About Us

Owner, Lisa Laney is interviewed by Aging Life Care Associationâ„¢ on the topic of End of Life.

YouTube video

Mountain Area Premier Care Navigation was founded in the fall of 2014.

Our staff is comprehensive in skill set:  Our team has a common philosophy of understanding each client’s unique personality and life history while gaining perspective of their current needs and goals for quality of life.  We each have chosen to work in this field due to our joy in delivering our skills in a one-to-one fashion to support the goals of the client, be it to remain living at home, to make difficult decisions, or just  consultation to plan for the future.

  • Master’s Level Nurses & Social Workers
  • Physical Therapists
  • Occupational Therapist who is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist

Owner: Lisa Laney, MSW, CMC Aging Life Care Professional

Lisa has worked with the aging population in the healthcare system since 1988. She obtained her BSW from Appalachian State University and her MSW from UNC-CH with dual concentrations in Aging and Health. Her career history as a medical social worker spans the full continuum of care:

  • Discharge Planner in the hospital setting
  • Social Worker in a nursing facility
  • Home Health Social Worker
  • Palliative Care Social Worker
  • Geriatric Care Manager

 

AgingLifeCare_Member_Logo_TMAs a native of Boone, Lisa has an understanding of the people who choose to live in these beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains.  She serves as the facilitator for the Asheville Parkinson’s Support Group and recently served on the Board of Directors for the Aging Life Care™ Association (ALCA).

Read what Lisa has to say in an article from Market Watch about finding a nursing home.

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Kirsten Kern, PT Care Manager Associate

Kirsten Kern is a physical therapist who has over 30 years of experience in post acute healthcare.  She has held various leadership positions most recently in Private Duty Homecare.  She has a strong clinical background in rehabilitation.

Kirsten has a passion for helping members of our community find the best care and support at the right time.

When not working, she enjoys time with her family including her two teenage sons. She loves the outdoors, especially anything related to being around water.
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Beth Cummings RN, MSN, CMC Aging Life Care Professional

Beth has Bachelors and Masters degrees in nursing from the University of Virginia with a career both broad & deep.  Her assessment skills and her experience with the medical management of chronic illness make her a great advocate for her clients.  She has lived in Asheville for 25 years and has a good understanding of the complex medical landscape in WNC. She is an expert at translating  complicated medical jargon into easy to understand language and planning.

Beth’s big picture vision delivers quality skills to patients and families who are navigating aging and the ever changing health care system.

Beth has 3 adventuresome adult children. She enjoys hiking, biking, participating in her garden club, book club, and is actively involved with  First Presbyterian Church in Asheville.

 

 

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Jenell Wright, RN Care Manager Associate

Jenell Wright has enjoyed the diversity of working in many different settings from hospitals to clinics to patients’ homes.  She has cared for patients from childhood to end-of-life with her most recent focus being a Care Manager for MemoryCare. What Jenell loves most about being a nurse is providing care and support to patients and families as they navigate through the many transitions in life. In her free time she enjoys going on walks, spending time with family (especially her grandchildren) and creating beautiful quilts!

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Libby Lewis, BSW

Since graduating from UNC Wilmington in 1992 with a bachelor of social work degree, Libby Lewis has focused her career on serving older adults. A native of Scotland County, Libby’s background covers a wide range of senior services and programs which include: home delivered and congregate nutrition programs; nursing home admissions coordinator; and case manager of the home and community care block grant program for a home care agency. Over the past 25 years, Libby has lived in Asheville and worked for a local hospice agency. With hospice she served as a social worker helping countless patients and families navigate complex end of life issues. She has experience with and understanding of a wide array of resources and community agencies which support people who want to age in place or who find themselves in need of long-term care facilities.

Libby is married to a native of Asheville and they, along with their little dog, enjoy visiting their daughter on the North Carolina coast much as possible.

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Robin Fox, MSN Care Manager Associate

Robin is based in Robin Fox small headshotour Boone area  She is a seasoned MSN level nurse with experience in acute care, home health , and in care management.  She is a terrific resource for the entire team.

 

 

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Mindy Alexander, MS OTR/L, Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS), Care Manager Associate

Mindy received her masters degree in Occupational Therapy from Chatham University in 1998.  She is a seasoned therapist, having worked in inpatient rehab for 18 years and prior to that in home health, outpatient and acute care settings.

Mindy brings to the team her knowledge of assisting people to maintain their independence in their living environments through adaptation and modification.

She enjoys anything outdoors, including trail running, mountain biking, hiking, camping, reading and any time spent with her husband and two active children.

 

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Susan Shaw, BSW Care Manager Associate

Susan Shaw photoSusan is a medical social worker who is based in Watauga, Avery & Ashe counties.  She has extensive experience in the hospital and hospice settings.

 

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