About Us

At ElderAssist, our St. Louis Aging Life Care Professionals/ Geriatric Care Managers are experienced professionals who specialize in assisting older adults, those that are disabled, and their families find alternatives to solve problems. We have extensive knowledge about quality, costs and availability of services in the community to help them remain independent as long as possible.

In addition, our knowledge of financial services will assess for Medicare choices, Medicaid eligibility and asset protection.

Through knowledge and compassion, ElderAssist can intercede in a crisis situation and continue to monitor the care needs of your loved one.

ElderAssist St. Louis

2190 S. Mason Road
Suite 205
St. Louis, MO 63131
(314) 821-9111 Office
(314) 821-7082 Fax

Maggie Cody-Reckert, Owner/Medicaid Specialist

Maggie has over 30 years of experience in the field of Elder Care and Medicaid Planning. She was previously a supervisor with the State of Missouri's Family Support Division, Medicaid office. Maggie is also Co-Founder of ElderAssist.com, an important resource for Elder Care Case Managers seeking real time placement options. Her vast knowledge of the Medicaid programs can help families access benefit programs that they may not have known were available. This can include home health, assisted living and nursing home programs. She will develop a customized plan to fit what the family's goals and needs are for a given situation, which can include asset protection. Maggie is a graduate of St. Louis University and a native St. Louisian.

Diane Smith, M.S., CMC, Aging Life Care Advanced Professional, Lead Geriatric Care Manager

Diane is a professional geriatric care manager with more than 24 years experience providing personalized and compassionate services to older adults and persons with disabilities. Diane holds a B.A. in Gerontology and a Masters degree in Health Care Management from Lindenwood University. She has been a member of the National Association of the Aging Life Care Association™ since 2001, and is recognized through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers as a "Care Manager Certified" (CMC). Diane loves reading, traveling, and cooking.

Angie VanDenBerg, MSG, CMC, Aging Life Care Advanced Professional/Geriatric Care Manager

Angie has been working in the aging field since 2004 and has a tremendous wealth of knowledge to share with her clients. Angie received her Bachelors of Social Work degree from Missouri State University in 2006 and her Masters of Science in Gerontology (MSG) from The University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2013. She has been a member of the Aging Life Care Association™ since 2013 and is recognized through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers as a "Care Manager Certified" (CMC).

Terri Nolan, OTR/L, CMC, CAPS, Aging Life Care Advanced Professional/ Geriatric Care Manager

Terri is an occupational therapist, licensed in Missouri and Illinois. She has been caring for clients ranging from birth to the elderly for over 20 years. Terri has 12 years experience working with seniors and their families. Terri received her degree in Business Adminstration from William Woods University and studied occupational therapy at Washington University School of Medicine. Terri has earned the designation of Certified Aging-In-Place Specialist (CAPS). Her recommendations for environmental adaptations help clients remain in their home safely with maximum independence. Terri has a strong belief in the benefits of animal-assisted therapy and has enjoyed volunteering her time with Therapy Dogs International. She is a member of the Aging Life Care Association and is recognized through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers as “Care Manager Certified” (CMC). Terri is certified as a Age Safe America Senior Home Safety Specialist.

Rita Oldani, LCSW, MPH, LMT, RYT, Death Doula, Geriatric Care Manger

Rita is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in geriatrics. She has a 30 year history working with the elderly in a variety of settings ranging from hospitals, in-home care, hospice, assisted living facilities and independent homes. Rita has worked with individuals and families facing Alzheimers, grief, cancer, addiction and discordant family systems. All the while honoring the individuality of each involved and striving to find the optimum solution with the least personal and environmental disruption. Rita is also a Certified Death Doula, assisting families in a unique way in identifying and creating the death experience their loved one desires. She is also a massage therapist, Reiki Master Teacher and Yoga instructor. Her various specialties all assist in bringing a wide range of tools to the table for problem solving, resolution of chronic pain and anxiety.

Nora Leritz, MSW, LCSW, Geriatric Care Manger

Nora is a licensed clinical social worker with a thirty year history in the area of medical social work and case management services. Nora’s educational background includes degrees from University of California Santa Barbara and University of Missouri-Columbia where she was awarded the Superior Graduate Achievement Award in recognition of excellence in the areas of academics, teaching, research, and extension in the community. Her employment background includes social work and case management services at the Community Placement program in Fulton MO, SSM Rehabilitation Hospital in Richmond Heights and Bridgeton MO, as well as outpatient case management services at the Kirkwood Day Institute, Kirkwood MO. Her work in the field of rehabilitation covers experience with acquired neurological injuries such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease, head injury, spinal cord injury, amputees, and orthopedic injuries. Nora was with the Next Step Elder Assist 1996-2004 and returns to geriatric care management in 2020.

Tina Gust, Geriatric Care Manager

Tina has 20 years experience in geriatic patient care. She possesses extensive experience in memory care and assisted living. Certified in Advanced Person Centered Dementia care. Tina is a 2018 DAISY award recipient. Tina is a thirty year resident of Weldon Spring and an active community member.

Erin Schneider, LCSW, CMC, Aging Life Care Associate Member/Geriatric Care Manager

Erin Schneider received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2000. She received her Master's in Social Work from Loyola University Chicago in 2003 and became a licensed clinical social worker in 2005. She spent 10 years working as an Oncology Social Worker and Patient Navigator in Chicago. She helped link patients and families with concrete resources to ensure they were able to access their cancer treatment. When appropriate, she also referred patients to palliative care and hospice so they could face the end of life with comfort and dignity. Erin is recognized through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers as “Care Manager Certified” (CMC).

Catherine Ray, MSG, CMC, Aging Life Care Advanced Professional/Geriatric Care Manager

Catherine was inspired to become a Geriatric Care Manager through her experience with older loved ones who suffered cognitive and physical declines. She knows the frustration, heartache, and non-stop stress experienced by family caregivers. Catherine brings this experience, knowledge, compassion and empathy to her work with older clients and their families. She is a gifted family coach helping families understand what they can and cannot control. She is effective with older adults, meeting them exactly where they are, validating their experience, and earning their trust. Catherine has made a profound positive impact on the lives of her clients and their families. Catherine earned a Master of Science in Gerontology (MSG) from University of Missouri, St. Louis, has been a member of Aging Life Care Association since 2012, and is recognized through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers as a “Care Manager Certified” (CMC).

Margaret Cochran OT/L, Geriatric Care Manager

Mar is an Occupational Therapist licensed in Missouri with over 30 years of experience working in rehabilitation and home health care. Mar has expertise in the areas of Fall prevention and Motivational Interviewing and taught for several years as a guest lecturer at St Louis University’s Occupational Therapy program. She is a member of the Aging Life Care Association. Mar’s interest in care management is rooted in caring for her own family members, her strong empathy for others, and her extensive home health care experience. She enjoys hiking, kayaking, gardening and travel.

Hannah Tolan, MA Gerontology, Care Manager, Office Assistant

Hannah has a Master’s degree in Gerontology from Lindenwood University and also a Bachelor's Degree in Radiological Sciences from SIU Carbondale. She fell in love with seniors when she went back to school for her Master’s and worked part time as in-home caregiver. After graduating with her MA, Hannah worked for private duty in home care agencies as both a Case Manager and Client Relations Manager. She also was a Care Transitions Coach and helped seniors over 60 with a hospital to home program to prevent re-admissions to the hospital. Before coming to the Next Step ElderAssist, Hannah worked as a Case Worker at Saric Consulting helping clients and families apply for Long Term Care and Supportive Living Medicaid for residents in IL. Hannah helps with day-to-day office tasks, billing, assists Maggie with Medicaid clients, and does Care Management duties. She enjoys writing, entertaining friends, going to church, and makes homemade jellies and jam with her family.