Who Is Pathways For Aging?
PATHWAYS FOR AGING is a group of professional clinical social workers who are licensed in the state of Missouri and hold Masters Degrees in Social Work. All of the social workers on staff are experienced in working with older adults and their families and are Medicare approved mental health providers. Pathways for Aging social workers strive to help change society’s attitudes about aging by starting with individual older adults and improving how they live and approach life. Our social workers bring a wide variety of professional experiences to Pathways for Aging, and all have multicultural training and experience. We work with older and disabled adults regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, political belief, gender identity, or disability.
Jeannie Krause-Taylor, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM founded Pathways for Aging in 2004 after more than 20 years of experience as a professional social worker because she has seen the strain, frustration, and feelings of helplessnes experienced by older adults, families and caregivers as they struggle with difficult changes in their roles and life-altering decisions. Jeannie’s previous experience includes serving as the social work manager for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, case manager supervisor with the St. Louis Regional Center, and in disability services.
Jeannie also serves as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Washington University in Saint Louis, where she is an instructor for social work students seeking their Masters Degree.
Active in the community and with professional organizations, Jeannie has served as an officer on the Board of the Gateway Chapter of the Older Women’s League (OWL) and is a current member of the Board of Directors for Housing Options Provided for the Elderly (HOPE). She is also a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (NAPGCM) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW). She served several terms on the Board of Directors for the Missouri Chapter of NASW.
Ann Fitter, MSW, LCSW came to Pathways for Aging in 2007 as a therapist and geriatric care manager. Ann’s background includes working with adult women and the Missouri Department of Senior Services where she served as a caseworker for several years.
Becky Schwantes, MSW, MA, PLCSW began working with Pathways for Aging in January 2009 while she was finishing her second master’s degree at Washington University in social work with a focus on providing mental health services to older adults. She was hired full time as a therapist and geriatric care manager in August 2009. In addition to holding two degrees in social work, Becky also earned a Masters Degree in Theology with a special focus in faith formation and spiritual care to provide services to those who struggle with issues of spirituality as they age. Becky previously worked as a case manager with older adults, in community advocacy and education programs for elders, with refugee resettlement, and with social services in a community court and county jail. Becky is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Oregon chapter of NASW.
R. Yvonne Fallert, MSW, ACSW, LCSW joined Pathways for Aging in 2009 after nearly twenty years of clinical social work experience at Barnes-Jewish Hospital working in mental health services on both an in-patient and out-patient basis. She also has experience working with alcohol and drug treatment. Yvonne earned her Masters in Social Work from St. Louis University and went on to receive a certificate in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry and Mental health Services. She is a member of the American Assocaiton for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Kristin Draeger, MSW, BSN, LCSW began working with Pathways for Aging in early 2010 after a twelve year career as a registered nurse followed by nearly ten years as a professional social worker. Kristin earned her nursing degree from Gustavus Adolphus College and her master’s degree in social work at New Mexico State University. She brings experience both as a health care provider and wellness educator in a variety of clinical and informal settings through individualized and group instruction. Kristin has also facilitated caregiver support groups and provided counseling to individuals and families struggling with issues of aging and illness. She has experience as a hospice and home care social worker who worked with families as they faced terminal illness and grief around death and dying. Most recently, Kristin provided services to clients and families at an adult day care center. Kristin is licensed in Missouri as both a registered nurse and licensed clinical social worker. She is a member of the American Nurses’ Association, Missouri Nurses’ Association, the National Association of Social Workers, and the Deaconess Parish Nurse Ministries.
