Care Connection welcomes new care manager

Care Connection for Aging Services welcomes Katherine Crenshaw-Duff, of El Dorado Springs, as the agency’s Cedar County Care Manager.

As the Care Manager for Cedar County, Katherine will help adults 60 and older with an array of services ranging from Medicare information and counseling to options and information about in-home care and benefits enrollment. She is based at the El Dorado Springs Senior Center.

Care Connection’s care management program is designed as a one-stop shop to provide seniors with information and assistance they need to make their lives a little easier than it would be otherwise.

Katherine moved to Missouri last December from Bullhead City, AZ. She grew up in southern California.

She has an Associate’s of Arts degree in Business and Accounting and an Associate’s of Arts in Eastern Culture and Religion. She has a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration with a minor in Health Management. She attended Mohave Community College and University of Phoenix in California.

Her previous job was implementing and coordinating a Medicare Chronic Care Management Program. She monitored 358 patients who suffered two or more chronic illnesses. “I did the whole program alone, which is one of my biggest accomplishments,” she said.

Before that, she worked as a Community Outreach Representative/Marketing in home health and as a home health Office Manager and Director of Marketing.

She moved to Missouri to be near her mother and grandparents.

So far, she has found herself right at home working with Care Connection’s participants.

“I love that we can help others, especially the older population. A lot of people forget our elderly generation.” Katherine said. “I love knowing that I can do something to help them even if it’s just getting them to smile. We have everything we do today due to our elders.”

When she is not working, “I try to spend a lot of time with my grandparents now that I am close by, help them with anything I am able to,” she said. “I get to live close to my mom and grandparents now, which means the world to me.”

Katherine said she enjoys care management because “I love to spread smiles and help others see the best they have, even if at that moment it may not be much. I try to keep the most positive outlook I can. God is my rock and with his love there is infinite possibilities and blessing coming our way.”

Care Connection for Aging Services operates 23 locations in 13 counties, including Cedar. It’s mission is to provide resources and services that empower people to create healthy aging experiences. To make an appointment with Katherine, call the center at 417-876-5574 or visit the center at 604 S. Forest in El Dorado Springs.