Silver Living Strategies
A Silver Living Strategist
Certificates & Education
- Board Certified Dementia Educator
- Universal Design Specialist
- Certified Dementia Practitioner
- Master Trainer- Best Friends Approach to Alzheimer’s Care
- Leadership in Dementia Special Care Units
- Activity Director – MEPAP
- Caregiver Support Group Facilitator
Thought Leader • Strategic Advisor
With nearly 25 years of both high-level leadership in long term living settings and family care advocacy coupled with her online presence as a web-educator reaching a global audience; Ellen Belk has a comprenehnsive scope of the Dementia care and aging landscape unlike most others.
She’s held leadership roles within several prominent organizations such as Ascension, Brookdale, Atria, Milestone Retirement and Elegance Senior Living.
Professional Associations
- Nat'l Small Business Assoc. (NSBA) Leadership Council
- National Aging in Place Council (NAIPC)
- Individuals Caring for the Elderly (ICE)
- former Vice-Chair - Lancaster Co. Health & Wellness Commission
- former Board Member - Lancaster Co. Council on Aging
Change Agent
In the early 2000's Ellen launched the Mature Musician program in a collaborative partnership with the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music. A first-of-it's kind initiative featuring music lessons for older adults & a 'Singing Seniors' choir comprised of folks LIVING with cognitive decline. The program garnered significant media attention and applause at the time.
In 2017 as the National Director with Milestone Retirement Communities, Ellen guided the entire company to transition their language from Memory Care to Memory Support.
She recognized the ‘pulse’ of the consumer trends at the time, which sought to move from clinical language to more holistic terms.
Ellen has a trademarked operational system for longterm living operations based on her TEAM™ approach. The 360 System® includes a customized operational playbook & on-going training support for Assisted living/Memory support environments, smaller Residential care communities and Home Health operations.
In 2022, Ellen launched the '7 Minute Speaker Series' audio event, featuring colleagues and change agents in the aged-care economy. Each 45 minute session is filled with 'knowledge nuggets' and thoughtful banter on timely topics pertaining to Dementia and other age related info.
NEW! in 2025 'When No One is Listening' real & raw conversations between care economy executives. stay tuned. coming soon!
Offering Silver Living Strategies
Leveraging Experience
Ellen Belk has over two decades of practice advising from the C-suite to the frontlines. A hands-on servant leader, she prides herself in being an advocate voice that champions for improved outcomes for older adults.
Her mission is to Elevate the Global Dementia IQ! while simultaneously challenging folks to:
"see-the-world from the vantage point of those graceful agers all around us." - ellen
Professional Strategies
Customized Strategic Advising support for any business or organization with aging clients, customers or visitors impacted by Dementia.
Although you have expertise in your 'professional lane', some of your clients/customers may benefit from a more customized approach that incorporates our expert strategies and ideas.
- Elder Law attorneys, Financial Planners, Realtors, Home Health agencies, professional Senior living Management companies, Architect/Developers building aged-care living environments, Hotels & Hospitality settings, Religious & Faith based organizations.... the list is endless!
Ellen can be a Strategic Advisor on retainer, a Fractional Executive leader on your team or available by the hour for a fee. Add an expert! for optimal outcomes.
Dementia Design Strategies
An expert advisor for Architects, General Contractors and Developers during preconstruction planning of purpose built aged-care environments. Ellen's extensive experience in senior housing operations gives her a vantage point that's critical on the front-end of your project.
Far too often, the final senior living structures have construction/design elements that hinder operational success for those who live and work within the building. Thus, creating day-to-day issues that can negatively impact the quality of life for those the structure is supposed to support.
An asset to Interior Designers as well!
- Supportive artwork and decor
- Furniture choices and placement
- Flooring
Far too often, design elements within the care environment impede daily success for those being served.
Ellen can be a Strategic Advisor on retainer, a Fractional Executive leader on your team or available by the hour for a fee. Add an expert! for optimal outcomes.
Family Care Strategies
Referral based - Concierge support for aging citizens in North and South Carolina that includes:
- Cognitive Assessment
- Age-in-place cunsultative advice
- Online education for family caregivers
- Supportive guidance for those considering long-term living placement
To receive concierge access to Ellen Belk we prefer to be introduced to perspective family members or responsible parties through our trusted network of providers and colleagues in the Carolinas.
Service providers can CONTACT US to discuss further before introducing their client to Ellen.
Vision
Through servant leadership and collaborative partnerships combined with subject matter expertise; continue to raise awareness of aging-related issues and advocate for change within the marketplace.
Values
Embrace Change
Empower People
Give Voice
Do Good
Offer Strategic Solutions
