Crystal Littlejohn is an Aging Life Care Manager with nearly 25 years of dedicated service to seniors and their families. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Plymouth State University and a Master’s degree in Health Services Administration from Strayer University.

Throughout her extensive healthcare career, Crystal has gained valuable expertise in a variety of senior care settings, including assisted living, skilled nursing, memory care, hospice, and Aging Life Care Management. Her comprehensive knowledge allows her to effectively navigate the complex landscape of elder care with compassion and professionalism.

Crystal holds multiple industry certifications that underscore her commitment to excellence: she is a Care Manager Certified (CMC) through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers, a Certified Assisted Living Facility Manager (CALFM) certified by the Arizona Board of Examiners of Nursing Care Institution Administrators and Assisted Living Facility Managers, and a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and active member of the Society of Certified Senior Advisors. In 2012, she also earned certification as a Professional Patient Advocate from the Professional Patient Advocate Institute.

Since relocating to Arizona in 1994 from New Hampshire, Crystal has been an integral member of the Phoenix metropolitan healthcare community. As the founder and lead Aging Life Care Manager of Geriatric Resources, LLC, she passionately assists seniors and their families in assessing needs, locating appropriate resources, and hiring and monitoring services to help them live safely and comfortably in their preferred environment.

In 2019, recognizing the needs of lonely and isolated seniors, Crystal created Thoughtful Engagement®, a signature program of Geriatric Resources, LLC. This personalized, one-to-one activity-based program is designed to bring joy, connection, and social enrichment to older adults—regardless of health challenges. Unique in its approach, Thoughtful Engagement® goes beyond traditional companionship by engaging individuals through their personal interests, strengths, and preferences. Delivered wherever someone calls home, the program is facilitated by specially trained Thoughtful Engagement® Specialists, known as “Joy Facilitators,” who gently guide participants in rediscovering the activities that bring meaning, laughter, and purpose to their lives. With every interaction, the program celebrates the human spirit and creates space for creativity, discovery, and enduring connection.

Crystal’s education, experience, and heartfelt dedication make her a trusted advocate and invaluable resource for the senior population she serves.

An Arizona native, Petra plays a vital role at Geriatric Resources LLC, serving as both Office Manager and Assistant Care Manager. She brings over two decades of healthcare experience and a deep-rooted passion for supporting older adults.

Before joining Geriatric Resources in 2011, Petra spent approximately 15 years with CVS Pharmacy in Sun City West, where she began her career in 1996. Starting as a trainee, she quickly advanced—earning national certification as a Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT) and became Lead Pharmacy Technician in 2001. Throughout her pharmacy career, Petra was especially drawn to her senior clientele, building lasting relationships with many loyal customers.

Over time, she became acutely aware that many of the older adults she served were without local support or advocates during critical moments in their lives. Feeling confined to “one side of the counter,” Petra longed to do more. That calling led her to Geriatric Resources, where she now actively supports seniors and their families in more hands-on, meaningful ways.

Petra’s professional dedication is deeply personal. Having cared for both of her grandparents—whom she affectionately refers to as her “parents”—she carries forward the values they instilled in her: compassion, service, and integrity. Her work at Geriatric Resources allows her to honor their legacy by giving back to the senior community she cherishes.

With a heart for service and a tireless work ethic, Petra is a trusted advocate and essential part of the Geriatric Resources team. Whether assisting clients and families or supporting day-to-day operations, she brings warmth, empathy, and unwavering commitment to everything she does.

A native of Surprise, Arizona, Monica Gardea brings a wealth of experience and heart to her role as Office Assistant at Geriatric Resources. Before joining the team, Monica worked as a pharmacy technician and served as a cafeteria manager for the Dysart School District and was also an active member of the PTO board. These roles helped her build strong organizational skills and deepened her commitment to serving her community.

As the welcoming voice clients and families hear first, Monica sets the tone with professionalism, warmth, and a cheerful sense of humor. She is a natural multitasker who balances the needs of a busy office with the empathy and calm that families often need during challenging times. Her lived experience managing a blended household of seven children, five grandchildren, and three dogs brings a real-world understanding to the care and support she offers every day.

For many years, Monica supported her grandmother through a complex medical journey, including a skilled nursing facility stay. She provided hands-on care one full day each week, gaining invaluable insight into the realities faced by older adults and their caregivers—insight she now uses to support Geriatric Resources’ clients and families.

Monica also played a key role in the Thoughtful Engagement® Program, where she worked directly with clients to create joyful, individualized experiences. Whether coordinating unique outings like horseback riding or museum visits, or simply sharing meaningful conversation around music and life stories, Monica brought creativity, compassion, and presence to every interaction.

In her spare time, Monica is an avid quilter with a passion for crafting. She also enjoys cooking, classic rock, puzzles, and spending quality time with family and friends.

Luann brings over 29 years of hands-on experience in the senior care continuum, dedicating her career to the care, support, and advocacy of older adults and their families. She is a Certified Care Manager (CMC) through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers; a credential earned through a rigorous national certification process.

Originally from New Jersey, Luann earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation Therapy from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. She began her professional journey in skilled nursing, spending her first decade supporting seniors in long-term care settings. Her career then expanded into memory care, assisted living, independent retirement living, and hospice—each chapter adding to her deep understanding of the challenges and transitions older adults face.

Luann is known for her compassionate approach and strong commitment to helping families navigate complex medical, living, and social decisions. She approaches each case as if she were caring for her own parents—with respect, dignity, and a focus on maximizing autonomy and independence. This philosophy has guided her work and earned her the trust of countless families over the years.

Her keen observational skills and natural curiosity make her a thoughtful problem solver and a reliable advocate. She ensures that clients and their families are not only supported but also empowered with the information and options they need to make the best decisions for their loved ones’ quality of life.

Beyond her professional roles, Luann has contributed her time and expertise to numerous service organizations and has held board positions dedicated to improving the lives of seniors throughout her community.

Luann continues to live her passion for elder care every day, helping seniors thrive with dignity and supporting families with insight, empathy, and professionalism.

Val Litchy has dedicated her career to enhancing the lives of older adults, beginning her work in senior services in 1988. She holds an undergraduate degree from Bates College in Lewiston, Maine, and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Her early professional journey began at a hospital-affiliated continuing care retirement community in Madison, where she served for eleven years on the President’s Cabinet. In this leadership role, Val helped shape a full spectrum of senior housing and services designed to keep older adults engaged within a vibrant downtown community setting.

In 2002, after relocating to Phoenix, Val continued her mission to support seniors and their families through every stage of aging. As both Community Relations Coordinator and Executive Director at a memory care facility, she helped individuals with Alzheimer’s and other dementias transition to environments tailored to their needs, while offering guidance and emotional support to their families. Later, while working with a home care services company, Val deepened her expertise in in-home care solutions, coordinating personalized services that allowed seniors to remain safely in their own homes.

As an Aging Life Care Manager, Val brings a comprehensive understanding of the full senior care continuum. She is uniquely skilled in identifying the right services and living environments for each stage of life, while sensitively navigating changes in condition, needs, and goals. Whether working with independent seniors or those needing increasing support, Val emphasizes dignity, comfort, and informed choice.

Beyond her professional work, Val is actively involved in her community—serving on advisory boards, planning charitable events, and contributing her expertise to initiatives that benefit older adults. Her philosophy is rooted in helping individuals and families find joy and meaning in every season of life.

Val’s blend of leadership experience, compassionate insight, and personal commitment makes her a trusted guide and advocate for those navigating the complex landscape of aging.

Rachael Johnson is a dedicated Case Manager with over 15 years of experience in social work, specializing in the care and advocacy of older adults. Originally from Indiana, Rachael and her family relocated to Arizona in 2021, bringing with her a wealth of expertise and compassion for serving seniors and their families.

Rachael’s passion for working with older adults stems from the early loss of her grandparents during college, a pivotal experience that deepened her appreciation for the wisdom and stories of the aging population. She began her career focused on child welfare, earning her Bachelor of Social Work from Ball State University in 2009. However, her professional path shifted toward aging services when she joined CICOA, the Area Agency on Aging in Indiana. There, she served as both a Case Manager and later a Case Manager Team Lead, coordinating resources that enabled seniors and individuals with disabilities to live safely and independently in their homes.

Rachael is known for applying strong ethics, integrity, and clinical insight to her work, always prioritizing dignity and respect in the services she coordinates. She is especially passionate about bridging the gap between aging clients and their geographically distant families—ensuring loved ones stay informed, involved, and confident in the care being provided.

Outside of work, Rachael enjoys spending time with her husband and four children. Whether she’s cheering on her kids at sports events, gardening, or exploring Arizona’s natural beauty, she finds joy and balance in her family life.

With over 41 years of nursing experience and a lifelong dedication to senior care, Shannon Sobarzo brings deep expertise, compassion, and leadership to her role as a Senior Care Manager. Her passion for healthcare began early, graduating from Maryvale High School in 1984 and the following day from Phoenix Union AVC LPN program.

She is an avid learner and enjoys being challenged. Throughout her career, she has held a variety of leadership roles including Unit Charge Nurse, Staff Development Coordinator, Manager of Infection Control and Wound Care, Wellness Clinic Manager along with holding the position of Director at a local Adult Day Program. Her broad range of experience reflects a deep commitment to improving the lives of older adults across all levels of care.

For the past 25 years, Shannon has been a respected figure in case management in Sun City and the surrounding areas. Known for her integrity, compassion and commitment to excellence, she is a fierce advocate for her clients. Her philosophy is deep rooted in treating clients with the same care and respect she gives her own parents, who live next door.

​An Arizona native, Shannon, thrives in her small-town community where she enjoys outdoor activities, relaxing poolside in the sun or riding her electric bike (for the uphill portions). While building her career, Shannon also raised a family. She values time with family and friends, often sharing meaningful conversation and great meals around the table. Her warmth and unwavering dedication make her a trusted partner in navigating the complexities of aging all while multi-tasking and ensuring quality of the care provided is exceptional and time managed.

​She is passionate about senior wellness, aging in place solutions and is committed to empowering older adults and loved ones through every stage of their journey.

Kate Sawert grew up in Arizona, watching her parents support friends and neighbors through life’s transitions. That example of quiet service shaped her early values. While a love for the performing arts marked her youth, everything shifted when she met a physical therapist working in the medical practice her mother managed—igniting a new and lasting passion.

Kate went on to earn both a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Physical Therapy from Northern Arizona University. Over a 30-year career, she served in pediatric, orthopedic, home health, and acute care settings, always with the goal of improving both function and quality of life for her patients.

She developed a deep connection with older adults, cherishing their stories and wisdom. Her passion for education led her to design health and wellness workshops and speak across the country. She later taught at Franklin Pierce University, Plymouth State University, and Midwestern University, focusing on behavioral science and the psychosocial aspects of health care.

Among her most meaningful experiences was caring for her own parents as their health declined—a role she embraced with love and gratitude.

As a home health physical therapist in Phoenix, Kate partnered with patients and families to identify resources and preserve dignity, autonomy, and well-being. Today, she brings that same compassion and expertise to her work as a Thoughtful Engagement® Specialist at Geriatric Resources, where she uplifts lives through connection, empathy, and joy.

Janice grew up nestled near her great-grandmother and grandparents, surrounded by love and wisdom passed through generations. Traveling with her grandmother added a spark of adventure to those formative years and deepened her bond with older people—her cherished companions and teachers. Helping them came naturally, and that gentle compassion shaped the path ahead.

As a teenager, Janice felt a calling: to become a teacher. She pursued her dream at Brigham Young University, earning a Bachelor of Science in Education. For the next 18 years, she taught with grace and conviction, igniting young minds and nurturing their growth. Never one to shy away from new challenges, Janice earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Seattle University, along with a Washington State Principal’s Certificate—opening the door to school leadership.

Over the next 18 years, Janice served as a principal with warmth and vision. She became a pillar in her school community, building trust, fostering meaningful relationships with students, families, and educators, and creating a culture where all felt seen, respected, and empowered to grow.

Her devotion to others deepened when her mother, widowed at age 59, came to live with her. Janice embraced the role of caregiver, sharing years of love, laughter, and everyday joy until her mother’s peaceful passing at age 98. After retiring from education, Janice became her mother’s full-time companion—an experience she describes as one of the most profound and beautiful chapters of her life. Through this intimate time, she not only honored her mother’s dignity but also reaffirmed her devotion to the elderly.

Today, Janice continues that devotion as a Thoughtful Engagement® Specialist, where she cultivates joy, sparks meaningful connections, and brings fun into the lives of seniors. It’s more than a role—it’s an expression of the love and care that have defined her life. Through gentle conversation, shared laughter, and personalized care, Janice uplifts those who’ve paved the way before her, making their days brighter and their spirits lighter.

Her story is a quiet masterpiece of service, strength, and soul.

“To care for those who once cared for us is one of the highest honors.” — Tia Walker