Lydia and Heather have lived and worked in the Santa Fe community for more than 20 years combined.  They have a great depth of knowledge about resources and have worked along side the organizations and professionals who serve this community.

Bios

Heather Coss, MSW, LMSW, CMC, NCG Co-founder

Heather has been a licensed Social Worker since 2007.  She received a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Her educational focus and professional experience have been centered around health in the aging population.  She has worked in community-based health for more than 10 years, working extensively with interdisciplinary medical teams.  In recent years, she has specialized in being an Aging Life Care Professional in Santa Fe, New Mexico.  She believes that there isn't a cookie-cutter approach to aging and follows a person-centered approach, supporting individuals and their families as they work towards self-defined goals.  She has a special interest in mental health and medical advocacy.   She is a Care Manager Certified and is an Advanced Professional member of the Aging Life Care Association.  She is also a Nationally Certified Guardian and can serve as the health care decision-maker for those in need. Outside of her professional pursuits, she volunteers her time at the Santa Fe Animal Shelter and mentors middle and high school students in circus arts.

Lydia Sckalor, BS, RN, CMC co-founder

Lydia has been a practicing Registered Nurse since 1990 and has provided Care Management services in Santa Fe for 16 years.  She received her Bachelor's degree in Education and Human Services from the University of Massachusetts and then went on to study at San Francisco State University in the Bachelor's to Master's Nursing program.  Lydia is a Care Manager Certified and on the board of the Western Chapter of the Aging Life Care Association.  As a home health nurse and geriatric care manager, Lydia has performed home based assessments of both acute and chronic medical and social conditions and then worked with interdisciplinary teams to create individual plans of care.  She has provided professional  recommendations, education, advocacy and follow-up consultation to clients and families.