Aging with Confidence: Building a Better Future for Older Adults

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Aging with Confidence: Building a Better Future for Older Adults

The American healthcare system is facing a significant shift as the population of older adults grows rapidly. As people live longer, the demand for more comprehensive care increases. Yet, this is happening at a time when the healthcare workforce is stretched thin, with a shortage of professionals trained specifically in geriatrics. Additionally, longstanding issues—like fragmented care, high costs, and disparities in access—continue to hinder many older adults from receiving the quality care they deserve. While advancements in medical research offer hope for managing age-related conditions, these gains risk being limited if our healthcare delivery systems cannot adapt quickly enough.

At Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, we recognize these challenges and take a broader, more holistic approach to supporting older adults. Our mission is to help seniors live with dignity, maintain connections, and feel empowered as they navigate this chapter of life. We believe that care should address the complete person—mind, body, and spirit. This means going beyond medical needs to also prioritize emotional well-being, social connections, and overall quality of life. By focusing on the whole individual, we are building a future where aging doesn’t mean being left behind but, instead, finding renewed purpose and support.

A critical part of our work is empowering clients to make confident decisions about their care. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare—like confusing medical terminology, overwhelming paperwork, and intricate insurance details—can feel daunting. That’s why our goal is to ensure that older adults aren’t just passive recipients of care but active participants in their own health journeys. We believe that knowledge is key to empowerment, and we provide our clients with the information, guidance, and support they need to make informed decisions about their care.

Our advocacy services offer:

  • Clear Communication: We break down complex medical information into understandable terms, so our clients know exactly what their options are.
  • Coordinated Care: We work closely with healthcare providers to ensure all aspects of care are aligned, minimizing gaps and reducing stress for our clients.
  • Support for Families: We partner with family members and caregivers, helping them feel confident that their loved ones are receiving the best possible care.

At Stepping Stone, we believe that every older adult deserves the opportunity to age with confidence. By focusing on a holistic, client-centered approach, we are helping to close the gaps in the healthcare system and create a more supportive, compassionate environment for aging. Together, we are building a brighter, more empowered future for our clients—one where they are truly seen, heard, and valued.

LORI IS EXTREMELY TALENTED!

What a great use of Lori’s talents!

I worked with Lori for several years during my career as an orthopedic surgeon. I know her to be not only compassionate and understanding but also a tireless advocate for what is right.

In difficult situations she was unwavering in her quest to enable me to provide the best possible care for my patients. She knows the system and how to work through it (and around it whenever necessary

LORI JUMPED RIGHT IN

If you are in need of a patient advocate, I would highly recommend Lori Schellenberg. She is extremely knowledgeable, effective, and professional. Knows when to be strong and forceful yet loving and caring with your loved one and your family. I was concerned about an elderly family member who had several severe falls, was forgetting to take medication, not eating healthy and not keeping up with housekeeping yet insistent she was fine and staying in her home. Even though Lori lived out of state she made phone calls on our behalf, made several recommendations to help us provide what our loved one needed and was an intermediary when it was necessary. Lori’s knowledge of geriatrics, continuous care/assisted living facilities, the health care system, long term care insurance and hospice is invaluable. She helped us put together a plan that provided the best and continuous care necessary for our loved one and our family. We are extremely thankful for her help and look forward to continuing to work with her as our loved one moves through the next phases of her life’s journey, thus enabling us to create loving memories.

LORI JUMPED RIGHT IN

My husband underwent nasal surgery 6 months ago, after he had a negative sleep study test and was referred to an ENT doctor due to continued fatigue and snoring.

Unfortunately, he developed two different serious infections, and we were concerned about his ongoing treatment with the ENT. In fact, we were very anxious because he wasn’t getting better but the surgeon was not clear with us as to what to do next.

When describing what was going on, Lori jumped right in, when she found out my husband was actually at the surgeon’s office at that time, and still did not understand the situation. She recommended that my husband ask to have the surgeon come back into the room, and to call her so that she could speak to the surgeon with my husband in the room. Lori was very professional and knowledgeable in her approach with his surgeon. She established a treatment plan, in a way that my husband could understand, and why this was the plan. She also discussed the “what ifs” the current treatment plan did not work. He ordered further tests to be completed prior to his next appointment, if he did not improve.

She followed up with my husband and I to make sure we understood the plan.

By advocating for my husband, Lori relieved a lot of anxiety and stress that this current medical concern was causing, and they felt more confident in the surgeon’s care.

We highly recommend Lori and Stepping Stone Advocacy Services, if you are experiencing a medical condition, and don’t know where to turn for answers. She is experienced and professional, yet able to discuss medical terms in a way that we understood.