwest suburbs. Barbara has a Bachelors of Science in Nursing. Barbara.Sheldon@ASilveConnection.com

Diane O’Dea, MA

Senior Care Consultant - Diane O'Dea, MA

When Diane’s mother was diagnosed with Parkinson’s; it threw her family into turmoil. She had to find care for her mother, sell the house, find out what to do with all the stuff, and take care of financial matters. After this experience, Diane realized how stressful and overwhelming it is for families to sort through senior housing and the issues that go along with it.

“The first person I helped find senior housing was Dorothy, my best friend’s mother. She was in a property that wasn’t suited for her needs. My friend and her husband still rave about how much Dorothy has improved mentally and physically since she found her new home. I am thrilled that I was able to help this family. I am looking forward for the joy and accomplishment that will come from helping other families.”

Diane has a Masters of Arts from the University of Hawaii in American Studies, and a Bachelors from Loyola in Liberal Studies. Diane loves music, art and traveling. Diane.ODea@ASilverConnection.com

Patricia O’Dea-Evans, MS, RN, BSN, LCPC, CCM

President, Certified Geriatric Care Manager

“It is an honor to provide services to seniors and their families. I have the privilege of being able to share my professional experience with families seeking how to find the best alternative for themselves or their situational needs.”

Pat is a Geriatric Care Manager and nationally known expert who has been helping Adult Children help their elderly parents for over the past two decades. She developed “How to Help Your Employees Help Their Aging Parents” A workshop designed to help you save your employers time, money and frustration. P d helping families for over thirty years. She has worked in Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Residential Properties. Some of her past positions include Clinical Director of Geriatric Services, Admissions Director, Compliance Officer and Vice President of Administrative Services at Chicago area Hospitals. She writes on “Elder Care” for the Chicago Hospital News and other publications and host of Silver Connections Radio on 1160AM at WYLL Chicago.

Pat has a Masters Degree from Aurora University, Bachelors in Behavioral Sciences from National Louis University, BSN from Western Governors University and Professional Registered Nursing AS Degree from Harper College in Palatine, IL. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Illinois, Registered Nurse license in Illinois. She has national certification as a Case Manager. She has held past Certification as a Masters Alcohol and Drug Counselor and past National Certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. She served on the NCTRC Certification Board of Directors.

The State of Illinois Govenor and Director for the Department of Aging has appointed Pat to be an Advisory Board Member for The Department of Aging, Public Health, and Healthcare and Family services on the Older Adult Services Advisory Committee. In this role, she is the representative for family caregivers. “Ultimately, the goal of this initiative is to transform Illinois’ system of older adult services making it the most comprehensive, affordable and sustainable service delivery system possible.”

Pat also represented the interests of seniors for US Congress 8th District Senior Advisory Committee as Chair of Veterans issues for the 111th US Congress. Pat was selected for the faculty of the 2008 and 2013 NCOA-ASA Aging in America Conference held in Washington, D.C. & Chicago in 2013. She is current President and Board Member for the Illinois Continuity of Care Organization and Member of the Certification Committee for the National Geriatric Care Managers Organization.

As a volunteer, Pat provides marketing and education on the Veterans “Aid and Attendance” program. An underutilized benefit for seniors and their widowed spouses that had served during wartime for the United States of America. Pat is an expert in senior housing and care options and specializes on how to help employers and family caregivers learn about senior resources. Pat has a wealth of information on how to access both private, state, Veterans and federal services and programs. Pat.ODea@SilverConnections.com

Don Klimek, MS

Director of Operations - Don Klimek

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Don has a background in project management and a degree in Engineering from University of Illinois, Chicago. Don assists us in keeping our CE programs and overall operation running smoothly. If you need anything from our corporate office contact Don at 847-259-7723 he is certain to be able to assist all that call on him to help. Controlsc@aol.com