Alfred has been developing curriculum and teaching for the Avila Institute of Gerontology for the last 15 years. He has created and presented workshops and in-services on a number of topics associated with aging. He is a great believer in the integration of biological and behavioral research for dementia treatment. He has years of experience working as a consultant for long-term care systems and facilities and training staff in the use of non-pharmaceutical, individualized care plans for residents with moderate to severe dementia.

Ed is a Licensed Nursing Home Administrator in two states, with more than 40 years of both clinical and administrative experience in healthcare. He holds a BS in Health Care Administration from Excelsior College, a PGDip in Dementia Studies from the University of Bradford, and an MA of Theology from Saint Leo University. Additionally, Ed is an ordained permanent deacon in the Catholic Church and is assigned to Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Richmond, Virginia.

Clare is a licensed social worker who has worked with the elderly for over 25 years, serving as a director of social work in various nursing homes and rehabilitation centers. She provides consultation and education on various topics in aging to residents, families, and staff.

Clare L. Horn received her undergraduate degree from Marymount College, Tarrytown, NY, a M.S. Ed. from Hofstra University, and a M.S.W. from Fordham University, where she also completed her doctoral courses. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York State. She holds membership in the Academy of Certified Social Workers and the National Association of Social Workers. She has worked with the elderly and served as Director of Social Work for over 25 years in Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Centers. In November 2016, under Ms. Horn’s leadership at The New Jewish Home, the dementia unit received Comfort Matters Accreditation.

Ms. Horn has educated staff and families in palliative care and the ‘person-directed care’ program. She has presented at conferences and meetings on topics related to social work, dementia, palliative, and person-centered care. She has served for 21 years on the board of directors of Marian Woods, a NYS Department of Health Adult Care Facility, and Convent for women religious in Westchester County and has recently transitioned to serving on their program and quality assurance committee. Ms. Horn is a member of the Institute Formation Commission of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary. She is on the faculty of the Avila Institute of Gerontology.

Dr. Sasha Speer, DPT is a physical therapist and an artist. She has worked with patients ages 18-106 around the country since 2008, treating a variety of diagnosis from spinal cord injuries to pneumonia and back pain. In her experiences, she found that her love of the human body and her love of art created a more positive, uplifting, healing experience for her patients. She is bringing both gifts together with her Dr. Sasha brand to uplift, inspire, and heal.

 Dr. Sasha gained a more profound understanding of the power of the human mind in relation to healing beginning in 2012, when her own body failed her after the passing of her father. She found herself as an expert of the human body in a world of medicine, lacking the answers she needed to heal. After seeking advice from physicians, surgeons, therapists, and other practitioners, she realized her answer was not within the traditional medical practices. Desperate to heal her body, Dr. Sasha delved into reading book after book, and bit by bit she was not only able to finally heal herself but she found she was having a more profound impact on the patients she treated. She now incorporates mindset practices in her healing as she feels it is the most critical factor to healing and feeling whole.

Dr. Sasha has brought these practices into two programs: Strong & Steady, addressing the needs of the frail elderly, which was co-created with help from the Sisters and Staff at the Carondelet Center in Los Angeles; and YOUNGER, a daily mindset and exercise program geared at preventing many of the signs and symptoms of aging.