Meet Kathy
Kathryn Freda is a Gerontologist, Eldercare Consultant, and owner of Sage Solutions, LLC. Ms. Freda has over 18 years experience helping older adults and their families by optimizing the services and options available to them.
Freda holds a master’s degree in Human Development/gerontology from Saint Joseph College and is a Certified Care Manager (CMC) by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers. She served on the State of Connecticut Commission on Aging for three terms, including two years as Chairperson, and she has completed the Mediation Certificate Program at Quinnipiac University School of Law as well as an advanced Elder/Adult Family Mediation training program.
In addition, Ms. Freda has completed the Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care curriculum through the National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners. Ms. Freda has also completed the University of Massachusetts Medical School’s eight week Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course, a renowned training program centered on mindfulness meditation and increased self awareness. Ms. Freda has extensive training and experience in holistic health education, including 160 hours of Holistic Lifestyle Educator training at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, MA.
Her unique background, both in the field of aging and in holistic health, has inspired her to create a wellness model for aging adults, rather than an illness model. Through a confluence of knowledge, experience, and creativity, Ms. Freda’s methodology has evolved into an individual, customized planning approach that is designed to improve the quality of life for her clients.
Meet Kate
Kate Thaisz is a geriatric care manager with over a decade of experience working with elders, their families, and other related professionals. Kate holds a master’s degree in Human Development and Gerontology from St. Joseph College and is a Certified Care Manager (CMC) by the National Academy of Certified Care Managers.
Kate began her career in the field of aging with the CT Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association where, among other things, she led support groups, trainings, assisted with Helpline phone calls, as well as program development.
From there, Kate joined Connecticut Community Care Inc. (CCCI) as a Care Manager. At CCCI, Kate worked directly with older adults performing assessments, creating care plans, as well as ongoing monitoring and follow up. In addition, Kate worked with the disabled (under 65) population and their unique needs.
Kate then joined an elder law firm to assist them in assessing the viability of keeping their older clients in their homes and/or transitioning them from a skilled nursing facility back into the community. She is well-versed in the many state and federal assistance programs available to elders as well as home and safety assessment and modification. Kate also shares the special passion of working individuals with memory impairment.
Meet Casey
Casey McGannon is a gerontologist who also earned her master’s in human development/gerontology from Saint Joseph College. She was Director of Programs and Education for the Alzheimer’s Association in Connecticut for three years, before moving to Prince Edward Island in 2005. She owned and operated a Home Instead Senior Care office there for six years, working day to day with Island seniors and their families to ensure they had to most appropriate level of care and were apprised of all care options available.
She coordinated a two-year education project with the Alzheimer Society of PEI working with first responders and long-term care facilities on understanding issues of wandering and methods to avoid flight risk. She also co-facilitated a two-day course for professionals at the University of Prince Edward Island Centre for Lifelong Learning “Heightening Health Care Professionals to the Realities and Subtleties of Dementia.”
For the last four years, Casey was the Grief Support Coordinator for Hospice PEI, and as a member of the Integrated Palliative Care Team, worked collaboratively with volunteers, medical and administrative staff and most importantly, families and individuals at the end of their lives to ensure they all received compassionate, caring support.
Casey has returned to her home and brings her expertise in holistic care at end of life and care for individuals living with dementia to Sage Solutions.