Western Region-Aging Life Care Association

11/18/2025

Making plans for next year's travel? Save the date!
Conference rates open for several days before AND after the conference for your extension to explore the area!

11/09/2025

11/06/2025

Carol S. Heape, MSW, CMC is a long standing member of our Western Region. Even after a stroke, she continues to share her story in the hopes of helping others.

I never truly understood what a brain injury meant — until I had a stroke. It came as a complete shock: unexpected, untimely, and incredibly disruptive. I had no idea

10/31/2025

Ghostly Greetings from your Western Region PR Team! Happy Halloween ALCA members!

10/19/2025

Congratulations to Liz Heape-Caldwell!
Way to represent the best in the region!

Liz started coming to the Aging Life Care Association conferences as a student, out of encouragement by her mother, who founded Elder Options, Inc.. She is a true leader and will soon be stepping into her role as President of the Western Region Board of Directions for Western Region Chapter of ALCA.

With devotion, passion, education, and determination, Liz has proven that Aging Life Care (TM) is an excellent path for serving others and building a rewarding career.

Congratulations to Liz Heape-Caldwell, BS, MBA, CMC, who recently became a Fellow of the Leadership Academy! Liz joined the Aging Life Care Association as a student member in 2010 and currently serves as President Elect of the Western Region Board, where she continues to make a lasting impact through her leadership and committee involvement.

With more than 20 years in the field, Liz has been a cornerstone of Elder Options since 2003, recognized nationally with the BJ Curry Spitler Award (2022) and the Rose Kleiner Award (2024) for her outstanding contributions to the profession. She joins 29 other Aging Life Care Advanced Professionals as Fellows of the Leadership Academy, an honor that reflects her dedication to advancing quality care, advocacy, and dignity for older adults and their families.

ALCA confers the "Fellow" designation to Advanced Professional level members who have made significant contributions to ALCA on both national and local levels. Discover more about ALCA Fellows, find criteria to become one, and how to apply.

10/14/2025

Was that really a month ago?
What an amazing time in California at the annual conference put on by Western Region Aging Life Care Association.

Here’s some pics of this terrific education & networking event!

09/28/2025

Congrats to our 2025 award recipients!
Rebecca Montano, PhD, CRC, CCM, CMC on the B.J. Curry Spitler Award and Jennifer Crowley, BSN, RN, CLCP, CDP, CADDCT, CMC on the Rose Kleiner Award.
It was a pleasure to honor you both at the ALCA Western Region Conference. We can't wait to sea what you do next!

To learn more about these awards, take a look at our page to see previous posts featuring the individual award recipients and the meaning behind the award.

#2025

09/26/2025

It is our pleasure to honor Jennifer Crowley as the 2025 recipient of the Rose Kleiner Award!
Here is what one colleague said about our award winner: "Over the years, this Aging Life Care Manager has demonstrated extraordinary dedication—not only to our region, but to the broader field of Care Management. She is a published author, an instructor, a mentor, and a true trailblazer. Her book has guided countless families through the complex process of planning for the future, offering clarity and compassion in times of uncertainty.
She co-founded a Care Management training platform that supports professionals in growing and sustaining their practices—an invaluable resource for the field. Beyond her professional achievements, she gives generously of her time: volunteering on numerous committees, hosting educational webinars, and participating as both an exhibitor and a speaker at conferences across the country.
And of course, she’s instantly recognizable—not just for her enthusiastic spirit, but also for her ever-present ring light, which has become something of a signature accessory at every conference."
The Rose Kleiner Award is presented annually to an ALCA Western Chapter member who has excelled in the field of care management. Jennifer, your commitment to our field, association, and, most importantly, the people we serve is profound. Your qualities of leadership and passion have helped shape the direction of Care Management for the better. Congratulations to you!

#2025

09/26/2025

We would like to congratulate Rebecca Montano for being the 2025 recipient of the B.J. Curry Spitler Community Service Award!
Here is what one colleague said about our awardee: "Much like B.J Currey Spitler, this Aging Life Care Manager has been a mentor for new and existing care managers for many, many years. She is often the first one that is called when someone is in crisis, either personally or professionally and always takes the calls even if this means putting her work aside to help someone in need.
This Care Manager is always first to volunteer on both regional and national levels, participating in and even chairing numerous conferences, serving on national and regional boards, and volunteering her time to train medical staff at UCSD, numerous care communities, and several home care companies to ensure the best care for our aging community. She is constantly looking for ways to improve our association, is an active participant on the education committee and grief support group and participates on the NACCM Exam committee."
This award is given annually to a Western Regional Chapter member who exemplifies the same generosity of spirit, time and attention to his or her community for the betterment of those who live and work there. Rebecca, the guidance and care you show to the people around you fully represent the spirit of this award! Congratulations again!

#2025

09/14/2025

Special thank you to our vendors/exhibitors at our ALCA Western Region Chapter Conference 2025.

“FirstLight Home Care of Whittier’s in-home care services provide the daily support adults need to live a life of dignity with as much independence as possible in Whittier, La Habra, La Mirada, Santa Fe Springs and the surrounding areas. We understand your loved one deserves more than having someone who simply keeps them company. They deserve a caregiver who is passionate about helping them have their best day, every day. At FirstLight, that’s why we do more than make a meal or help with mobility. Our private home care assistance is about establishing caring relationships built on trust and respect.”

09/14/2025

Special thank you to our vendors/exhibitors at our ALCA Western Region Chapter Conference 2025.
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