About Us: Elder Options
Elder Options, Inc. was developed in 1988 as a community organization and resource for elders and their families by Carol S. Heape, MSW, CMC, its current Executive Director.
Recognizing the numbers of older adults retiring to the foothills and those already aging in place, Elder Options today continues to meet the needs of the older population. Our services have expanded to include services to assist young adults and children with disabilities in a variety of ways as well.
All services are provided through our Placerville, South Lake Tahoe and virtual El Dorado Hills’ offices. Originally serving El Dorado county including the Tahoe Basin and Douglas County, Nevada in the earlier years, Elder Options now serves the general Sacramento Region as well.
Current Contracts include programs through: Long Term Care Insurance companies, State of California – Department Health Care Services (DHCS), Alta California Regional Center, National Multiple Sclerosis Society (M.S.), Del Oro Regional Resource Center and El Dorado County Health & Human Services.
Chosen by the Sacramento Business Journal as one of the 100 Fastest Growing Companies in the Sacramento Region for five years, Elder Options’ services to the community have grown to meet the needs of all the communities in its locale.
With certified geriatric care managers and home care provider employees located throughout the Sacramento Region, Elder Options is a respected resource that helps adult children and older adults:
• Discuss and understand issues of aging and/or disability.
• Develop solutions that meet the needs of the individuals.
• Solve problems around chronic health issues and disabilities.
• Understand various housing opportunities.
• Differentiate between public, private and local programs available aging
• Evaluate the benefits and costs of aging in place versus placement.
Carol S. Heape MSW, CMC
Carol S. Heape, MSW, CMC, began Elder Options, Inc., Placerville, CA. in 1988 as a solo geriatric care manager in a home-based business.
Twenty-three years later, Elder Options has two locations, over 60 employees, and serves individuals of all ages and provides a variety of care management and home care services in two states (California and Nevada).
Carol continues to serve as the Executive Director of Elder Options, Inc. She is a certified care manager (CMC) and a Fellow of the Leadership Academy of NAPGCM. She is a member of the Western Chapter and served on the Chapter Board 2001-2008. In 2006 she was awarded the B.J. Curry Spitler Community Service Award. She is a member of the national Public Policy Committee, has been Chair of both the Western and national Public Policy Committees for NAPGCM. Carol currently is on the NAPGCM Board of Directors and serves as the Board Secretary.
Carol is a strong advocate for the needs of the aging community and their families. Carols commitment to community education is ever present. She writes a regular “Ask a Care Manager” column for several California newspapers, as well as national Aging publications. With her leadership, Elder options staff conduct regular trainings and free community events, including local blood drives, health fairs and support groups for caregivers.
In her spare time, Carol and enjoys gardening, traveling, and time with her family.
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