Pathways for Aging works to help our Aging Population improve Quality of Life so all can Age Well. We also provide Support, Guidance and Skills to the Families of older and disabled adults.
In an effort to meet the unique and growing needs of older adults in the St. Louis area, Pathways for Aging began providing in-home geriatric care management, counseling and therapy specifically intended for older adults in 2004. The primary goal of Pathways for Aging is to promote and improve the mental health and overall well-being of older adults, with specific objectives to improve mood, change negative and problematic behaviors, and increase the emotional and social functioning of clients. The agency is rooted in a social work model to serve the vastly growing aging population, and each year, both the number of clients and staff continues to increase and expand. Pathways for Aging is a group of professional clinical social workers who hold Masters Degrees in Social Work or Gerontology. All of our therapists are licensed in the state of Missouri and are Medicare approved mental health providers. All of the social workers on staff are experienced in working with older adults and their families
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 ability.
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 has also served as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Washington University in Saint Louis, where she instructed 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 the current President 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. Jeannie Krause-Taylor is available for interviews by contacting the office at Pathways for Aging.
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-An, MSW, MA, LCSW 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), served two terms on the Board of Directors of the Oregon chapter of NASW, is a volunteer with the Girl Scouts Beyond Bars program, and volunteers in community organizing with Call to Action.
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 and medical services. She also has experience working with alcohol and drug treatment. Yvonne earned her Masters in Social Work from St. Louis University and her B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Webster College. Yvonne then trained with the Karl Menninger School of Psychiatry and Mental Health Sciences in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is an AAMFT Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. She is also an ACSW member of 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.
Denise Johnson, MSW, LCSW joined the Pathways for Aging staff in July 2010 after more than seventeen years as a professional social worker. Denise holds two degrees in social work: her masters from St. Louis University and her bachelors from Southwest Missouri State University. Most recently, Denise has been working as a Medical Social Worker with a St. Louis area hospice where she provides support, counseling and resources for families and terminally ill patients. In the past, she served as the Director of Social Services and Social Worker at several nursing facilities. She has experience leading Alzheimer’s support groups and also providing job training and skills to individuals with mental illness. Denise is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Missouri and also serves as an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Sharon Olson Gilmore, MSW, LCSW started working as a therapist for Pathways for Aging in 2010 after 13 years experience as a professional social worker. Sharon worked for 13 years as a therapist at a very renowned agency in St. Louis, Kids in the Middle, helping kids and their families cope with the transitions of separation, divorce and remarriage. Sharon also has experience in the field of substance abuse, working in several hospital chemical dependency treatment programs for both adolescents and adults. Sharon has also worked at the former Incarnate Word Hospital, one of the only Geriatric hospitals in the St. Louis community in the Dept of Psychiatry. Sharon has also consulted with patients in nursing homes who had psychiatric diagnoses. Sharon received her Masters in Social Work degree from Washington University in St. Louis and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Missouri.
D. June Soule, MSW, LCSW joined the staff of Pathways for Aging in 2010 with more than 25 years of social work experience. June earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University where she first worked with clients in a counseling setting. Since then, June has worked with all ages from children to older adults. June has experience as a medical social worker with hospice where she served clients and their families in-home and in facilities by providing counseling, bereavement treatment, group counseling and family education. June also served as a therapist with the Family Resource Center where she worked with a wide range of clients dealing with, among other issues, depression, grief/loss, violence and mental illness. She also worked extensively with prevention programs for children and families at risk for child abuse, and she has lead groups for adult survivors. June is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Missouri and member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Barbara Glazer, MSW, LCSW joined the Pathways for Aging team in 2011. Barb is a veteran social worker who brings over 30 years of experience working with families at every stage of life. Barb has most recently provided home care services for families with aging, disability or health concerns. Her background includes therapy with children in school and behavioral health settings and provision of protective services for vulnerable children. In addition, Barb provided psychotherapy for several years in private and agency settings, which included individual, family, and marital therapy. She has also worked with patients with physical, death and dying, and mental health issues. Disaster mental health is an area in which Barb has been trained and has acquired work and volunteer experience. Barb obtained her Masters Degree in Social Work from St. Louis University and completed subsequent training from the Family Therapy Training Center at Washington University’s School of Social Work. She is also certified in the field of alcoholism and drug abuse. Barb is a licensed clinical social worker and a member of the Dementia Care Provider Association and the Alzheimer’s Association.
Jamie Perkhiser, MA, BSW came to Pathways for Aging as a Geriatric Care Manager in February of 2011. Jamie received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and then went on to earn her Master of Arts Degree in Gerontology from Lindenwood University. For 18 years, Jamie worked with Developmentally Disabled adults in a vocational program in Alton, Illinois. She also served as a Community Outreach Coordinator for an Elder Law Firm in Alton. Jamie currently facilitates two caregiver support groups in Illinois, one in Madison County and the other in St. Clair County. Jamie is a member of the Metro East Network for Developmentally Disabled Seniors and the Older Adults Health Council.
Gina Schuster, MSW, LCSW joined the Pathways for Aging team in 2011. Gina earned her masters degree in social work from St. Louis University and has more than 10 years experience in the social work field. Gina is a licensed clinical social worker in the state of Missouri and has provided crisis intervention, counseling, and community resource referrals to her clients in various settings. She started her career as a social worker at Barnes Jewish Hospital where she worked with cancer patients and facilitated a cancer support group. She relocated to Yuma, AZ temporarily and worked in a hospital, as a home healthcare social worker, and in hospice. Upon returning to the St. Louis area, Gina joined the SSM Hospital system and works with clients ranging in age from infancy to late life.
Erin Reynolds, MA in SSA, LCSW joined the Pathways for Aging team in 2011. Erin brings over ten years of experience working with individuals and families at every stage of life. Her background includes therapy with children in schools, homes and residential placement settings, provision of medical social work services for individuals with disabilities, crisis intervention, domestic violence and substance abuse counseling as well as services provided through her private practice. Erin earned her Masters Degree in Social Service Administration (equivalant to a Masters in Social Work) from The University of Chicago and is a licensed clinical social worker and a proud member of the National Associate of Social Workers - Missouri Chapter.
Shannon Cline, MSW, LCSW joins us from BJC after almost a decade as a social worker in the Emergency Department. She remains with BJC Homecare and fulfills our growing with clients in Saint Charles County for Pathways for Aging. Shannon earned her BA in Sociology from the University of Missouri-Columbia and her Master in Social Work degree from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. When Shannon is not assisting clients, she enjoys spending time with her family and hiking outdoors.
Jeanette Langton, MA, CAPS has a Master’s Degree in Gerontology and has spent over 20 years working with older adults and their families. She has a CAPS (Certified Aging in Place Specialist) designation from the National Home Builders Association, which certifies her expertise in modifying a home to be supportive of an older adult aging in place. She loves to do fine handwork such as needlepoint and smocking, is an avid reader (especially the New York Times), loves to travel and can explain how cultures as far apart as Belgium and Japan care for their older adults.
Julie Christy, MSW, LSAW has over twelve years experience in the social work field with her expertise being in crisis intervention focusing on suicide and homicide prevention. Julie has provided counseling in various settings including community mental health centers, jails, hospitals and client’s homes. For the past few years she has been providing counseling and linkage with resources to older adults and client’s with disabilities in their homes. Julie is knowledgeable of community resources and has experience assisting clients and families with the transition to placement. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from St. Louis University. Julie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the State of Missouri and is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. In her free time she enjoys running and traveling to South Florida.
Heidi Eickemeyer, MSW, LCSW joined us in October 2011 and has been in private practice since 1995. She is a 1993 graduate of Washington University’s School of Social Work. She has previously worked in geriatric psychiatry at Saint Louis University Hospital where she assisted older adults suffering from depression, anxiety, and other chronic mental illness. She also assisted the caregivers of her patients in dealing with their own caregiver associated stresses when helping their loved one. Heidi likes to spend her free time kickboxing or eating chocolate and not necessarily in that order! She also loves being with her family and friends doing any activity that involves a lot of laughter, hi jinx and play. In spirit, Heidi is a child at heart herself . Heidi likes working with older adults because she loves hearing about their life stories and what they have learned in their own life so far. She appreciates learning what they feel what life is all about and values their wisdom.
Paul Chandler, CPC joined Pathways for Aging in March 2011 as the Office Manager after seven years in the financial and education managerial settings. He has worked in the office aspect of the medical field for the past five years. Paul has earned his Associate of Arts in Communication. In June 2012 he will complete his Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management. Paul is a Certified Professional Coder and is the Secretary/Treasurer of the American Academy of Professional Coders-Saint Louis East Chapter.
