Senior Care Consultants

Michele Zoss, Principal/Certified Geriatric Care Manager
Michele Zoss, BA, CALFM, CMC is the founder and owner of Senior Care Consultants, LLC and also works in the field as a Certified Geriatric Care Manager, representing a number of the firm’s clients. Michele has over 12 years of experience in the healthcare field and specializes in advocating for the elderly, particularly for those with dementia care needs and those clients residing in facilities. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Penn State University prior to relocating to Arizona in 1994. Michele holds a Certified Assisted Living Facility Manager Certification (CALFM) through the State of Arizona Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers. She is also a Care Manager Certified (CMC) through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers and is a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers and the Case Management Society of America. She is an active volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association-Desert Southwest Chapter and is a member of the Association’s Speaker’s Bureau. Her experience includes working with for-profit as well as non-profit healthcare entities, including the City of Phoenix Human Services Department-Senior Services Division, The Foundation for Senior Living and Alterra Healthcare Corporation. Michele has dedicated herself to the work that has become her life’s passion, and has assembled an exceptional team of qualified and experienced care managers who share her vision of being the best advocates possible for the cherished population we are entrusted to serve.

Crystal Littlejohn, Certified Geriatric Care Manager
Crystal Littlejohn, MHSA, CALFM, CMC has over 20 years of experience in the healthcare arena, including skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, hospice, and facility operations.Most recently she served as Executive Director in a Scottsdale assisted living/memory care community owned and operated by Brookdale Senior Living, a leader in the elder housing industry. Prior to joining Brookdale, Crystal was employed by Alterra Healthcare Corporation where she served in a variety of key managerial roles, including Regional Director of Operations for Arizona. She relocated in 1994 to Arizona by way of New Hampshire, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology from Plymouth State University. In December 2007, she completed her Masters degree in Health Services Administration from Strayer University. Crystal holds a Certified Assisted Living Facility Manager Certification (CALFM) through the State of Arizona Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers. She is also a Care Manager Certified (CMC) through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers and is a member of the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers. Her impressive and extensive experience in all aspects of senior healthcare have earned her an extraordinary reputation amongst her peers as a healthcare professional that possesses an unparalleled passion for advocating for the needs of the individuals she serves.

Kirstin Chavkin, BA, Geriatric Care Manager
Kirstin Chavkin, BA, Geriatric Care Manager, is the newest addition to the Senior Care Consultants team. She relocated to Arizona by way of Colorado in 2007, where she owned and operated her own homecare agency, Kirstin’s Kare, which she founded in 2002. After acquiring her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Kirstin garnered invaluable experience in the assisted living arena while employed by Alterra Healthcare Corporation. Kirstin earned the respect of her peers in her local healthcare community through her exemplary care of her homecare clients. While operating Kirstin’s Kare, Kirstin was responsible for all aspects of the care and case management of her clients, including navigating the complex Medicaid application process, assisting with challenging legal appeals and securing long-term care insurance. She also served as an integral volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association of Littleton, Colorado, where she developed and facilitated a support group specifically for those diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, and is a member of The Association for Frontotemporal Dementias. Her experience spans the continuum of healthcare, from non-medical homecare to assisted living and skilled nursing facilities to hospice to non-profit healthcare entities. Kirstin is a tireless and tenacious advocate of the elderly, particularly those afflicted with memory impairment, and is especially dedicated to serving those who wish to remain independently in their homes.

Deanna Ledesma, MA, Administrative Assistant
Deanna Ledesma, Administrative Assistant, provides administrative support to the Senior Care Consultants care management team. She also provides a variety of support services to our clients and their families. Deanna earned a Medical Assistant Diploma from Apollo College in Phoenix, and has worked with physicians in both back and front office roles. She also worked as a Unit Secretary for a large skilled nursing facility in Peoria, Arizona. Deanna’s familiarity with patient charting, medical terminology and scheduling has made her a wonderful addition to our firm. She hopes to one day pursue a career in nursing. Deanna is a rarity…a native Arizonan!