Luann Arvonen  is a Certified Care Manager with over 24 years experience in the geriatric field.  She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy from Arizona State University in 1984.  Her experience has taken her along the entire geriatric continuum of Care – skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care assisted living, independent retirement living and hospice.  Throughout her career, Luann has served on various committees for a number of healthcare organizations.  She co-chaired the 1999 Alzheimer’s Association Desert Southwest Chapter’s Memory Walk in Phoenix and the Hearts for Hospice Walk in 2003.  Luann has extensive knowledge of issues and concerns of the elderly, community resource acquisition, and she has assisted many seniors and families problem solve to maintain their loved ones in the least restrictive environment.  Luann is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of her clients and advocating on their behalf

Brenda Unsworth  has worked in the areas of medical and mental health social work for more than 20 years.  She has extensive experience with geriatric social work as both a clinician and as a supervisor in various hospital and mental health settings.  Most recently she has been a Community Enrichment Center director for a large federal grant project within a local elementary school district.  Brenda is licensed as an independent clinician by the state of Arizona and certified as a domestic violence counselor by the National Association of Forensic Counselors.  She serves on the Advisory Board for ASU West’s School of Social Work and has taught classes there on medical documentation and violence prevention, as well as training new social workers as a field instructor.  In addition, Brenda has presented seminars on domestic violence intervention and served on the Maricopa Association of Government’s task force for domestic violence education and prevention. 

Jeannie Singleton  is a licensed Masters-level social worker.  She received a Bachelor’s degree in social work from Northern Arizona University in 1995 and a Master’s degree in social work from Arizona State University in 2002.   Jeannie has worked in mental and medical health care since 1995 and has extensive experience in providing social services to geriatric patients and their families within a hospital setting.  She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers.  While working as a medical social worker, Jeannie created a behavioral health manual to provide nurses with tools to work more effectively with patients with behavioral health problems.  Jeannie worked as an emergency room social worker at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center, a level one trauma center, for 5 years providing crisis intervention services to patients and families.  Her areas of interest are working with individuals with mental illness and physical disabilities.  Jeannie is a dedicated advocate, making a difference in the lives of the clients and families she serves.

Valorie V. Litchy  has 22 years’ experience in senior healthcare administration.  As Administrator of a memory care facility, Val served residents and families experiencing unique challenges of a diagnosis of dementia and other complex medical issues, assessing and coordinating medical care and services and residential/social enhancements to quality of life.  In her work in a Continuing Care Retirement Community, Val was involved in the provision of services to residents in independent, assisted and skilled nursing care settings, including evaluation of residents’ needs, wants, and desires, and new facility design and construction.  Val has been an active local community volunteer, coordinating fundraisers for both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease patients.  Val is committed to using her communications skills and extensive knowledge of local resources to helping older adults maintain the highest possible levels of dignity and independence.  Val holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a Bachelor’s degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and is a licensed Assisted Living Facility Manager in the state of Arizona.