Today we’d like to introduce you to Danica Scuderi-Carluccio.
Hi Danica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
At the age of 14 I began volunteering at the local hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center, and a nursing home. I absolutely loved working with the elderly, listening to their stories was much better than history class! A highly impactful day, which led me on this path, was when I was volunteering at the hospital, delivering flowers. I went into a lady’s room to deliver roses, and she jumped up and said, “Oh, I love candy. Thank you for these.” I corrected her, but she was insistent that the flowers were candies. I left the room and stopped a physician in the hallway, expressing my concern about the woman. The doctor took the time to explain the brain and how this lady had vascular dementia. From that moment on, I was intrigued, so much so, my science project that year was all about the brain! The hospital even permitted me to check out a brain to present as part of my science project!
At 14, I did not know where my future path would lead, but I knew, definitively, the career would include the elderly and research related to the brain. As I continued with education and my volunteering, my heart felt the need to service the elderly population. I could make a real difference, sometimes, just providing a listening ear, giving a big hug, problem solving to assist with safety.
When graduating from high school, I began work at a Vocational office helping special needs. This experience opened my eyes to another population where the brain was effected but in a different way than dementia. I was so intrigued. Then, I observed the needs of this population and began to vision the difference I could make here as well.
Through my volunteering experiences and while obtaining my AA degree, I had chosen 2 fields which piqued my interest: Social Work and Law. I attended the University of West Florida, in Pensacola for my bachelor’s degree which now was focused on social work and law as a secondary interest. After graduation, my first job was in a local nursing home. A setting I remained in from 1994 to 2004 as a Social Services Director, Risk Manager and Discharge Planner.
The time spent in the nursing homes provided me with a unique perspective. I observed health care and the effective and ineffective protocols; families struggle to understand their loved one’s medical diagnosis, disease progress and grieving process; and the residents themselves trying to manage their life as medical problems arose, their family members fought, and their own end of life. It was during this tenure, I also had experiences with Elder Care attorneys, their role to ensure there was someone to manage the finances, healthcare, and the after-death affairs. It was this decade which formed a desire to help even more. It was exceedingly difficult, as a social worker, to properly advocate for a resident when it was the corporate entity of the nursing home which employed me. This was where I began to realize there had to be a profession where I could truly be an advocate. Our facility had several clients who had a professional guardian and/or a case manager to help them. It was amazing to see how these representatives kept their focus on the client and their needs. They did not have to jump through the corporate hoops, skillable care directives or be afraid advocacy could cost them their job. They were making a REAL difference.
In 2004, a professional guardian in the community hired me. I really enjoyed my role as a case manager, traveling to see clients in their homes and in institutional settings. I became a professional guardian in 2005. In 2008 I embarked on a new journey by opening Advocates for the Aging, Inc. The team members chosen have as much passion and compassion as I do for the vulnerable populations.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Over the years, there have been many challenges in the field of guardianship and case management. Due to some negative press related to guardians, the legislation and states instituted changes that are not necessarily in the best interest of our vulnerable population. Many of these changes in protocols, statutes, standards of practice have tied the hands of professional guardians to truly help these clients in an efficient, effective, quality-full manner.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Advocates For the Aging Inc?
Advocates for the Aging team members are strong advocates for the elderly and special needs population. We are the boots on the ground and extra eyes and hears to assist the client. Our dedicated team diligently monitors and addresses the psychological, emotional, medical, social, and financial needs of our clients, ensuring that their personal requirements are fully met. We actively participate in medical appointments and arrange necessary follow-up care. Count on us to leverage appropriate resources to promote the health, safety, and overall well-being of our clients. As part of our comprehensive case management services, we serve as a liaison between medical professionals, facilities, and families. We take charge of medication dispensing by maintaining and filling medication boxes, facilitating pharmacy refills. We conduct in-home visits to continually evaluate the evolving needs of our clients. For family members who may live far away or require an additional layer of care monitoring, we act as their on-the-ground support, providing expert guidance in navigating the challenges of caring for an aging loved one.
What sets us apart from others? We LOVE what we do and our extensive experience and knowledge shines through when we encounter tough cases, family dynamic issues and the need to solve a problem.
I am very proud of the reputation we have in Brevard County among our peers and other professionals. We collaborate with other professional guardians and case managers to enhance each other’s services when needed.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Yes, spending quality time with your loved ones is so very important. Keeping communication flowing openly is also very important to achieve positive, quality-full outcomes!
Pricing:
- Our services range from $70 to $150 an hour
Contact Info:
- Website: www.advocatesfortheaging.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CaseMgr08
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danica-scuderi-carluccio-1009129/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c72CJ8HqexM
