Our Team

Carol Heape, MSW, CMC

Founder/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
Chief Operating Officer /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
Aging Life 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 and children.

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.

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.

Tori Roberts
Operations/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.