Our Team

Carol Heape, MSW, CMC

Founder/CEO/Certified Aging Life Care Manager

Carol is the current CEO of Elder Options, Inc. She earned her BSW and MSW from California State University-Sacramento. She is a Certified Care Manager (CMC) earning her certification in the first year of the CMC through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers.

Founding Elder Options, Inc. in 1988, Carol began as a sole proprietor. She then began adding employees to the growing company, and was awarded One of the Fastest Growing Businesses in Sacramento for five years in a row. In 2013, Carol was recognized as a Healthcare Hero in the Sacramento Region.

Carol also helped to found the Older Adults Task Force (OATF) in El Dorado County, the Community Thanksgiving dinner, the 4-H/FFA Junior Livestock Auction committee, began the first Alzheimer’s Support Group in the country, served on the El Dorado Community Foundation Board for a number of years, and helped establish the Sierra Renaissance Society, a lifelong learning collaboration.

Being an active member of the Aging Life Care Association (ALCA) since 2000, Carol took leadership roles on both the Western Region and National Board along with the Public Policy chair. In 2008, she was awarded the B.J. Curry Spitler Award for community involvement. In 2011, she was further recognized for her service to her professional association by receiving the Outstanding Chapter Award (Rose Kleiner Award).

Carol, a mother of six and a grandmother of nine, continues her work with Elder Options and its staff. In her free time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, gardening, reading, writing, and spending time with her family.

Elizabeth Heape-Caldwell, BS, MBA, CMC
V.P. of Operations & Business Development/Certified Aging Life Care Manager

Liz graduated with a Bachelor in Health Care Management with an emphasis in Gerontology. She also has a Master’s in Business Administration. Liz is also certified through the National Association of Certified Care Managers and is an active member of the Aging Life Care Association, participating on numerous committees.

Liz has worked for Elder Options since 2003 and possesses a passion for helping others. At a young age, Liz knew she had a desire to assist the aging population. She enjoys getting to know her clients and their families, to determine which course of action would best for the individual. Her passion for Care Management comes from being able to assist others, regardless of age or socioeconomic status. Liz is well versed in client assessments, end-of-life and dementia care, long-term care insurance, community resources, and entitlement programs such as Veterans Benefits and the Medi-Cal based Assisted Living Wavier.

In her spare time, Liz enjoys spending time with her amazing husband and two daughters, who are actively involved in basketball and 4-H.

Stacy Schmidt
Administrative Manager

Stacy has worked for Elder Options since 2011 and works in the Placerville office, providing billing, payroll, and HR services. She has a strong work ethic and is always quick to assist clients as well as employees to the best of her ability. Stacy admires the Elder Options, Inc. vision and enjoys her position because she is able to help others.

In her spare time, Stacy enjoys spending time with her husband, two boys, and three grandchildren.

Deon Batchelder, MS, CMC
Clinical Supervisor/Certified Aging Life Care Manager

Deon has a Master’s Degree in Gerontology from San Francisco State University, with an emphasis in care management. She is an adjunct Professor in the Gerontology Department at Sacramento State University, and has served as Commissioner for the Adult & Aging Commission of Sacramento County.

Deon came to Elder Options in 2011 and her passion and advocacy work on behalf of older adults and their families shines through in her work with our clients. She is a Care Manager Certified member of the Aging Life Care Association™. She brings to the team a wealth of knowledge about POLST, Parkinson’s disease, VA benefits, and entitlement and waiver programs.

Deon’s passion for care management grew from a commitment to advocate and support older adults as well as the disabled and other vulnerable populations.

Michelle Howard, RN
Care Manager

Michelle graduated West Georgia Technical College with an Associate’s Degree in Nursing. She has past experience working in a nursing home care setting. After graduating from nursing school, Michelle moved back to northern California and has worked for Elder Options since 2014. Michelle is well versed in dementia and end-of-life care, client assessments, entitlement programs, and medical/psychosocial issues.

Michelle’s passion for Care Management comes from the enjoyment she receives when working with the public and assisting the members of our community. She enjoys working for Elder Options because “everyone works together as a team to provide the highest quality services to the client.”

In her spare time, Michelle enjoys spending time in her country home, with her husband, two-year-old son, and baby on the way.

Homa Rostami, BS
Aging Life Care Manager

Homa earned her Bachelor’s Degree from University of Pacific and possess an Associate’s Degree in Gerontology from American River College. She previously served as Senior Care Consultant assisting older adults who desire to transition into residential care facilities. Homa has worked in the gerontology field, in a variety of roles, for over 12 years and is also a certified administrator for residential care facilities.

Homa has worked with Elder Options since 2015 and brings a wealth of knowledge regarding placement, community resources, dementia and end-of-life care, and chronic diseases. Homa is a member in good standing with the Aging Life Care Association. Homa’s passion for Care Management has led her to volunteer with Adopt an Elder foundation at which she is past President and current Treasurer.

In her spare time, Homa enjoys reading, scrapbooking and spending time with her family.

Terry Flattley, MS
Care Manager

Terry completed her Master’s Degree from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, Michigan in Rehabilitation Teaching of the Adult Blind. With a BA from WMU in Elementary Education, Communication Arts & Sciences, and English, Terry taught all ages, sighted and blind individuals, prior to joining the Elder Options team.

Terry has worked for Elder Options since 2007 and brings a wealth of knowledge regarding vision therapy, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease care, and entitlement programs. Terry’s passion for Care Management comes from the joy she receives from others’ willingness to be open and share their circumstances to enable appropriate assistance.

In her spare time, Terry enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years, her two adult children, and grandchildren.

Patricia Orr, RN
Care Manager

Patricia has over 20 years’ experience in geriatric medicine. She is a registered nurse that was a wide variety of experience including Director of Nursing in skilled nursing facilities in the Sacramento area and an Advice Nurse with Kaiser Permanente.

Patricia has worked with Elder Options since 2005 and is knowledgeable in all aspects of nursing care, dementia, depression, and medical/psychosocial issues of older adults. She is also well versed in the Medi-Cal-based Assisted Living Waiver Program. Patricia’s passion of Care Management comes from years of helping those in an assisted living community to remain as independent as possible.

Latrella Gallegos, EMT
Care Manager Assistant/Staffing Coordinator

Latrella has worked for Elder Options since 2008, in the Placerville Office. Latrella has her EMT certification and is a staffing coordinator for all offices. She also works with the Medi-Cal Assisted Living Waiver Program. Latrella is very knowledgeable with special needs clients and managing difficult behaviors. Latrella enjoys working for Elder Options because she gets to use her passion for caring for individuals in need.

In her spare time, Latrella enjoys gardening, outdoor activities, and spending time with her family.

Francesca Sherwood
Gerontology Intern

Frankie is currently in progress toward a Bachelors  in Gerontology from California State University, Sacramento. In the near future, she hopes to further her education with a goal set to complete a Master of Science in Gerontology. Frankie has extensive background in the medical side of aging and has worked as a Certified Nurse’s Aide in addition to working as a Certified Home Health Aide. She also has experience with memory impairments from spending time volunteering in a memory care unit.

Frankie has found a passion for Care Management, which stems from her goal of assisting the older adult population remain independent for as long as possible. At Elder Options, Frankie shadows the Care Manager of the Day, assisting with assessments in addition to accompanying the CM on home visits in the field.

In her spare time, Frankie enjoys acrylic painting and working toward her goal of scaling the highest summit in all the National Parks.

Stacey Kirschenmann
HR/Operations Assistant

Stacey was a busy stay at home mom of three kids and private caregiver for many years. After some time, Stacey went back to school to further her education and career. She graduated with a AS in Math and Science with an emphasis in Pre-Nursing in 2013. Stacey is involved in the community and is a CASA volunteer for the disadvantaged foster children.

Stacey is thrilled to be a part of the Elder Options Team. She has a heart for the aging population, and believes in surrounding herself with their wisdom and guidance. She has extensive experience and training with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease.  In her spare time, Stacey enjoys spending time with her husband kayaking, camping and enjoying the outdoors. She absolutely adores her grandkids as they “keep life engaging”.

Marcie San Vicente
Administrative/Billing Assistant

Marcie has worked in our Placerville office since 2017. A Placerville native, she recently moved back from the Bay Area. Marcie is an administrative assistant/billing clerk, assisting with payroll, billing, and support to staffing and care managers. Marcie has two associates degrees in Business and Accounting.

Marcie has a passion for helping others and enjoys working at Elder Options because there is always something new to learn.

In her spare time, Marcie enjoys reading and spending time with her husband, four children and her mom.

Tori Roberts
Marketing Assistant

Tori, now finishing up her AA in business, found her passion for marketing while she was taking a required marketing course for her degree. Being very tech savvy, Tori is able to share all of what Elder Options does to new media platforms. She is very excited to be working at Elder Options, Inc. because she is able to do what she is passionate about while being able to be apart of a company that helps their community.

In her free time Tori enjoys participating in outdoor activities, being with her family and going for long drives.