Facilitators:
Willow Cordain, Owner
Willow is a native Oregonian; she grew up in Eugene and has her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education and Promotion from Oregon State University.
She has worked in Independent Living, Assisted Living and Memory Care Communities in Admissions, as Director and Sales Associate.
She is the owner of Willow Care Consulting, LLC doing what she loves best, guiding families in choosing a senior care community for themselves or their loved one. Clients appreciate her personalized approach, knowledge of the industry, and her compassion when working with them.
Willow is on the Alzheimer’s Association Regional Advisory Committee and was their Chairperson for the 2014 and 2015’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s. She is a co-facilitator of a 10-week Memory Loss Series class for those with dementia and their care partners. She is also a member of Southtowne Rotary.
Kim Dunn, Hospice Care Consultant
Kim is the Hospice Care Consultant for Brighton Hospice. She has a degree in Gerontology and a strong passion for helping people age gracefully.
Kim moved to Eugene from Vancouver, WA with her family in 2016 to be closer to family. After 30 years as a learning and development consultant in the corporate world, she and her family decided to leave the hustle and bustle and travel throughout Europe for 9 months. It was there that she discovered her passion for senior care.
Kim started as a Community Relations Director in memory care prior to coming to hospice. As a Hospice Care Consultant, she helps to educate and navigate the benefits of hospice with families, physicians and senior living communities. “My goal is to make sure that people utilize the wonderful benefits of hospice so that there is dignity when their time comes.”
Bonnie Cubit, Volunteer Support Group Facilitatior
I cared for my husband Dave for 8 years while he had Alzheimer’s. There’s no question that journey was the hardest thing I have ever done. Upon his passing, I knew I was supposed to start a support group for caretakers of those with memory loss.
My goal was to share my journey in hopes that maybe I could help educate and support others. I also realized the need for a faith-based support group. Please feel free to contact me for more information on the two support groups.
Presenters:
Abby Gershenzon, Placement Specialist
Abby is the Placement Specialist for Willow Care Consulting. Beginning in 2016, Abby spent four years as Regional Coordinator for the Alzheimer’s Association, in charge of their programs and services.
She has also worked as Community Education Coordinator for Signature Home Health and Hospice. Abby works to bring education, resources and support to families navigating the dementia journey, and to professionals giving care in care communities. Abby also serves on the Board at Olive Plaza, a 150-unit building that houses low-income seniors in downtown Eugene, as well as on the Board of Senior Provider Information Network (SPIN). She has spent her career as a journalist, educator and Community Health Worker, as well as a committed volunteer for refugee resettlement. Abby earned her B.A. from UC Berkeley, and has an Associate of Science and Community Health Worker certificate from Lane Community College.
Liz von Wellsheim, GNP
Liz has been active at ElderHealth and Living Memory Village from 2006 until 2020 as an owner and is now their Geriatric Nurse Practitioner. Liz is available for Memory Loss Coaching. She typically sees new residents for a comprehensive assessment prior to moving into one of the nine memory care homes.
Liz von Wellsheim, MSN, MA, GNP, has two masters degrees from the University of Pennsylvania: one as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner and the other in Social Gerontology. Liz has more than 30 years of experience in the field of geriatrics.
Kim Frederick, Bereavement Coordinator/Chaplain
Kim Frederick is a Nationally Certified Alzheimer’s Educator, a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and an Internationally Licensed Chaplain. She has almost 20 years of senior care management and consulting experience, with a strong focus on dementia care. She is currently the Bereavement Coordinator and a Chaplain at Brighton Hospice here in Eugene and is the dementia consultant and Medicaid coordination consultant at Schultz & Associates Estate Planning Law Center.
Kim’s personal journey as healthcare proxy for her late mother, Aunt, and older sister with Alzheimer’s Disease instilled in her a strong desire to help other families facing the same challenges. She has volunteered on the Eugene Walk to End Alzheimer’s Committee for more than 20 years, most recently serving as mission chair. Kim and her husband, also in the senior care industry and a retired radio DJ, love spending time with their seven grown children, four grandchildren, and three energetic dogs. They squeeze in Oregon Duck Football games and traveling as often as possible.
John Urness, Elder Law Attorney
John is a shareholder attorney at THORP PURDY JEWETT URNESS & WILKINSON, P.C. Since 1983, John has served his clients and provided personalized solutions that best fit their needs.
John finds nothing more satisfying than helping a client who may be overwhelmed with a difficult situation, breaking it down so the client’s options are understandable, then helping the client decide upon and execute sound solutions, and doing it all with compassion and as efficient as possible. John assists clients in the areas of Elder Law, Estate Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Guardianships & Conservatorships, and long term care and Medicaid planning.
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