Catherine Ravenel Boomer
Founder
Over 30 years of experience as an educator, competitive athlete and coach has given Catherine a multilayered background built upon curiosity, empathy and service to others. In 2014, Catherine moved home to live with and manage care for her aging parents during the final few years of their lives. She honed many life skills during this time: negotiation, interpersonal management, conflict resolution, self-awareness and humility. This time was an enormous blessing and a challenge, and her family is forever changed by this time of transition. Her experiences inspired her to help others find their way to make the best of their own life transitions.
Some of life’s challenges are expected while others come as a nudge from the universe. Recently, Catherine faced and survived breast cancer. Cancer treatment forced her to learn how to be vulnerable, to be aware of her limitations and to ask for help. A hard lesson in humility, but an opportunity to redefine what strength looks like and a reminder of how much Catherine’s parents struggled to manage and adapt to their changing skill set. As she continues to heal from her cancer experience, she carries a deeper and more profound understanding of physical vulnerability and a clearer insight into the challenges of aging; grateful to have the opportunity to recover from cancer. Aging and health are both privileges to approach gracefully, mindfully and happily.
Please click here for Catherine's professional background.
Chrisanna Waldrop
Consultant
Chrisanna’s interest in geriatric care, caregivers and their families began in 2015. A native of Washington, D.C., she was visiting her mother in California when she noticed her mother’s behavior had changed. Soon thereafter, she witnessed her father begin to struggle with his memory and certain basic daily tasks. Knowing she would become responsible for her parents’ well-being, she decided to enroll in the University of Florida’s Geriatric Care Management program to educate herself about the field of geriatrics and geriatric care.
Both of Chrisanna’s parents were diagnosed with cognitive decline. As a result of her hands-on experience with both her parents, Chrisanna became familiar with the wide range of impacts and typical struggles that occur when families are confronted with aging parents. Her academic studies, as well as her legal background, helped equip her to negotiate an ever-changing and exhausting path that so many families experience. She understands the frustrations and sacrifices that caregivers make to support their loved ones—even when their elder is resistant to help and unable to accept their limitations.
Caregivers and families who deal with the impacts of physical and cognitive decline face enormous stress and demands. With informed guidance and planning, many challenges can be anticipated and lessened. Families often wait until a crisis occurs and then react emotionally, which can make a difficult situation even more traumatic for everyone involved. Chrisanna firmly believes in exploring the uncomfortable conversations around aging to support caregivers and impacted family members through the steps and stages necessary so they can live their best lives, their whole lives.
A graduate of Rice University and Northeastern University School of Law, Chrisanna graduated from the UFL program in 2017. She resides in Washington, D.C. where she continues to manage her parents’ affairs.