Aging Well Rochester has been offering private elder care consultation and care services in Monroe County, Rochester, NY for over 31 years. We are a private, professional team of Aging Life Care Professionals who are experienced in partnering with families to find a solution designed to help your loved one age well. We have extensive expertise in working with frail, older adults with multiple chronic physical illnesses and/or who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.
Worry free, confidential & compassionate care for parents. That’s what we do!
Professionals you can trust
Every member of our team of Care Managers is a licensed Social Worker or Registered Nurse with extensive expertise in geriatrics. This professional expertise and the personal attention that our Aging Life Care Professionals provide is one of the significant differences that distinguish us from other practices. As licensed Social Workers and Registered Nurses we do not accept any commissions from community agencies. This means that you can be confident that the advice we share with your family is genuine.
Marsha Raines, LMSW, C-ASWCM
Founder and President is a New York State Licensed Social Worker and Certified Case Manager
• BA degree in Gerontology – State University of New York at Buffalo
• MS degree, with a specialization in Aging, Columbia University School of Social Work
• NYS Licensed Master Social Worker
• Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-ASWCM)
• Certified Dementia Practitioner
Professional Memberships
• Aging Life Care Association
• National Association of Social Workers
• Greater Rochester Partnership for the Elderly
Marsha is certified both as an Advanced Social Work Case Manager and as an Aging Life Care Professional. These nationally recognized advanced credentials are only available to licensed Social Workers who have demonstrated proven professional training and experience in case management.
Denise Brown, BSN RN CRRN CMC
Denise is a Registered Nurse with over 29 years of experience in developing, implementing and monitoring effective home care plans for frail and/or confused clients. Denise’s nursing expertise includes geriatrics, stroke rehabilitation, cardio pulmonary and oncology. Denise’s professional memberships include the Association of Rehabilitation Nurses and the National League for Nursing. Denise is a Certified Care Manager and a proud member of the Aging Life Care Association.
Kirsten Shea, LMSW
Kirsten has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Nazareth College and a Master of Social Work degree from Syracuse University. She has extensive professional experience as a Medical Social Worker, with special expertise in working with medically frail and / or confused older adults and with palliative care and end of life issues. As a Certified Social Worker, Kirsten provides compassionate support and counseling services for care giving families and older adults.
Sue Stuckless, LCSW
Sue earned her Bachelor of Arts from SUNY Empire University and her Master of Social Work from Syracuse University. She is a licensed clinical social worker. Sue has extensive professional experience working with elders and families in hospitals, mental health centers and nursing homes. Sue believes that compassion is the cornerstone of her work with elders.
Julia McAndrew, BSN RN MS NP
Julia is a Nurse Practitioner with extensive professional experience in women’s health issues. She has a Master of Science in Women’s Health from the State University of New York at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Daemen College. Julia is Certified in PRI & Screen assessments. A valued member of our team, Julia is respected for her geriatric expertise and compassionate manner.
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Our history
As a child, I was very close with my grandmother, Esther. As a young adult, it was heart breaking to witness my beloved grandmother’s slow decline and the difficulties my care giving mother had finding resources to help. This was my motivation for preparing for a career in aging. I studied Gerontology at the University of Buffalo and then obtained a Master Degree in Social Work with a concentration in Aging at Columbia University. Working as a Social Worker for several Jewish Community Centers, I witnessed how families struggled with a complex and fragmented service delivery system.
I founded Aging Well Rochester in 1988 as “Marsha Raines & Associates.” My vision was to create a practice that would focus on providing advice and assistance to families struggling with elder care issues. My goal was to provide an option for families seeking an alternative to working with a traditional social service agency. My commitment was to use my geriatric expertise and knowledge of community resources to find a customized solution designed to help elders live comfortably and safely in our community.
Over thirty years of practice, I have developed strong relationships with colleagues at home health service agencies, elder care attorneys, senior residences, nursing homes and other community agencies. I enjoy sharing my in-depth knowledge of community resources with the families I work with so we can customize a care plan that is “just right” for their parent. Of course, as a licensed social worker, I do not accept any kind of commissions or referral fees so families can be sure that my advice and referrals are what I genuinely consider the right fit for their loved one.
My practice expanded rapidly over the years and I am tremendously proud of our reputation as the premier Aging Life Care Professional practice in Rochester. I find it incredibly rewarding to partner with families to untangle the complexities of elder care, navigate the service delivery system and help their aging loved ones “Age Well.”
On a personal note, I have been happily married for 36 years and am the mother of three fantastic young adults. I have lived in the Brighton community for 33 years. I have personal experience with care giving as my father suffered from multiple chronic health issues and my dear mother had Alzheimer’s Disease. I’ve been there, the daughter with teenagers, a full-time job with way too much on my plate and horribly anxious about how to best help my parents!
After 30 years of practice, I can honestly say that I love my career! The best part has been getting to know and work intimately with so many families. No matter what your ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation, I welcome the opportunity to get to know you and explore how I can partner with your family to help the elder in your life. It would be my honor to get to know your family.
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How we are different
What makes an Aging Life Care Manager stand apart from the others is the commitment to stay focused on the needs of the client and family. Others may offer services for less, but what you receive cannot help but be influenced by the payment structure.
Hospital- or insurance-based case managers are employees of the health care system. They are good professionals. Their focus, however, is to address the issues of patients within the institution and to make efficient use of services for their organization.
We are based in the community and work with aging adults wherever they live. We provide continuity of care across all settings. We include the family and focus on improving quality of life for the older adult and their grown children.
Senior advisors are paid referral fees to suggest elder care facilities. As a general rule, they have a more limited sphere of knowledge and do not hold a professional degree needed to give them expertise in the 8 key areas of elder care. Only those facilities willing to pay a finder’s fee will be included in their list of suggestions. There may be a more appropriate option, but it will not be mentioned if the facility does not pay for referrals.
Because we are paid directly by you, we are independent and objective. Our focus is 100% on the needs of your family and your aging loved ones. We apply our considerable skill and years of training to your unique situation.
When the issue is safety and quality of life, you deserve the best!
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