education and resources for family caregivers, friends, and providers helping older adults
Funded by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) through these local area agencies on aging:
Website Development, Management, and Success by O'Toole Marketing
Winner, 2004 Caregiver Friendly Media Award, Today's Caregiver Magazine and Caregiver.com
Member National Family Caregivers Association
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Member American Society on Aging
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Who We Are
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Zanda Hilger, M.Ed., LPC, Program Manager, Instructor & Facilitator
Zanda Hilger has a Master's degree in Counseling and Psychology and is a licensed professional counselor. Hilger is not a medical professional. She wrote the curriculum, helps develop and maintain the website, conducts education and support groups and provides counseling. She has 25 years counseling and education experience working with special needs populations, including older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.
"Living the life of a caregiver while helping empowering other caregivers through our many services continues to humble and inspire me to meet the growing needs for awareness, education, and support."
Pam Brandon, Instructor & Facilitator
While working in management for an assisted living facility, Pam nurtured the growth of a caregiver support group and shut-in ministry at her church. Pam?s professional background includes work in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors in marketing, sales, fund development and building community partnerships. Her heartfelt enjoyment for working with the Family Caregiver Education Program grew out of her long time personal caregiving experience for her parents.
"Nothing in my life has been more challenging, yet filled with so many blessings".
Gwen Brown, Instructor
Gwen was the coordinator of Caregiver Support Network, a Faith based caregiver support program funded by Dallas Area Agency on Aging from 2002 - 2007. She is also a Certified Benefits Counselor where she assists individuals in understanding about public benefit programs and how to use them.
"I was blessed to be a caregiver along with six other siblings for 10 years. I help seniors and caregivers on services and public benefits for which they are eligible."
Tena Burrell, Instructor
Tena Burrell is a Certified Senior Advisor who specializes in working with seniors and their families and/or caregivers. Tena is also active in the Grapevine Senior Citizens Center as a board member, as well as other civic groups.
Tena is a caregiver herself, having assistied her parents and disabled siblings.
Bettye Manzay, Instructor
Bettye Manzay has more than 25 years of experience in working, training, consulting, and administering programs for the elderly. She served on the advisory committee for Dallas Area Agency on Aging and contracted to provide training on Medicare Part D for both Dallas and Tarrant County Area Agencies on Aging. She was the Regional Director for Adult Protective Services for the State of Texas. She has also been an adjunct instructor in the area of Gerontology for the Dallas County Community College District.
"My work as Family Caregiver Trainer has afforded me the the opportunity to provide valuable information to caregivers; particularly directing them to resources in the community and helping them to access them. I have been able to share my own caregiver experiences as well help alleviate some of the stresses of caregiving."
Patricia (Pat) Peiser, LCSW, Instructor and Counselor
Pat has been a professional social worker for almost 50 years. She cared for her husband for many years as they faced his Parkinson's disease. Pat has worked in a variety of setting and is known throughout her community as a tireless advocate for older adults and caregivers.
"Caregivers are fortified by the education and insight gained from our Family Caregivers program. It empowers them and relieves some of the stress of the unknown, and makes their job much easier."
Jean T. Porter, LCSW, Instructor, Facilitator, and Counselor
Jean is an inter-generational social worker with over 30 years experience helping families and individuals who want to find solutions. She has been a caregiver herself. Jean provides caregiver education for businesses, churches, professional organizations, and neighborhood groups.
"Caregiving is a journey and the Caregiver Education Program allows caregivers to get information and support to go forward with confidence."
Betty Purkey, Instructor
Betty is a work-life effectiveness consultant and trainer. Her professional
background includes many years of experience in the corporate sector in both
individual contributor and management roles. Most recently she was manager
of work-life strategies at Texas Instruments. She was a caregiver for her
parents and understands the challenges of juggling caregiving and full time
employment.
"I am a strong believer in workplace education and support to help employees
who are struggling with elder care issues. It is a win-win for the company
and the employees."
Cindy Cowan, Administrative Assistant
Cindy Cowan has been an independent contractor for 10 years. Her background is computer software with a BS degree in Computer Science from Corpus Christi State University. She has been Zanda Hilger's Administrative Assistant for 7 years.
Cindy also provides Administrative Support for several non-profits including TAGS (Tarrant Area Gerontological Society), Continuity of Care, and CQEC (Coalition for Quality End-of-Life Care)
Barbara O'Toole, Webmaster
Barbara started her marketing company five years ago to help business owners with branding and writing marketing materials. Early on, she found her customers asking for website services. She is webmaster for a number of not-for-profit organizations, including: Mental Health Association of Tarrant County, the Permain Basin Society for HR Management, and the Coalition for Quality End of Life Care.
"My work on this site has allowed me to meet wonderful, caring people of compassion and courage."
Zanda Hilger has a Master's degree in Counseling and Psychology and is a licensed professional counselor. Hilger is not a medical professional. She wrote the curriculum, helps develop and maintain the website, conducts education and support groups and provides counseling. She has 25 years counseling and education experience working with special needs populations, including older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers.
"Living the life of a caregiver while helping empowering other caregivers through our many services continues to humble and inspire me to meet the growing needs for awareness, education, and support."
Pam Brandon, Instructor & Facilitator
While working in management for an assisted living facility, Pam nurtured the growth of a caregiver support group and shut-in ministry at her church. Pam?s professional background includes work in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors in marketing, sales, fund development and building community partnerships. Her heartfelt enjoyment for working with the Family Caregiver Education Program grew out of her long time personal caregiving experience for her parents.
"Nothing in my life has been more challenging, yet filled with so many blessings".
Gwen Brown, Instructor
Gwen was the coordinator of Caregiver Support Network, a Faith based caregiver support program funded by Dallas Area Agency on Aging from 2002 - 2007. She is also a Certified Benefits Counselor where she assists individuals in understanding about public benefit programs and how to use them.
"I was blessed to be a caregiver along with six other siblings for 10 years. I help seniors and caregivers on services and public benefits for which they are eligible."
Tena Burrell, Instructor
Tena Burrell is a Certified Senior Advisor who specializes in working with seniors and their families and/or caregivers. Tena is also active in the Grapevine Senior Citizens Center as a board member, as well as other civic groups.
Tena is a caregiver herself, having assistied her parents and disabled siblings.
Bettye Manzay, Instructor
Bettye Manzay has more than 25 years of experience in working, training, consulting, and administering programs for the elderly. She served on the advisory committee for Dallas Area Agency on Aging and contracted to provide training on Medicare Part D for both Dallas and Tarrant County Area Agencies on Aging. She was the Regional Director for Adult Protective Services for the State of Texas. She has also been an adjunct instructor in the area of Gerontology for the Dallas County Community College District.
"My work as Family Caregiver Trainer has afforded me the the opportunity to provide valuable information to caregivers; particularly directing them to resources in the community and helping them to access them. I have been able to share my own caregiver experiences as well help alleviate some of the stresses of caregiving."
Patricia (Pat) Peiser, LCSW, Instructor and Counselor
Pat has been a professional social worker for almost 50 years. She cared for her husband for many years as they faced his Parkinson's disease. Pat has worked in a variety of setting and is known throughout her community as a tireless advocate for older adults and caregivers.
"Caregivers are fortified by the education and insight gained from our Family Caregivers program. It empowers them and relieves some of the stress of the unknown, and makes their job much easier."
Jean T. Porter, LCSW, Instructor, Facilitator, and Counselor
Jean is an inter-generational social worker with over 30 years experience helping families and individuals who want to find solutions. She has been a caregiver herself. Jean provides caregiver education for businesses, churches, professional organizations, and neighborhood groups.
"Caregiving is a journey and the Caregiver Education Program allows caregivers to get information and support to go forward with confidence."
Betty Purkey, Instructor
Betty is a work-life effectiveness consultant and trainer. Her professional
background includes many years of experience in the corporate sector in both
individual contributor and management roles. Most recently she was manager
of work-life strategies at Texas Instruments. She was a caregiver for her
parents and understands the challenges of juggling caregiving and full time
employment.
"I am a strong believer in workplace education and support to help employees
who are struggling with elder care issues. It is a win-win for the company
and the employees."
Cindy Cowan, Administrative Assistant
Cindy Cowan has been an independent contractor for 10 years. Her background is computer software with a BS degree in Computer Science from Corpus Christi State University. She has been Zanda Hilger's Administrative Assistant for 7 years.
Cindy also provides Administrative Support for several non-profits including TAGS (Tarrant Area Gerontological Society), Continuity of Care, and CQEC (Coalition for Quality End-of-Life Care)
Barbara O'Toole, Webmaster
Barbara started her marketing company five years ago to help business owners with branding and writing marketing materials. Early on, she found her customers asking for website services. She is webmaster for a number of not-for-profit organizations, including: Mental Health Association of Tarrant County, the Permain Basin Society for HR Management, and the Coalition for Quality End of Life Care.
"My work on this site has allowed me to meet wonderful, caring people of compassion and courage."
Information updated 08-31-11