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Bob Jagers was born in Chicago in 1922.  He later moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he attended Aquinas College.  After two years of school, Bob enlisted in the Navy.  He was assigned to a very large transport vessel called a Landing Ship Tank, or LST.  Bob was involved in four invasions, including the Normandy invasion at Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944.  Bob was later decorated for his role in treating wounded soldiers during the D-Day invasion.  Bob returned home, and married his wife, Rose, in 1946.  He later received both Bachelors and Masters degrees in Chemical Engineering.  He worked for Chrysler Corporate for more than 20 years, and retired in 1979.  Since then, Mr. Jagers, at the age of 88, stays young by tutoring kids every week.  He has authored two books, “Whales of WWII” and a book for kids, “The Inedible BLT”.  To reach Mr. Jagers, or order one of his books, email him at rbjagers@hotmail.com.

Raised in Ohio, Leslie Finkley knew early on that she wanted to work with seniors.  After graduating from University of Virginia with her Masters in Counseling, she thought she would have a career counseling seniors.  She soon discovered that not too many seniors wanted the advice of a 24 year old!  Consequently, Leslie decided to start working with seniors to get them more involved in day to day activities.  This seemed to hit their sweet spot, and hers as well.  Today, Leslie loves her job as the Activities Director at Arbor Terrace at Crabapple, where she helps her residents stay engaged through all different types of activities.  At the same time, she now offers her counseling service to residents on a weekly basis!  Leslie can be reached at 770-649-1009, or visit the community at www.at-crabapple.com.

To do justice to PK Beville’s resume’ would take many, many pages!  She holds an MS in Clinical Psychology from Eastern Kentucky University, is a Certified Medical Assistant and a Certified General Mediator.  She is the CEO of Geriatric Specialists, and is the Founder and President of Second Wind Dreams, a non-profit organization that is committed to both education of Caregivers, and to the fulfillment of Seniors’ dreams.  One of PK’s most important achievements is the development of a program called the Virtual Dementia Tour.  This program gives hope to those affected with Alzheimers and other dementia-related illnessses by giving family caregivers and healthcare professionals a glimpse into the world of the Dementia patient.  This is done through a visual, sensory and tactical simulation that is absolutely eye-opening to participants!  To learn more about the Virtual Dementia Tour, Second Wind Dreams or Geriatric Specialists, contact PK at (678) 624-0500, or email her at pk@secondwind.org.  Visit their website at www.secondwind.org.

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Originally from Maine, close to the Canadian border, Sharon McNair was destined to work with seniors.  She grew up in a home where both her grandparents and her great grandparents lived in the house.  She went off to schoo, and ultimately received a Masters degree in Gerontology.  Sharon began her career as a social worker in a skilled nursing facility.  In the mid-80s, Sharon wanted her parents to be close to her, so she put them on the waiting list at Gwinnett Christian Terrace.  Not long after that, she went to work for Gwinnett Christian Terrace, and has been the Administrator ever since – nearly 25 years!

Tomie Galbreath is a world traveler!  Born in West Virginia and raised in Texas, Tomie eventually ended up back in Atlanta with her husband.  When she came to Gwinnett Christian Terrace to be the Activities Director and Service Coordinator seven years ago, she had no real experience working with seniors.  According to Tomie, she thought to herself, “Well, I’m a senior, what would I be interested in?  What would draw me out of my apartment?”  She hasn’t looked back since, and tells us that she finds her job so rewarding because she gets to see reluctant residents “blossom and come out of their shells.”  Tomie and Sharon can be reached at (770) 925-2300.  You can also visit their website at www.christianterrace.com.

Dr. Joe Hannan is an Internist by trade.  Raised in New Jersey, and educated at Gettysburg College, Dr. Hannan received his medical education in Europe.  He returned to the US to do his residency.  When his partner offered up three clients in a skilled nursing facility, Dr. Hannan was quick to accept.  Over the years, he has focused his practice on the senior community.  Today, Dr. Hannan is the Medical Director for two Manor Care facilities in the Atlanta area.  He also serves several other facilities and a hospice.  To reach Dr. Hannan at Manor Care, just look for the guy with the baseball hat and the crazy tie!

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Caroline Griswold grew up wanting to make a difference in peoples’ lives.  A Gwinnett County resident since the age of six, Caroline received her Associates Degree in Behavioral Science from Georgia Military College, then went on to University of Georgia to get her Bachelors Degree in Social Work.  Caroline observed social workers making a huge difference when her grandmother struggled with cancer at an early age, and it made a lasting impact on her.  Today, Caroline is a Social Worker at Gwinnett Medical Center’s Center for Neurosciences.  She loves her work there because she has the opportunity and the encouragement to put patients and families first!  Caroline can be reached at (678) 312-066, or via email at cgriswold@gwinnettmedicalcenter.org. 

Chuck and Dara McMillian are the owners of a unique company called My Accessable Home.  Though there are a few other companies in the Atlanta area that specialize in renovations for seniors and disabled adults, their business is unique in that they bring a wholistic approach to the process.  This is due, in large part, to Dara’s background in social work.  Dara grew up in a family of health care professionals.  She received her Masters in Social Work from Boston University, and spent more than a decade as a social worker and a geriatric care coordinator.  Dara moved to the Atlanta are in 1996.  Chuck McMillan, on the other hand, grew up in Sandy Springs.  He has spent most of his career in the remodeling business.  Blending the talents of the two McMillans has resulted in an incredible benefit to their clients as they truly understand both the physical and social needs of their clients and what will be needed to make their home safe to live in as they age.  Chuck and Dara can be reached at (770) 715-5242.  Visit them on the web at www.myaccessablehome.com.

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Jennifer Thilo will tell you that she has one of the best jobs in the world.  After listening to her residents rave about Delmar Gardens, we think you may agree.  Jennifer has been the Executive Director of Delmar Gardens of Gwinnett for nearly 15 years.  After majoring in English and Poetry, it was natural for her to gravitate toward serving the senior population (Hmmm…).  Jennifer attributes the success of her community to the incredible team that supports her on a daily basis.  We think it may have to do with the fact that there’s no job that she asks her staff to do that she wouldn’t do herself (including driving the bus!)

One of the most important roles in Delmar Gardens’ skilled nursing community is the Director of Social Services.  Hilly Beckford accomplishes this task with enthusiasm and passion.  Even as a teenager, Hilly says that she enjoyed her mom’s friends more than the kids her own age.  She agrees with Jennifer with respect to the team of professionals that comprise the Delmar Gardens family.  Hilly notes, “Walls don’t give people care, people do”.  This philosophy seems to permeate the entire Delmar Gardens team.

For the first time, Eugeria! Radio had the privilege of chatting directly with a number of individuals that are on the receiving end of the senior services market.  Their stories are funny and compelling.  Doris Anderson is from Norfolk, Virginia.  She is the Resident Counci President, and is active in the Bridge Club.  She’s been a resident of Delmar Gardens for four years.  Her advice  to our listeners is to stay upbeat, have faith, and don’t worry! 

Olympia LaMattina moved to Delmar Gardens with her husband just over two years ago.  After his passing, Olympia tells us that the community at Delmar Gardens rallied around her to help her realize that she had friends there that were committed to supporting her through the grieving process.  Salty Wyatt was captured in the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.  He spent 4 1/2 months as a prisoner of war, then went back and spent 15 years as a hurricane hunter.  After an additional 22 years with Wachovia, he finally retired.  His wife, Lillian’s claim to fame is that she put up with him for so many years.  She wishes he would go back to work!  (Just kidding!)