Sheila Ohstrom serves as the President and Co-Founder of Living with Dementia Inc., a non-profit organization that aims to assist caregivers of individuals living with dementia by providing access to support, education, resources, and respite. The organization offers caregiver training, programs, county-based educational summits, and respite care for caregivers across seven Central NY counties: Onondaga, Madison, Oswego, Cayuga, Cortland, Oneida, and Herkimer.

Sheila also works as a part-time consultant for Ichor Research doing community outreach and marketing about local clinical research studies focused on Alzheimer’s disease.

Prior to that she was CEO and Founder of Senior Home Care Solutions, a companion care company that cared for seniors with a specialty in dementia care from 2010 to 2025. She also founded Dementia Training Solutions which specialized in training nationally for facilities, caregivers, and families on skills to work with loved ones with all types of dementia.

Sheila is a certified Teepa Snow Trainer, Consultant, Coach, and Engagement Specialist. Sheila is an alum of Alfred University holding a BS in Business. Sheila joined the health care industry after a diverse career in management in the Petroleum Industry, Telecom, and Pharmaceuticals because of a personal connection with dementia. Sheila is also an active member of the community in various organizations.

Melissa Murphy, a dedicated Aging Life Care Professional ®, Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP), and Certified Care Manager (CMC), is the esteemed Founder and CEO of Aging Advocates CNY.

With over a decade of profound experience in the aging field, Melissa stands as a beacon of expertise and compassion and is often referred to as a visionary for the future of aging services.

Melissa’s journey in eldercare began in senior housing where she uncovered a common trend among families. They were overwhelmed, underprepared, and in dire need of professional guidance. Melissa knew she had an opportunity to meet this need through unbiased advocacy with her expertise in various facets of eldercare, including care management, housing solutions, dementia care, and care consulting.

Kim Staiger is an advocate for those who need assistance for a better quality of life, no matter their age.  Over the course of nearly 20 years in healthcare in Central New York, she has found a special fondness for elders.

 As the Director of Admissions and Marketing for Loretto Housing, Kim is a compassionate responder to the needs of our community.  She lives the Loretto mission of providing care for those who need it, allowing them to continue living their lives with purpose, wholeness, and dignity.

 A life-long Central New Yorker, Kim has devoted her career to healthcare and helping people live their lives with purpose and dignity. In 2007 she began her work in homecare, assisting elders in the community with staff and services to keep them in their homes. In this role Kim’s specialty was outreach to those with Traumatic Brain Injuries.  It remains one of her proudest accomplishments – to watch as people who once doubted their independence achieve it.

 Kim joined Loretto in 2010 as an Admission Representative. In this role Kim was responsible for some of the most sensitive situations involving elders: those who are not safely living in their homes.  Kim devoted time and energy to make these cases a priority and ensure these people achieved better quality of life in assisted living.

 Understanding that loved ones looking for solutions are seeking empathetic, qualified help navigating health challenges and growing older, Kim is a solution-oriented leader who puts people first.   It’s the fundamental perspective she brought to her six years as Administrator of Loretto’s Buckley Landing facility, prior to taking her skills to the role of Director of Admissions and Marketing.  She considers it an honor to help families in Central New York.

 In addition to her work at Loretto, Kim has been active with the United Way’s charity work for many years.

Stefanie is a passionate and dedicated professional with extensive experience in aging life care management and recreation therapy. As a former Recreation Therapy Director at a skilled nursing facility, Stefanie led programs that promote the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of residents, ensuring a holistic approach to care. In addition to this experience, Stefanie's resume includes working as an Aging Life Care Manager, guiding families through the complexities of aging and ensuring that older adults receive the support and care they need to live fulfilling lives.

Committed to supporting the broader community, Stefanie volunteers at a local dementia care community, providing companionship and specialized support to individuals living with dementia. 

Stefanie is also an advocate for policy change and has worked tirelessly to advance critical issues such as animal protection and common sense gun safety. Through advocacy and public engagement, Stefanie has played an instrumental role in advocating for policies that make communities safer and more compassionate. Additionally, Stefanie has launched a campaign for local office, and has worked on state-wide political campaigns. 

Alison serves as the Manager of Kinney Home Services at KPH where they oversee the seamless integration of services across IV infusion therapy, durable medical equipment (DME), retail pharmacy, and specialty pharmacy. In this role, Alison ensures that patients receive timely and coordinated care by facilitating communication between care facilities and services through KPH.

With a strong focus on quality, efficiency, and patient experience, Alison plays a key role in streamlining referral processes and supporting the delivery of comprehensive care solutions. Her commitment to collaboration and attention to detail help maintain continuity of care and uphold the high standards of service excellence that define KPH.

Linda Johnstone is an Executive Director with a passion for helping others. With several years of experience in the personal service industry, she has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to helping those in need.

Throughout her career, Linda has been recognized for many accolades including the Friends of Social Work Award from The University of Rochester Medical Center and the 2021 CNY Nonprofit Executive Director of the Year. She thrives on helping those with complex challenges and fostering positive outcomes. Linda is known for her dedication to seniors in the community, which makes her a sought-after expert in the Adult Day Service industry.

As the Executive Director at Silver Fox Adult Day Centers, Linda continues to make a significant impact by leading two vibrant locations that serve a large 4-county area in Central New York. She has built the area’s strongest team of elder-care aides, and oversees all aspects of each location, including operations, activities, staffing and more.

John M. Murphy Jr., Esq. is the Founder and Owner of Safe Harbor Wills and Trusts. John founded the company to help families protect their home and life savings from catastrophic long-term care costs and other possible creditors.

In addition to running the company, John is on the faculty of the National Business Institute, where he writes legal content and teaches continuing education credits for attorneys and financial professionals.

John is also an adjunct teacher for Atticus Attorney, the premier coaching program for small and medium-sized law firms across the country.

John and his wife, Janne have been married since 1992. They have 4 adult children and 2 dogs. In his off time, John enjoys golfing and traveling with his wife.

Born and raised in Syracuse, New York, Barbara Carter takes great pride in serving the community she has always called home. As a licensed Realtor® with Hunt Real Estate ERA, she specializes in assisting buyers and sellers throughout Onondaga County and the surrounding areas, helping them achieve their real estate goals with confidence and clarity.

Barbara holds several professional designations, including Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES®), Pricing Strategy Advisor (PSA), and Buyer Specialist. These credentials, combined with her client-first approach, allow her to effectively guide first-time homebuyers, support seniors navigating major life transitions, and help homeowners strategically position their properties for maximum value. She is committed to delivering exceptional service, clear communication, and strong results at every stage of the transaction.

Passionate about her work, Barbara finds great fulfillment in helping clients navigate one of the most important decisions of their lives while building lasting, trusted relationships along the way.

Outside of real estate, Barbara enjoys spending time with her son at local sporting events, vintage shopping, and caring for her ever-growing collection of plants. Together, they are actively involved in volunteering and giving back to the community through local events and neighborhood initiatives. Community involvement is deeply important to Barbara, and she values the opportunity to instill those same values in her son.

Kelly Parisi brings more than 25 years of experience in the field of communication disorders. She holds a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families navigating complex cognitive and communication challenges.

Kelly’s work is deeply informed by personal experience. She was a devoted caregiver to her mother, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia, an experience that continues to shape her compassionate, person-centered approach to care and education.

She is a certified PAC Trainer and Certified Consultant, providing training to healthcare professionals and guidance to families seeking practical strategies for dementia care.