Our Senior Care Staff
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 being 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. 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.
Gail Williams, Senior Manager
Gail has a bachelor’s degree from University of Wisconsin, she has a Certificate in Compassionate Care, a Dementia Live instructor, and Certified Adult Literary Specialist. Gail has helped many families navigate senior care and living options, she has an extensive background in health care related customer service and lives to help others. Gail has two adult sons and takes every Monday off to be a grandma. She also had the experience of being a family caregiver for a loved one with dementia. Call Gail she will be delighted to help you.
Diane O’Dea, MA
Senior Care Consultant
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 to the joy and accomplishment that will come from helping other families.”
Diane has a Master’s of Arts from the University of Hawaii in American Studies, and a Bachelor’s from Loyola in Liberal Studies. Diane loves her granddaughter, her pets, music, art, and traveling.
Thomas Evans, Project Manager
Tom is involved in several projects that help properties improve efficiencies. This work saves our partner communities money and improves the quality of life for the residents and employees. Tom is also involved in bringing psychiatric provider visits to sites that can help residents with issues such as depression and anxiety
He can be reached directly at email above or by phone at 847.997.8663
Patricia O’Dea-Evans, MS, RN, BSN, LCPC, CCM
President, Certified Geriatric Care Manager/Case 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.”
She started Silver Connections and Silver Connections Academy (501c3) in 2006 to help connect professionals and families that need services for their elderly loved ones.
Pat has been 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 has written on “Elder Care” for the Chicago Hospital News and other publications as well as host of Silver Connections Radio on 1160AM at WYLL Chicago. 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.
Pat has a master’s degree from Aurora University, bachelor’s 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 and holds a Registered Nurse license in Illinois and Wisconsin. She has national certification as a case manager. She has held a past certification as a Master Alcohol and Drug Counselor and a past national certification as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. She served on the NCTRC Certification Board of Directors.
The State of Illinois Governor and Director for the Department of Aging had 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 was 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 the 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. and Chicago in 2013.
In 2022, Pat was selected as Care Manager of the Year by the Case Management Society of America Chicago Chapter. She is past president and board member of the Illinois Continuity of Care Organization and a Member of the Certification Committee for the National Geriatric Care Managers Organization.
As a volunteer, Pat provides marketing and education on the veteran’s “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 in how to help employers and family caregivers learn about senior resources. Pat has a wealth of information on how to access private, state, veteran, and federal services and programs.
Don Klimek, MS
Director of Operations - Don Klimek
Don has a background in project management and a degree in Engineering from the 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) 917-1555. He is certain to be able to assist all that call on him to help.
Eleanor Rigby - Mascot Support
Rigby is a wonderful addition to the Silver Connections team. She has had extensive training as an emotional support and psychiatric service dog. Call to see if she is available for a visit at your property!