Board Members 2025-2026
Vice Chair: Dr. Joseph Casciani
Dr. Joseph Casciani
Dr. Joseph Casciani has a 35-year history in aging as a psychologist and manager of mental health practices. He was awarded the first contracts from the California Department of Aging in 1982 to develop mental health training for the state’s nursing homes. For 16 years, he was the clinical lead for a multi-state group practice for patients in nursing homes. He later ran his own multi-state company, Concept Healthcare, for 8 years.
In 2018, he extended his professional interest in aging to his new venture, the Living to 100 Club. The website, www.Livingto100.Club, offers a collection of strategies and resources on successful aging, and his weekly podcasts on aging and longevity continue in this tradition with guests who share their professional insights about aging well and making the most of our senior years. He is now a clinical consultant, public speaker, provides one-on-one counseling, and sells a package of life enriching resources to retirement communities and senior organizations.
Membership: Glenn Shimer
Glenn Shimer
Glenn has been in the field of aging services since 2010 and currently serves as Community Marketing Director at Oakmont, Escondido. Previously he was Director of Sales and Marketing with Atria Senior Living of Escondido. Glenn serves residents and families in Assisted and Memory care by understanding their needs for a safe and engaging lifestyle.
He is originally from Escondido and earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from San Diego State University. Glenn started his career in operations management, facilities, and sales management more than 20 years ago. He transitioned into senior living after “understanding that the call to serve others and his community is best for all.” Glenn’s understanding of different family dynamics has earned him and his community the Pinnacle Award and the Senior Advisor Award.
Glenn resides in Valley Center with his wife and family as a “gentleman farmer” growing avocados and enjoying the outdoors.
Treasurer: April Kohnen
April Kohnen
April Kohnen is the owner and director of home care services at Griswold Home Care for North San Diego and a Positive Approach to Care (PAC) Certified Independent Trainer and Coach. A dedicated advocate for transformative dementia care, April led her organization to become the first PAC-Designated Organization in the region.
Through her leadership, Griswold Home Care for North San Diego integrates PAC Skills, a transformative set of techniques that go beyond traditional caregiving by focusing on both the why and how of dementia care. These skills foster a compassionate, empowering environment, strengthen care partner-client relationships, and promote harmony in care settings—ultimately enhancing the well-being of both individuals living with dementia and those who support them.
Phone: (858) 240-2074
Secretary: Paula Jane McKenzie
Paula Jane McKenzie
An experienced business development and education manager, Paula Jane Mackenzie joined The Elizabeth Hospice in January 2024. She is a compassionate healthcare professional who creates long-term, solid relationships with community partners through innovative, education-focused projects. Paula’s diverse experience includes working at San Diego Hospice in various capacities, including program management, sales and marketing, administration, international education, and community and associate education. Her lifelong passion for helping others and improving the quality of healthcare through education has contributed to her success in connecting with local nursing programs, hospitals, and community partners.
Education: Laura Barish
Laura Barish
Laura Barish has seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of handling the many issues that tend to arise as we age. Whether you live in your own home or in a residential community, it is important to have someone who understands what it takes to manage the conditions of aging.
Laura is an expert in managing the conditions associated with dementia and what is needed at each stage of the progression. She is also experienced in maximizing health through diet, supplementation, and the support of medical providers. Much of her work has been related to assisting older adults and their families who are dealing with dementia.
Laura owned a caregiving company for over 13 years. During this time she also ran an adult day care center for people with dementia. Her expertise in working with dementia has been enhanced by training and the many community resources she leverages to provide the best possible support to her clients with their ongoing needs.
Marketing and Public Relations: Lylene Balken
Lylene Balken
Lylene is a senior care advocate specializing in care management for seniors and families, providing a full spectrum of geriatric care. She started her career running health care call centers. Later, she moved into skilled nursing, where she developed her skill and passion for working with seniors. Currently, Lylene is Director of New Business Development at Qualicare Homecare Services. Additionally, Lylene runs LB Senior Health Care Solutions, where she does Social Media, Marketing, Public Relations, and Care Management Consulting.
Outside of work, Lylene is the founder and facilitator of the Link Networking group, which serves the senior care industry throughout San Diego, south Orange County, and Riverside Counties. This is a free group that meets every Wednesday. She is also Marketing/PR Chair and Committee Member for Community Education for the San Diego Coalition for Compassionate Care.
At-Large: Dan Sweiger
Dan Sweiger
Dan Sweiger is an accomplished executive, public speaker, community educator and industry leader who owns and operates BrightStar Care of Carlsbad, an award-winning home care agency in North County San Diego.
BrightStar helps seniors age in place comfortably, safely, and independently, by providing top-quality medical and non-medical assisted living services at home. His company has been recognized with “Best of Home Care” awards for achieving the highest levels of customer and employee satisfaction, and his director of nursing was also recognized nationally as BrightStar Care’s 2021 Nurse of the Year.
Prior to starting his home care agency, Mr. Sweiger had a distinguished marketing career that spanned a range of industries from food to entertainment and hospitality. His work has been recognized with numerous awards including Gold Effies, Clios, Edisons, Adriens, and more. During his nearly 20yrs in hospitality, he developed a passion for inspiring brand purpose, fostering a highly motivated team culture, forging personal and collaborative relationships, and delivering a more personal customer experience.
Mr. Sweiger is a thought leader who serves on the National Aging In Place Council and on the boards of the San Diego Dementia Consortium and Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI). He holds a master’s degree in business administration from Purdue University’s Krannert Graduate School of Management and a bachelor’s degree in communication from Minnesota State University Mankato.
At-Large: Glenn Panzer
Glenn Panzer, M.D., C.M.D., F.A.A.F.P.
Dr. Panzer is a Board-certified Family Physician with added qualifications in Hospice and Palliative Care Medicine and is a Fellow in the American Academy of Family Practice. Most recently, he was Chief Medical Officer Emeritus of The Elizabeth Hospice. He has been affiliated with The Elizabeth Hospice for 16 years. He was Chief Medical Officer from 2007 to 2017. Dr Panzer prides himself on being a Certified Medical Director through AMDA (the Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine).
He is treasurer of the San Diego Coalition for Compassionate Care and on the executive committee. He is also president of the San Diego Dementia Consortium. He was chair of the Medical staff Ethics and Palliative Care committees at Palomar Health from 2007 to 2017.
He is a graduate of the Temple University School of Medicine in Philadelphia, PA. He completed his residency in Family Medicine at The Wyoming Valley Family Practice Residency Program in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania where he practiced for more than 20 years. Dr. Panzer moved to San Diego with his wife Lori in 2003.
sandiegodementiaconsortium@gmail.com
(760) 644-6051
At Large: Jessica Studarus
Jessica Studarus
Jessica Studarus is an independent health insurance agent with 15 years of experience managing a Memory Care program at a local Assisted Living community. This firsthand experience motivated her to help others navigate the complexities of health insurance. Unequal access to care for individuals with memory loss was apparent. As an advocate, she focuses on aiding families in securing care for their loved ones affected by memory loss. While specializing in Medicare (initial enrollment as well as navigating existing plans), her services also encompass individual and family plans, small business health insurance, Covered California, PACE, and Medi-Cal.
A Rancho Penasquitos native now residing in Poway with her family, Jessica is actively involved in her community. She is a founding member of the Poway Chamber of Commerce Senior Services group, volunteers with Shoreline Community Services to aid neighbors experiencing homelessness in accessing housing and healthcare, and serves on the board of the San Diego Dementia Consortium.
Outside of work and community service, Jessica enjoys her book club, caring for her cats, gardening, playing board games, and weightlifting. She also enjoys spending time with her own parents, who live locally.
Jessica Studarus
Independent Medicare Agent
Caspian Health Insurance
(858) 633-3144
Jessica@CaspianHealthInsurance.com
https://Jessica.Studar.Us
Webmaster: Todd Benton
Todd Benton
Todd has more than 20 years of marketing, public relations, and media experience and a history of obtaining media coverage for clients on CNN, CBS, ABC, and in publications such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, and Business 2.0.
In the area of website design, Todd launched his first client website in 1997 for renowned acrylic furniture designer Charles Hollis Jones. Since then, he and his team have developed nearly a hundred websites for authors, artists, consultants, teachers, entrepreneurs, small businesses, and non-profit organizations. His natural instinct for visual design was cultivated by working with his father, a four-time Academy Award-nominated set decorator for feature films.
Todd holds a bachelor’s degree with honors in communications from San Francisco State University.