General Manager
Emily Rizzie is a dedicated Geriatric Care Manager with a commitment to enhancing the well-being of her clients and their families. Emily holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from San Diego State University and a Masters in Gerontology from San Francisco State. She is currently finishing a second Masters in Social Work through the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma, a family alma mater.
Emily has worked in the field of aging and long term care for 15 years, including healthcare and community based settings. She specializes in assessment and care planning and intervention strategies. A critical thinker and problem solver, Emily is skilled in negotiating complex dynamics and enjoys supporting her clients in meeting their goals. Emily naturally builds rapport and emphasizes the importance of trust within the client and care manager relationship. She is a collaborative partner with her clients and community providers, and is experienced in dementia care and guardianship cases.
Born and raised in southern California, Emily spent much of her career in the San Francisco Bay Area. She relocated to Portland in 2017, and appreciates the quality of life, and natural beauty, of the Pacific Northwest. Outside of work and graduate school, Emily stays busy with her two young children who keep her curious and always learning.
According to the Aging Life Care® Association website, An Aging Life Care Professional, also known as a geriatric care manager, is a health and human services specialist who acts as a guide and advocate for families who are caring for older relatives or disabled adults. The Aging Life Care Professionals® is educated and experienced in any of several fields related to Aging Life Care / care management, including, but not limited to counseling, gerontology, mental health, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychology, or social work; with a specialized focus on issues related to aging and elder care.The Aging Life Care Professional assists clients in attaining their maximum functional potential. The individual’s independence is encouraged, while safety and security concerns are also addressed. Aging Life Care Professionals are able to address a broad range of issues related to the well-being of their client. They also have extensive knowledge about the costs, quality, and availability of resources in their communities.
Patients we accept include:
- Older adults with or without the support of nearby relatives.
- Older adults who need help with everyday tasks, but don't require nursing care.
- Patients suffering from dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
- Older adults struggling with complex medical needs.
Care Managers can be nurses, social workers, physical therapists, psychologists or other related professionals and are typically licensed in their specialty.
Our geriatric care management (GCM) services are private-pay. Medicare/insurance does not cover GCM services, and we do not accept Medicaid. Depending on individual policies, some long-term care (LTC) policies will cover the cost (in part or in whole) of GCM services. Please check with your LTC company regarding your policy prior to scheduling an appointment.
A care management client assessment is a comprehensive psychosocial tool that care managers utilize to evaluate an individual’s medical, emotional, mental and physical health in order to develop a coordinated plan to maximize overall health with aging.
Aging Life Care Association is the professional organization for professional care managers.
