Meet Our Trusted Senior Living Advisor Team
We, the team at Assisted Living Connections are here to guide families with care, compassion, and expertise to find the right senior care and senior living option. We offer the resources you need in the Ventura County and Los Angeles County areas.
We are fully informed on issues that can confront families: Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia, Parkinsons, and the significant social, emotional and financial needs of seniors. They have immediate access to all of the ancillary local experts who provide experienced care for elders, such as: In-Home Care, Assisted Living, Independent Living Homes, Retirement Homes, Memory Care, Alzheimer’s Care, Dementia Care, Residential Care Homes (Board & Care), Respite Care, Skilled Nursing Facilities (Nursing Homes), Hospice, and more Senior Living options near you.
We take their families on personal tours whenever possible to choose the best senior living option.
Tami Podell
Owner/Founder
Senior Living Advisor
Tami’s passion for helping others grew after watching her father’s painful decline through dementia. The process of understanding what was needed and navigating that for her father was overwhelming. Tami realized there were others like her who needed support and information from a knowledgeable and unbiased source.
As a result, Tami’s mission became providing this resource to others. She obtained her Residential Care for the Elderly certificate and founded Assisted Living Connections. Tami has helped families since 2009 find the best fit for their loved one’s care needs at an affordable price without sacrificing dignity.
Tami has lived in Agoura Hills since 1994 with her husband Glenn. They have three married sons and three grandchildren. Tami grew up in the San Fernando Valley and she and her brothers are all former Bruins.
Kelila Heller
Owner
Senior Living Advisor
Dementia Care Practitioner
Kelila’s entry into senior living began in 2007 when her mother fractured her hip, followed by a major stroke and vascular dementia. Kelila helped her mother move into an assisted living community and later into a licensed residential care home. Kelila’s maternal aunt and grandmother suffered with Alzheimer’s Disease.
These experiences have created empathy and compassion for families who need guidance on the caring journey for seniors. Families in crisis don’t know where to begin; the process is overwhelming. Kelila is a resource and counselor, helping her clients obtain the best information as they explore assisted living and other home care choices together.
Kelila grew up in a rural community in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Northern California. She and her husband Rob met when they attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. They have been together for 49 years, have two sons and two grandchildren and have lived in Thousand Oaks for over 37 years.
Kelila is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from California State University Northridge.
Jan Bearss
Senior Living Advisor
Dementia Care Practitioner
Jan Bearss started her journey with seniors at the early age of 16 assisting the elderly as a Certified Nurses Aid in her hometown Grand Rapids, Michigan. As fate played out Jan was lucky enough to become a major caregiver for her grandmother helping her through her final days. Knowing she was destined to work in this field again, she changed roles, married and moved out West. After successfully raising three children with her husband she eventually re-started her career with the elderly as a Marketing Director for an Assisted Living Community in Montana.
Wherever her travels took her, working with families and their loved ones has always been a passion. Jan has been with Assisted Living Connections since 2020 and is a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner. Today she resides in Ventura County near her daughter and granddaughter.
Jennahway Salisbury
Senior Living Specialist
Licensed Administrator for Skilled Nursing
Dementia Care Practitioner
As the Senior Living Specialist for Los Angeles County, Jennahway brings over a decade of experience working with seniors and their families. She holds a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration and a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator with the California Department of Social Services. Additionally, Jennahway worked over six years in Community Relations for a large senior living community.
Having personally experienced the challenges of loved ones with dementia, she understands how overwhelming and heartbreaking this process can be. Finding the right senior living option can be stressful and confusing. Jennahway simplifies this process by recommending only those places that align with the required level of care, social and emotional needs, budget, and location.
• Jennahway and her husband, Jared live in Santa Clarita with their two young children. Jennahway loves spending time with her family, going to Disneyland, beach days, watching baseball (Go Dodgers!) football and golf.
• Her college alma mater is the University of La Verne where she received her Bachelor’s in Communications with an emphasis in Public Affairs and a Master’s Degree in Healthcare Administration with an emphasis in Business Development. College Sorority: Sigma Kappa. Jennahway is also a Certified Dementia Care Practitioner.
Lucille Kosmatka
Customer Service Specialist
Lucille graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, specializing in Sociology. She enjoys helping her community especially through fundraising for children’s causes.
Lucille also counsels grieving families, helping them assess difficult options. She has lived in Ventura County since 1985. Lucille enjoys connecting with our clients and assisting them to find the best solution for themselves and their loved ones.
Mark Stelzer, MSW
Dementia Care Specialist
We want our clients to have the best outcomes whether it is staying at home, getting in-home care or moving to a community. Mark is a Master Social Worker who also specializes in dementia care. He is a member of the ALC team who can help with difficult situations. He can assist our clients in getting the support that will meet whatever best serves the senior and the family.
