Community Education

One topic. Three experts.

Aging brings questions no one hands you a manual for. This series brings together local professionals to answer them, one topic at a time — and our free guides are yours to keep.

Community Education

1 Topic. 3 Experts. Real answers for real families.

Our goal is simple: to make complicated senior care topics easier for families to understand by bringing together three local experts to share their knowledge on one important topic.

1 Topic. 3 Experts. Helping families navigate aging one topic at a time — three questions, three perspectives, one trusted resource. Melissa Rich, Owner, Avendelle at Picardy Point.

Why I created this series

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a crisis, desperately searching for answers? Or maybe you can see that a need is coming — but you have no idea where to begin.

I’ve been in both of those situations. And I can tell you, they’re overwhelming, confusing, and sometimes downright scary. When my family began navigating my dad’s aging journey, we had so many questions and often didn’t know where to turn for reliable information.

Through this series, I bring together local experts to share their knowledge, answer the same three questions, and help make complex topics easier to understand. We introduce each expert and share their contact information, website, and resources — so if you decide you need help, you’ll know exactly where to turn.

— Melissa Rich, Owner

The Three Questions

01What is one thing you wish every family knew about this topic?
02What’s the biggest misconception families have about this topic?
03What resource, service, or option do families often not know exists — but should?

Three questions. Three perspectives. One trusted resource — free for every family in our community.

How it works for participating experts

What we need from you

Your answers to the three questions — short and conversational is perfect
A high-resolution headshot
A short professional bio (50–100 words)
Your company name, website, and preferred contact information
Optional: a 60–90 second video sharing your perspective

What we do

Combine all three experts’ responses into one educational resource
Create the infographic and supporting materials
Include your photo, bio, website, and contact information
Share the finished resource with you for review and approval before publication
Promote it through our channels and give you graphics and copy to share with your own audience

Day 1Questions sent to participating experts
Days 2–4Experts submit responses and optional video
Days 5–6We create the educational resource
Day 7Experts receive the final draft for review
Day 8Resource is published and shared

Timelines are approximate and subject to change until all three experts are confirmed for a topic.

Topics we’re covering

Sixteen topics, three experts each. Click a topic to sign up as one of its experts — we’ll email you the three questions and the contributor brief.

Aging in Place

1 seat open

View infographic

Suggested experts

Adult Day Program Director Mary Arthur Glade Adult Day Program Center Director, Glenaire
Aging-in-Place Contractor (CAPS) Seat open
Occupational Therapist Seat open

Additional confirmed experts

Home Care Agency Brianna Roche Owner, Assisting Hands Home Care

Also open to Geriatric Care Manager • CareYaya Local Representative • Home Care Agency • Realtor • Physical Therapist • Smart Home Specialist

Assisted Living: When Is It Time?

2 seats open

Suggested experts

Residential Assisted Living Administrator Mo Carr Residential Assisted Living Administrator, Avendelle
CCRC Director or Representative Seat open
Skilled Nursing Home Representative Seat open

Also open to Assisted Living Owner • Hospital Case Manager • Primary Care Provider • Senior Placement Advisor • Family Caregiver

Paying for Mom’s Care: Understanding Your Options

2 seats open

Suggested experts

Elder Financial Planner Seat open
Elder Law Attorney Amy Osborne Attorney & CPA, Law Offices of Amy Whinery Osborne, PC
Long-Term Care Specialist Seat open

Also open to Medicaid Planner • VA Benefits Specialist • CPA • Long-Term Care Insurance Advisor • Trust Officer

Hospice: What Every Family Should Know

1 seat open

Suggested experts

Hospice Executive Tylden O'Brien Account Executive, Cardinal Hospice Care
Social Worker Seat open
Medical Director Dr. Shayne Ladak, MD, CMD National Medical Director, Cardinal Hospice Care

Also open to Hospice Chaplain • Bereavement Counselor • Family Caregiver

The Assisted Living Leap: Planning a Smooth Transition

2 seats open

Suggested experts

Senior Move Manager Brenda Steen Senior Moves Manager, Caring Transitions
Assisted Living Administrator Seat open
Lifestyle Photographer Seat open

Also open to Pet Photographer • Professional Organizer • Assisted Living Owner • Geriatric Care Manager

Dementia: 3 Things Every Family Should Know

3 seats open

Suggested experts

Geriatric Nurse Practitioner / Physician Seat open
Elder Law Attorney Seat open
Dementia Specialist Seat open

Also open to Alzheimer’s Association • Memory Care Director • Pharmacist • Occupational Therapist

Preventing Caregiver Burnout

3 seats open

Suggested experts

Caregiver Coach Seat open
Family Therapist Seat open
Geriatric Care Manager Seat open

Also open to Respite Care Provider • Family Caregiver • Life Coach • Adult Day Director • Social Worker

Veterans’ Benefits

3 seats open

Suggested experts

VA Attorney Seat open
Veterans Service Officer (VSO) Seat open
Benefits Consultant Seat open

Also open to VA Benefits Specialist • Financial Planner • Veteran Caregiver

Home Safety

3 seats open

Suggested experts

Occupational Therapist Seat open
CAPS Contractor Seat open
Medical Alert Specialist Seat open

Also open to Physical Therapist • Home Modification Contractor • Fire Department • Pharmacist

Talking to Parents About Care

3 seats open

Suggested experts

Family Therapist Seat open
Geriatric Care Manager Seat open
Elder Law Attorney Seat open

Also open to Licensed Therapist • Adult Child Caregiver • Social Worker • Physician • Faith Leader

Medicare Made Simple

2 seats open

Suggested experts

Medicare Advisor Heather Jones Principal Agent & Owner, Wise Insurance Services
Financial Planner Seat open
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Seat open

Also open to SHIIP Counselor • Medicare Broker • Social Worker • Benefits Counselor

Fall Prevention

3 seats open

Suggested experts

Physical Therapist Seat open
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Seat open
Aging-in-Place Contractor Seat open

Also open to Occupational Therapist • Medical Alert Provider • Pharmacist • Fire Department

Medication Management 101

3 seats open

Suggested experts

Consultant Pharmacist Seat open
Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Seat open
Home Health Nurse Seat open

Also open to Long-Term Care Pharmacist • Primary Care Provider • Home Health Nurse • Geriatric Care Manager

Selling or Downsizing Mom’s Home

2 seats open

Suggested experts

SRES® Realtor Debbie Westbrook Realtor & SRES, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices YSU Realty
Senior Move Manager Seat open
Estate Sale Specialist Seat open

Also open to Professional Organizer • Estate Sale Company • Downsizing Coach • Junk Removal Specialist

Healthy Aging

3 seats open

Suggested experts

Registered Dietitian Seat open
Fitness Specialist Seat open
Pharmacist Seat open

Also open to Geriatric Physician • Sleep Specialist • Audiologist • Senior Fitness Specialist

Preserving Mom’s Legacy: Capturing Stories, Memories & Family History

3 seats open

Suggested experts

Legacy Coach or Storytelling Specialist Seat open
Lifestyle or Family Legacy Photographer Seat open
Memory Book Creator or Professional Organizer Seat open

Also open to Videographer or Oral Historian • Genealogist • Scrapbook or Album Designer • Hospice Chaplain

Don’t see your specialty, or know a colleague who would be perfect for one of these? Tell us in the form below — and please pass this page along to any professionals you’d recommend.

For Families

Resources

A growing collection of articles, videos, and talks we think every family navigating aging should see.

Video

How to Relieve the Stress of Caring for an Aging Parent

Amy O’Rourke’s TEDx talk on the emotional toll of caregiving — and practical ground rules for communication, denial, and accepting aging as a lifestyle change.

Watch now

Are You a Local Expert?

Share your expertise with local families.

If you’re an elder law attorney, financial planner, therapist, geriatric care manager, senior real estate specialist, or another professional serving older adults in the Triangle, we’d love to feature you. Each topic uses three non-competing experts, and there’s no cost to participate.

Prefer email? Reach Melissa directly at melissa.rich@avendelle.com or (984) 600-3597.

Expert Interest Form

First name

Last name

Phone

Company

Website

Your profession

Topic

Anything else we should know?

We’ll email you the contributor brief and the three questions. No cost, no obligation.

Family Resources

Topic Infograph Guides

Free educational resources for families navigating senior care decisions.