Riverside Care Advisors

01/27/2026

Meet our new Physical Therapist & Riverside Care Manager Donna Ferlito-Brown 👋

Donna has been a physical therapist for 42 years! In that time, she has worked in a variety of healthcare systems and in home health care settings, including
👉 acute care hospitals
👉 acute rehab
👉 skilled nursing facilities
👉 in home
👉 assisted living
👉 adult day health sites

"I treat my clients like they are family members and try to improve their functional mobility, strength and more importantly, to allow them to live independently and safely in their home environment."

Donna is passionate about cooking for family and friends, spending time with her husband, three adult children, their spouses and especially with her two grandsons. She also loves travelling in the country and abroad, daily walks with her dog Izzy, gardening and enjoying her home and yard.

01/16/2026

Support animals don’t just offer companionship, they make days brighter for our Life Enrichment Clients. 💛🐾

01/13/2026

Celebrating 4 Years of Excellence – Christel Charlesworth
Today, we are proud to celebrate Christel Charlesworth, LICSW, Certified Montessori Dementia Care Practitioner, for four years of dedicated, compassionate, and truly inspiring work as a Life Enrichment Specialist at Riverside Care Advisors.
Christel genuinely loves what she does—and it shows. When you ask her about her beloved clients, she speaks with pure joy and enthusiasm, sharing stories of connection, creativity, and meaningful moments. Her work goes far beyond activities; she enriches lives, fosters dignity, and creates purpose for individuals living with dementia and complex needs.
Through her expertise in Montessori-based dementia care, Christel designs thoughtful, individualized experiences that support engagement, autonomy, and emotional well-being. Her clinical background as a LICSW allows her to approach each client with insight, empathy, and deep understanding—making her an invaluable resource not only to the clients and families we serve, but also to her coworkers who regularly rely on her knowledge and guidance.
Christel’s impact is felt every day—in the lives she touches, the families she supports, and the team members she uplifts. We are incredibly grateful for her dedication, her heart, and the meaningful work she brings to Riverside Care Advisors.
Thank you, Christel, for four amazing years—and for the many lives you continue to enrich.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year from Riverside Care Advisors! ✨

As we welcome 2026, our team is grateful for the trust families place in us to walk alongside them in their care journey.

This year, we remain committed to:
✅ Supporting older adults and their families with compassion
✅ Providing guidance through complex care decisions
✅ Ensuring every client has the highest possible quality of life

From all of us at Riverside Care Advisors, we wish you a year filled with health, joy, and peace.

📞 617-686-2960

rstare@riversidecareadvisors.com

🌐 www.riversidecareadvisors.com

12/24/2025

12/16/2025

Chronic stress and tension in older adults don’t just affect mood—they impact memory, sleep, digestion, and long-term brain health.

A 2020 meta-analysis found that older adults with high stress levels face a 24% higher risk of developing dementia—on par with the risk from diabetes.

But here’s the hopeful news:
When stress is addressed early and effectively, that added risk can disappear.

At Riverside Care Advisors, we offer an alternative, nurse-led approach for managing stress gently and naturally.

✨ Holistic Wellness Consultations with Rhiannon Stare, RN
✔️ One-hour personalized consultation
✔️ Three follow-up phone calls for continued support
✔️ Focused on reducing stress and tension through:
– Education on nervous system health
– Breathwork and gentle movement
– Plant-based therapeutic strategies
– Mind-body lifestyle shifts tailored to older adults

These sessions are ideal for older adults who want to:
🌿 Sleep better
🌿 Feel more calm and grounded
🌿 Improve focus and energy
🌿 Support long-term cognitive wellness

📞 Ready to learn more or schedule your consultation? Call 617-686-2960
🌐 www.riversidecareadvisors.com

Let’s make space for peace—in the body, the mind, and the aging journey.

12/09/2025

Hospital Discharge: What to Ask Before Going Home
Leaving the hospital can feel overwhelming, especially if you or your loved one will be recovering at home without full-time medical care. From medications and wound care to rehab and diet, there’s a lot to consider to ensure a safe recovery.
Key Questions to Ask Before You Go Home:

Do I fully understand my discharge instructions?
What medications do I need, and how should I take them?
How do I care for surgical sites or wounds?

Will I need physical, occupational, or speech therapy or more help in the home with basic tasks?

How soon should I expect to feel better and return to normal activities?
Are there special dietary instructions I need to follow?
Even after discharge, questions may arise. Having a trusted aging life care manager professional to guide you and your family can make all the difference. We can be the boots on the ground and we do not take a cookie cutter approach to our clients - our services are based on the needs of each client and their family.
Riverside Care Advisors can help you navigate your recovery and answer questions so you or your loved one can feel confident and supported at home.

📞 Call Rhiannon Stare at 617-686-2960 to find out more information about the cost of our services.
✉️ Email: rstare@riversidecareadvisors.com
🌐 Visit us: www.riversidecareadvisors.com

12/02/2025

Choosing the Right Memory Care: Assisted Living vs. Dedicated Memory Care 🧠

When a loved one is living with dementia, families often face a difficult decision: Where is the best place for care? Two common options are assisted living with a memory care wing or a stand-alone memory care community. Both offer support, but with key differences:

🏡 Assisted Living Memory Care

Provides daily living support with access to amenities & activities

Often has a dedicated wing for dementia care with trained staff

Familiar environment if the person already lives there

May have fewer staff per resident and less specialized training than dedicated facilities

🌟 Dedicated Memory Care Communities

Built specifically for people with dementia

Secure, structured environments designed to reduce confusion

Higher staff-to-resident ratios with dementia-specific training

24/7 support and tailored programs for behavior and safety needs

Coverage: Typically private pay; limited Medicaid/long-term care insurance options

❤️ Emotional Factors

Assisted living may feel more familiar and homelike, especially if your loved one already lives there

Dedicated memory care often provides greater peace of mind and specialized support

👉 At Riverside Care Advisors, we help families evaluate both options, tour communities, review costs, and make the choice that fits your loved one’s unique needs — knowing that the decision isn’t always permanent and can be revisited as care needs change.

📞 Contact us today to learn how we can guide your family through this important decision.

www.riversidecareadvisors.com
617-686-2960
rstare@riversidecareadvisors.com

11/27/2025

🦃🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from Riverside Care Advisors! 🍂🦃

Today we pause with gratitude—for our clients, their families, and the trust you place in us each day. We are honored to walk alongside you, supporting independence, dignity, and quality of life.

From our team to yours, may your holiday be filled with warmth, connection, and cherished moments with the people who matter most.

With gratitude,

Rhiannon Stare
The Riverside Care Advisors Team

11/25/2025

“I left the doctor’s office more confused than when I walked in…”
Sound familiar? Medical appointments can be overwhelming—fast conversations, unfamiliar terms, and limited time to ask questions often leave older adults and families feeling stressed and unsure.

That’s where Riverside Care Advisors comes in.
Our professional Aging Life Care Managers—with a trained clinical ear—can:
✅ Coordinate and schedule all of your medical appointments
✅ Provide safe transportation to and from each visit
✅ Sit alongside you to listen, advocate, and clarify what’s being said
✅ Ensure your questions get answered
✅ Follow up afterward so next steps are clear
✅ Communicate important updates to family members and caregivers so everyone stays on the same page

No more wondering if you remembered everything correctly or feeling rushed out the door. We make sure you leave each appointment feeling informed, confident, and supported.

📞 Call us at 617-686-2960 or visit www.riversidecareadvisors.com to learn how we can help.

Riverside Care Advisors — Compassion. Guidance. Peace of Mind.

11/18/2025

After a Dementia Diagnosis: What Comes Next?

Hearing the words “dementia diagnosis” can bring a flood of emotions — anxiety, sadness, overwhelm, even relief at finally having answers. But once the diagnosis is made, many families ask: “What do we do now?”

Here are some first steps to guide you:

✅ Understand the diagnosis — Learn from reliable sources (doctors, Alzheimer’s Association, National Institute on Aging). Avoid misinformation online. Seek a consultation from Rhiannon Stare, RN, CMC, Owner of Riverside Care Advisors
✅ Ensure safety at home — Tools like medication organizers, stove safety k***s, and GPS-enabled devices can make daily life safer.
✅ Build your team — From physicians and therapists to care managers and elder law attorneys, having trusted professionals in place reduces stress.
✅ Get organized — Keep track of appointments, medications, and support systems with shared calendars and planning routines.
✅ Update legal documents — Early planning for power of attorney, wills, and advance directives ensures your loved one’s wishes are honored.
✅ Seek support — Local senior resources, caregiver support groups, and counseling can provide relief for both you and your loved one.
✅ Plan ahead — Dementia is progressive. Explore future care options now while also embracing moments of joy in the present.

At Riverside Care Advisors, we help families navigate every stage of dementia with compassion and expertise — from understanding care needs to planning for the future. You don’t have to face this journey alone. Call and ask about our Consultations for Care Management and plant based solutions for dementia related behaviors. We also have three highly qualified and professional Life Enrichment Specialists to spend time with your loved one.

Reach out today to learn how we can support you and your family.

www.riversidecareadvisors.com
617-686-2960
rstare@riversidecareadvisors.com