Care Connection for Aging Services is celebrating Social Work Month in March by spotlighting the Care Management Program in Cedar County.
Cedar County Care Manager Katie Hunter works from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, sharing her time between the El Dorado Springs Senior Center and Korth Center in Stockton. She’s available by calling 417-876-5574 in El Dorado Springs or 417-276-5306 in Stockton.
Social Work Month, sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers, has as its 2020 theme “Generations Strong.” One purpose is to “spotlight the life-affirming work that social workers from all generations — from the Greatest Generation to Generation Z — are doing,” according to the NASW website.
Care Connection can provide one-on-one, personalized guidance for older adults and caregivers to receive specific care and resources based on their individual situations. The agency provides information and enrollment assistance in a wide variety of programs from energy assistance or housing to help with paying for prescription medications and Medicare premiums.
“Many times, people who come to us don’t know enough about the services offered to older adults and their caregivers to even request those services,” said Marilyn Gunter, Director of Care Management. “That’s why care managers develop relationships with the folks at the senior centers and reach out to others. We want our Care Management Program to be like a one-stop shop for information, resources and assistance.”
Hunter moved to Missouri from Rancho Cucamonga, California. She went to Mohave Community College in Bullhead City, Arizona, and earned an Associate’s Degree in Accounting and Business/Applied Science. She attended the University of Phoenix in Ontario and Murrieta, California, and received a Bachelor’s in Healthcare Administration and Health Management. She also has an Associate’s Degree in Eastern Culture and Religion and is working on a Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the Mercy College of Nursing in Springfield.
Hunter said her healthcare background helps her navigate Care Connection clients through systems that can seem confusing.
The most important aspect of her job is “helping older adults with their needs, listening to them and hearing them, finding the help they need the best I can,” Hunter said.
Hunter said she enjoys her job more each day.
“I get to meet a variety of people and learn new things daily. When you’re able to help, the smile and gratitude you get from our clients is the most rewarding part of the job,” Hunter said.
She encourages older adults in Cedar County “to reach out, not to go through things alone. We are here to help the best we can. We wear many hats in our jobs.”
Care Connection is a non-profit area agency on aging with a mission to provide opportunities to create positive aging experiences. For more information, call 1-800-748-7826 or visit
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