Karen L. Witkowicz, M.S.  
"Do you need help with aging parents? I have not only been a professional care manager in the Rochester, NY area for 25 years, but have had personal experience with elder care issues in my own family. I have been a caregiver for two relatives with Alzheimer's Disease, made nursing home, medicaid and SSI applications. Thus, I have seen the world of elder care from the perspective of a professional and a caregiver."

"I specialize not only in care for people with Alzheimer's Disease, but also in assisting people who need help caring long-distance for their aging parents. Out of town children of elderly parents are often very anxious about obtaining quality services for their parents. They are very relieved to have a knowledgeable professional being the eyes and ears on the scene and monitoring all care."

"It is my great pleasure to announce that I now have an associate in my eldercare management &  consulting practice.  Debra Benson    has worked with the elderly and their families for over 15 years in several capacities.  Her goal is to better the lives of seniors by helping them not only to obtain needed services, but to achieve their goals for a high quality of life.  Debra holds a bachelor's degree in Health Services Administration/ Long Term Care from SUNY Fredonia.  She has supervised teams of Home Health Aids, been the Executive Director of an Alzheimer's residential community and has also worked with seniors to create budgets and help pay bills.  She has also served as a New York State Ombudsman.  Debra has personal experience in obtaining needed services for her own elderly relatives. I am pleased and proud to welcome her as a member of my team."  - Karen

Welcome Deb!
Look below to learn about my new associate

New Services Offered!

Red Balloon Service
Long distance relocation 
of elderly

Bill Paying Service
We can help elders pay bills
and keep track of expenses

Benefits Assistance
 Program
Medicare, Medicaid,
Veterans Benefits?
Get the help you need.
 

Recent Publications

Excerpts from the Democrat & Chronicle's "Switching Parenting Roles", by Stuart Low. Karen is featured.

Featured in:"Navigating the Choppy Sea Of Eldercare" by Julie Welch, Business Strategies Magazine, November, 2002

"Relative's Move Easier If Obstacles Anticipated" Rochester Business Journal, June 28, 2002

"Stay Healthier Longer: How To Keep Caregiver Stress At Bay" Webster Herald, March 15, 2000

Also see newsletter archive

Let Karen help your family through a difficult time. 
She can provide...

• In-home evaluation of needed services  -  Learn about services and affordable resources that meet the individual needs of your loved one.
  

• Referral and linkage to community resources  -  Save time and energy searching for service options. Reduce frustration!
  

• Education and counseling about housing options -  Balance independence with necessary care, weighing the choices and relieving anxiety.
  

• Monitoring of home health services -  Continuous follow-up of home services relieves the stress of "doing it all" yourself.
  

• Customized Service Programs  -  Learn about the Red Balloon Service, Bill Paying Service, Benefits Assistance Program,  Nursing Home Placement Program, Independent Living Program,  Alternate Living Placement Program and our Caregiver Support Program.
  

• Complete and accurate information on elder care -  Families can make informed decisions.
  

• Long distance relocation of elderly - Need to move your loved one closer to you? If he or she is unable to travel alone Karen can accompany your elderly relative on the airplane or help you arrange for another mode of transportation. She will also coordinate the transfer of information and medical records.

Karen's consulting practice provides specialized care management for the elderly, including those with Alzheimer's Disease and developmental disabilities. In the caregiving field for 20 years, Karen is certified by the NYS Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities as a Comprehensive Medicaid Care Manager and as a Home and Community Based Waiver Care Manager. Karen is certified by New York State as a court-appointed evaluator under Mental Hygiene Law 81. She has a Master of Science degree in Community Services from the University of Rochester and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the State University of New York at Albany.

Karen is a frequent seminar and workshop presenter, public speaker and consultant to other geriatric care managers. She is currently Past President of the Greater Rochester Area Partnership for the Elderly (GRAPE) and is a member of the faculty and the Advisory Committee for Continuing Education at the Webster School District. Karen is also a member of the Alzheimer's Association, American Society on Aging, National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers, Rochester Professional Consultants Network and the Webster, NY Chamber of Commerce.

Karen's geriatric care management practice is in the Rochester, NY area. You can reach her to discuss your situation by
phone: (585) 671-9702
e-mail: karen@rochestereldercare.com
                    or
mail:  Karen Witkowicz
        1099 Cane Patch
         Webster, NY 14580

Elder care resources
and providers

New York State 
Health Care Proxy Forms

Take the Caregiver 
Check-up

Order Nursing Home Checklists

Presentations and 
Seminars