Who We Are

In 2005, I started Caregiving Corner to combine my passion for working with older adults with the needs of family caregivers – to have peace of mind, clarity, and confidence about their role as a caregiver.

We use our expertise and resourcefulness to help families of older adults navigate through the complexity and emotional impact of caregiving decisions. As the result of our guidance, families will experience less stress and greater peace of mind.

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Our Founder & CEO

Jennifer - headshotJennifer T. Szakaly, MA, CMC, NMG attended UNC-Charlotte and earned her Master of Arts in Gerontology in 2002.

Following her work for various for-profit and non-profit organizations in the aging industry, she opened Caregiving Corner in 2005.  Jennifer became nationally certified as a care manager in 2008 and nationally certified as a guardian in 2018. In 2023, Jennifer obtained her National Master Guardian designation, held by fewer than 100 guardians nationwide.

Jennifer previously served as President of the Southeast Chapter of the Aging Life Care Association and is currently a Board Member of the North Carolina Guardianship Association.

More important than her professional accomplishments are the qualities of compassion, integrity, and resourcefulness that equip her with the skills to help families through the most difficult caregiving challenges.

Jennifer is a proud Fellow of the Leadership Academy of the Aging Life Care Association, the highest designation achievable in this profession.

 

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Professional memberships

We pride ourselves in our commitment to stay abreast of the ever-changing landscape of senior services and aging research. To this end, our Aging Life Care Managers are members of the following professional organizations:

 

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Ashley Brooks, MA - Director of Counseling & Caregiver Support

geriatric care managerAshley received her Master of Arts degree in Community Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2001.She recently joined the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care managers as an Associate Care Manager and is currently pursuing her license to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC).

Her professional experience includes counseling, chaplaincy services, crisis, emergency & trauma services, consulting in patient care, conducting assessments, locating community resources & research services, and assisting individuals who are dealing with grief and loss.  Ashley’s commitment to our firm’s clients is to provide methods and resources to generate personalized solutions that can restore balance in your life.  She will be with you every step of the way while you navigate the challenges that arise in taking care of a loved one.

Ashley is a proud Professional Member of the Aging Life Care Association

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Barbara Moore - Nurse Care Manager

 

Barbara received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998.  After college, she moved to Denver, Colorado, where she worked in clinical areas, including neurosurgery, orthopedics, and rehabilitation.  She also has experience working in hospital case management and nurse management at a community health clinic. 

After moving back to North Carolina in 2004, Barbara found a passion for working with seniors as she transitioned her career and served as a Director of Senior Adult Ministries for a large church in the Lake Norman area.  There she was able to plan programs geared toward seniors, lead support groups, and provide counsel for those dealing with health crises, chronic health conditions, and grief.  Most recently, Barbara was the Director of Nursing and Agency Director of a Charlotte-based senior home care agency.  She spent six years advocating for clients and educating families while developing client-centered care plans focused on keeping seniors safe, healthy, and happy. 

Barbara uses positive energy along with her ability to listen, problem solve, and advocate to create strong relationships with her clients and families as she assists them with care management.   

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Susan Ferone - Care Manager

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Susan received her Masters in Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel HIll in 1993 with a concentration in mental health. The North Carolina Social Work Certification and Licensure Board has certified Susan as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She currently serves on the Board of Social Advisors for the UNC School of Social Work.

Her professional experience includes work as a Care Coordinator-providing referrals, establishing care teams, supportive therapy and educational programming. Susan has co-facilitated support groups for both caregivers and those experiencing grief and loss. Her community involvement includes volunteering with public education, affordable housing and scouting.

Susan is a proud Professional Member of the Aging Life Care Association.

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Ashlyn Hyde - Asst. Care Manager

 

Ashlyn received her Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Public Health degrees from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. With a Graduate Certificate in Gerontology, she brings a wealth of knowledge and interest in the field of aging to our team.

Ashlyn is a Greensboro native and now resides in Charlotte. She joined our team in 2022 as an Assistant Care Manager.

 

 

 

 

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Ginny Sloan - Care Manager

Ginny Sloan received her Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2004. She is licensed in NC as a clinical social worker (LCSW) and certified dementia practitioner.  

 

Her professional experience includes serving as a crisis counselor in the mental health clinic and as a case manager and discharge planner in the inpatient hospital setting. Most recently, she has worked in primary care providing wellness counseling and caregiver support, connecting patients and families with resources, and co-facilitating a grief support group. Ginny enjoys working with families to find solutions and navigate the complexities of healthcare and aging.   

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Leah Cooper - Care Manager

Leah received her Masters in Human Development and Learning at UNC Charlotte in 1991. She returned for more graduate work in Gerontology in 2014. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner and Certified Care Manager.

 

Leah has worked with older adults, supporting caregivers, and those living with dementia since 2014. Her professional experience includes time as a substance abuse counselor and Montessori teacher. She has had many years of leading support groups, including the Caregiver TLC Program through UNC Charlotte. Leah is a proud member of the Aging Life Care Association.

 

As a care manager, Leah loves helping people find solutions and supporting them in the process. She wants the families she works with to feel heard, respected, and live with dignity.

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Deborah Agnone - Creative Engagement Director

elderly care managerDeborah graduated from Appalachian State University with a Masters degree in Education and a Bachelors degree in Special Education with a focus in psychology. Her undergraduate studies at Queens College encompassed Music Therapy.

Deborah has taught school, developed a special education program for a missions school abroad and served as an activities coordinator for a dementia day program at a prestigious retirement community in Charlotte.
Deborah brings a personal touch to our clients with her music and art abilities and specializes in bringing creative fun and connections to our clients through outings and one-on-one time spent exploring each individual’s varying interests and needs.

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Allyson C. Jones - Nurse Care Manager

geriatric case manager in charlotteAllyson received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 1986. Her professional experience spans 30 years of patient care in Charlotte, with focus in oncology, obstetrics/gynecology and dermatology. Her roles have included primary care, triage, patient education, and health care coordination with both physicians and specialists. More recently, she served as part of Novant’s COVID screening and care teams in multiple locations throughout Charlotte.

During her career, and in support of family members, she has developed a passion for caregiving in the aging process. She brings a personable, high-energy approach to her patients, establishing relationships with patients and families to ensure a clear understanding of patient needs.

Allyson believes that peace of mind in the aging requires planning, coordination and emotional support, and she’s excited to be part of the Caregiving Corner team.

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Ruth Huey - Nurse Care Manager

Ruth - headshot Bio coming soon!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Marilyn Morenz - Nurse Care Manager

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Marilyn earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New York University. She has worked with older adults in the Charlotte area since 1981 in the fields of oncology, hospice, and palliative care.

Marilyn serves on the Faculty and is a certified Instructor for Respecting Choices, an educational curriculum which promotes advance care planning discussions. She is a member of the N.C. Partnership for Compassionate Care and past-president of the Piedmont Chapter of the Hospice & Palliative Nurse Association.

Marilyn has been a long time patient advocate and educator with a focus on advance care planning. She has done presentations on this topic for numerous audiences and remains dedicated to educating people about how to make and clearly communicate healthcare decisions.

Marilyn is a proud Advanced Professional Member of the Aging Life Care Association.


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Allie Miller - Care Manager

elderly care manager in charlotteAllie Miller received her Master of Science from Columbia University School of Social Work in New York City. Allie is currently a licensed social worker in the state of North Carolina.

After graduation, Allie worked as a geriatric social worker at a large non-profit organization in New York City where she was able to work directly with a diverse population of older adults. Allie then worked at a small geriatric care management practice where she helped clients and families navigate the unique challenges that come with aging. Upon her relocation to Charlotte, Allie was excited to continue her work as a care manager at Caregiving Corner.

As a care manager, Allie brings her compassion, patience, and calmness to every situation when working with clients. She has a life-long commitment to enriching the lives of older adults and adults with disabilities.

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