I get this question a lot!  And I’m grateful for the question because it requires me to think anew about the answer each time I’m asked.  To begin with, here’s a description I use on my web page:

 

Concierge (n): caretaker, doorkeeper, porter.

Concierge Gerontologist (n):  one who caters to those in the elder community and their caregivers by opening doors through which both understanding and resources are reached. 

 

It’s easier to define my Eldercare Coaching as a “concierge service” because we are seeing more of this approach in health care – highly personalized elder care coaching for individuals and families to help navigate the tricky landscape of eldercare and aging services.

 

 

But I am also a Consultant and a Trainer.  How does the “concierge” part of my professional identity play out in these roles?

 

In my Consulting role, I absolutely love getting people together and then watching the magic that occurs – rather like a matchmaker! Not the Fiddler on the Roof  type but certainly similar.  As a Concierge Consultant I open the door to welcome two people in who may not know each other but I know that they share some common idea, research interest, or passion about something.  Idea matchmaking is my absolute favorite!  A wonderful example of this was when my dear friend, Steve Umberger, told me about his passion for a musical that he co-created with Clyde Edgerton out of his novel, Lunch at the Piccadilly.  A conversation over coffee at Julia’s followed by an introduction to Tim Rogers at Aldersgate, and fast-forward a few months and Voila! A 3 week run of the musical at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center.  Well… not quite as easy as that, but what hasn’t really sunk in until recently is that my strong desire to make a difference in how we age and how elders are viewed and treated gives the connector, visionary, matchmaker, concierge gerontologist in me an opportunity to get people together and then witness the unfolding of something new.

 

As a Trainer in the field of aging my years of teaching come in handy.  If I see a gap in training needs or an aspect of gerontology that isn’t being offered to caregivers and others concerned about the future of aging and eldercare, that Matchmaker gets to work!   And there’s lots to do given the eldering of the U.S. Population.

If you find yourself in need of any of my Concierge Services I hope you’ll give me a call (704-564-3722) or send me an email (lhare@lyndallhare.com) so we can talk about how I can help you!