Biographies

 

 

Patricia O'Dea-Evans, MS, RN, LCPC, CCM

Certified Geriatric Care Manger
President

 "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. Pat has an extensive background 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 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 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 NCOA-ASA Aging in America Conference held in Washington, D.C. She is a 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.

 

Jennifer Pugh

 

 

  

Senior Care Consultant

 

Jennifer joined Silver Connections as a Senior Care Consultant with more than a decade of experience in helping the elderly.

 

With her extensive network of professional healthcare relationships, Jennifer brings her own passion and dedication to seniors and their well-being.. She has extensive knowledge of geriatric resources, as well as a Bachelor of Health Science (Community Health Education/Certificate Gerontology) from Illinois State University.

 

Paula Skweres

 

 

  

Senior Care Consultant

 

Paula joined Silver Connections in July 2007 as a Senior Care Consultant. She had recently gone through over a year of family crises, with three different family members, that included dealing with rehabilitation, skilled nursing, hospice and memory care. She found out what it was like to try to wade through the myriad of different facilities and services in order to find the best care for her family members. As she often tells the families she works with, she knows what they are going through as she had experienced their frustration, (self-induced) guilt and not knowing who to talk to or where to go for assistance. During the last situation, she worked with Silver Connections who assisted in her mother-in-law’s placement. Impressed with the care, concern and empathy she found Paula asked if she could join Silver Connections.

 

Paula’s prior experience was largely with Fortune 100 companies in the consulting, sales and marketing areas. In 2002, she left her job with Microsoft and entered into a franchise which provided business coaching to individuals. She prides herself in her ability to listen to her clients, understand their needs and present an appropriate solution. Paula is passionate about helping seniors and their families and tries her best to make sure they don’t have to go through the same frustrations she went through. Paula has a Bachelors in Psycology.

 

Paula’s second love is her Golden Retrievers, Riley & Harley, and is an active member of As Good As Gold, the Golden Retriever Rescue Group of Northern Illinois.

 

 

 

 

Diane O'Dea

 

 

  

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 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.

 

Ellen Vinzani

 

  

Senior Care Consultant
 Ellen joined Silver Connections in January 2007 as a Senior Care Consultant.  Previously she worked for 10 years as an activity director in three different retirement communities.  Prior to that she was the program and volunteer coordinator at the Arlington Heights Historical Museum.

Ellen's first involvement with senior housing was in searching for a good community for her father, who she moved here from New York at age 91.  It was confusing and difficult to find the right fit.  There were many options but upon looking into them, most were not appropriate.  Ellen is now dedicated to educating and guiding others in this same situation.

Ellen is married, has two grown sons and a cat. She also does presentations entitled, "Traveling Teacups".  Her interests include traveling, entertaining and bicycling.

 

 

Barbara Sheldon

 

  

Senior Care Consultant
 

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.