Elder Guru was founded in 2009 as a means to make aging-related information available to professionals working in the field (social workers, long-term care administrators, case workers, etc.). Since that time, the focus has shifted some toward also helping non-professionals, from people wondering about their Medicare benefits to caregivers seeking information for their loved one to older adults seeking the best life possible.
You can reach us by email at elderguru @ gmail.com. If you are interested in joining the team of writers, visit the Write for Us page.
Derrick Grant – Founder and Editor
Derrick Grant began his professional career working as a social worker in a nursing home, helping residents and families navigate the world of long-term care. He then worked as the Social Services Manager at an area agency on aging where he oversaw Information and Referral and programs such as Alzheimer’s Respite, Matter of Balance, and Meals on Wheels eligibility.
After that he became the Director of an Adult Day Care at an Alzheimer’s care facility and served on the board of the Maine Adult Day Services Association. Derrick then went to work for the State of Maine as a Research Analyst at the Office of Elder Services. He now works as a Program Manager on Medicaid policy.
Dr. Donna Schwontkowski
Starting out in the field of nutrition in the 1970s, Donna Schwontkowski worked as a dietitian and director of food services at several institutions including a boys’ youth home, a community food program for seniors, a 96-bed home for adults with mental retardation, and a 197-bed nursing home in Illinois. She earned her doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine as well as a master’s degree in Nutrition and another in Herbology. She’s worked with thousands of patients to improve their nutrition.
Dr. Schwontkowski has taught over 1,000 classes on topics such as health, nutrition, diets, weight loss, herbs, detoxification, cooking, memory and accelerated learning, natural healing infection control, supplementation, diabetes, back problems, and overcoming various health challenges. She was also a journalist for health and fitness magazines for 15 years and an editor of a top health magazine in Sacramento for 12 years. She co-produced her own health television show for four years in the Sacramento, CA market between 2001 and 2005.
She is now a freelance writer and author. Look for her books soon on Amazon and find her on LinkedIn.
Amanda Lambert – Contributing Writer
Amanda Lambert is an Aging Life Care Professional and consultant with over twenty years of experience in the elder care field. She has worked in home health, mental health, and guardianship. She is a Care Manager Certified, Aging Life Care Professional, Master Guardian Emeritus, and holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Utah. Amanda also sits on the state board of AARP.
As a writer, Amanda has co-authored two books related to aging: Aging with Care: Your Guide to Hiring and Managing Caregivers at Home and Choose Your Place: Rethinking Home As You Age. She also consults and writes for several companies focused on eldercare. She also writes on topics such as prostate cancer, small business development, and bioidentical hormone replacement. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, reading, and traveling. Follow Amanda on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Zac Martin – Contributing Writer
Zac Martin is an exercise physiologist who has spent years working with older clients with a scope of conditions. He is familiar with the physical issues older adults face as they age and has worked with them in strength building and recovery.
When he’s not writing, Zac can be found trying to catch his escaped chickens. He enjoys reading biographies, studying World War I, growing new varieties of tomatoes, and attempting to keep his honey bees alive.
Leona Small – Contributing Writer
Leona Small is a freelance writer and former caregiver. She has experience working with people who have Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias, and has worked in hospice.
Her passions include writing about healthy aging, finding resources to help older adults and caregivers, and travel.
She has written for various publications, including fiction stories and the Wall Street Journal. Now, she is a freelancer who enjoys writing about a variety of interesting topics.
Mal Harrison – Contributing Writer
Mal Harrison is a certified clinical sexologist, eroticism philosopher, TEDx speaker, member of the International Society for Sexual Medicine, and the Executive Director of the Center for Erotic Intelligence.
Mal writes on topics relating to sexual health and related topics that pertain to older adults. Find her on LinkedIn.
