Care Counselors – How We Work
Joanne Bass, NCG
For the past twenty five years, Joanne has worked with the Senior population in Middle Tennessee—as an administrator of home health agencies and as a Geriatric Care Manager and Public Benefits Specialist for a nationally known Elder Law attorney. Her passion for advocating the needs of Seniors was born when she took on the care of her own mother in the early 80’s.
After losing time at work and struggling through the red tape and confusion to find the appropriate resources and assistance her mother required, Joanne quickly realized that a more dedicated Senior focused service was needed to meet the needs of her mother and other Seniors in the area. And, while the companies she worked for provided some of those services, there was nothing in the marketplace that delivered a comprehensive solution. Finally, in May of 2008, Joanne founded Care Counselors.
In addition to her work with Care Counselors, Joanne continues to expand on her degree from Trevecca Nazarene University and her Medical and Advanced Studies Certification in Gerontology from Meharry College of Medicine by attending and participating in geriatric courses and workshops several times a year.
Joanne is a member of the National Association of Geriatric Care Managers and Southeast Chapter of NAPGCM. She is accredited as a Nationally Certified Guardian by the National Guardianship Association and sits on the Board of Directors of the Conservatorship Association of Tennessee as well as the Academic Advisory Board of Kaplan Career Institute. Joanne also speaks frequently to groups and organizations, such as the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Tennessee Bar Association State Convention and many other organizations with a focus on Senior advocacy.
Joanne provides services and consulting predominantly in Middle Tennessee but is available for consultation and support for the rest of the Care Counselor’s team and clients, as needed, throughout Tennessee.
__________________________________________________________________________________
Dusty Wilson, MA, CMC
Dusty’s experience is similar to Joanne’s in that she also has personal experience in juggling the care of a loved one at home and has had a life long interest in the Senior population as a source of wisdom and inspiration.
As a Certified Geriatric Care Manager, Dusty has over ten years experience in working with Seniors in skilled nursing and home health care. Her specialty is Senior mental health issues and she has worked as a Social Services Director and Mental Health Counselor prior to joining Care Counselors.
Dusty is an alumni of Western Kentucky University where she majored in Psychology and minored in Gerontology. Also a graduate of Argosy University where she received her Master’s degree in Professional Counseling, she is a member of the National Association of Geriatric Care Managers and American Mental Health Counselors Association.
Dusty services our clients in Middle Tennessee.