OUR TEAM

BRENDEN SHANNON

Certified Dementia Practitioner

Chief Executive Officer

Brenden was born in Soroako, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Both his parents were born in Pittsburgh PA. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his daughters, friends and competing in Ironman triathlons. His favorite movie is Saving Private Ryan and his favorite musician is U2. As for food, it’s Tex Mex.

In his free time you can find Brenden spending time with his precious two daughters and serving the community with his church.

Brenden attended Blinn Jr. College in Bryan TX, Texas A&M University-Mays Business School in College Station TX and University of Houston Main Campus-C.T. Bauer College of Business Executive Education in Houston TX. Receiving a Double Major and Triple Minor.

AMY CALDER

Chief Medical Officer Gerontological Nurse Practitioner MSN, ANCC, APRN

Amy received degrees in Biology and Theology from the University of Notre Dame in 1996. She then went to nursing school and received her BSN from St. Mary’s College in 1997. After that, she went straight to graduate school and received her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a focus on gerontology. She has been certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) as a Gerontological Nurse Practitioner since 1998 and is recognized by the Texas Board of Nursing as an Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN).

When choosing her nursing specialty, Amy focused on her lifelong love of the elderly, and their unfortunate, but frequent, lack of support. Many other specialties enticed her, and probably would have been more glamorous. In general, working with the elderly is physically and emotionally taxing, but Amy knew they needed advocates. She has always been very conscious to treat her elderly patients with compassion in all areas of their life - mind, body, and spirit.

Brenda Patrick

Certified Dementia Practitioner RN, Case Management Specialist Vice President of Case Management

Brenda Patrick has always known she would be a nurse. When asked as a little girl what she wanted to be when she grew up, her answer was a nurse and that is what she did. Brenda has 47 years of experience in nursing. Upon graduating from Houston Technical Institute Vocational High School, she began her career as a Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN). Brenda continued her education and obtained her RN license. At 17 Brenda started her first job at Methodist Hospital in the Fondren and Brown Cardiovascular Recovery Unit under Dr. Michael E. DeBakey where she worked for two years. Brenda continued her career at St. Lukes Episcopal Hospital where she gained experience in all areas of critical care working with Dr. Denton Cooley. During Brenda’s 30 years of service with St. Lukes Episcopal Hospital she worked in neuro ICU, coronary care, pediatric ICU, transplant ICU, and hemodialysis. Because of her exceptional bedside manner and being known for her attention to detail she took on the position as charge nurse and unit preceptor to new graduate nurses. Before leaving St. Luke’s the Woodlands Brenda was the case manager responsible for discharge planning following post-acute care. Brenda is currently working in Hospice as a case manager. It was at this time Brenda felt she was being called to serve and care for the special needs of patients with dementia related disease processes. She then became a certified dementia practitioner.

Brenda has been married for 42 years and has four daughters, 10 grandkids and one grand-dog. She enjoys baking, gardening and cooking for her family. Brenda takes pride in caring for others. It is in her very core to be a nurturer and caregiver.

ANDREA OSBORN

Certified Dementia Practitioner, MA, LCDC, MAC & AADC, Vice President of Human Resources, Counseling, and Mediation

Andrea has been a counselor/therapist for over thirty years. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California with a Master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance and Pepperdine University in Malibu, California with a Bachelor’s degree in Communications. She is also a Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor, Master Addictions Counselor, Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and works with Geriatric Substance Use clients who abuse alcohol and opiates. Lastly, Andrea is also a Transitional Lifestyle Coach for seniors and their families. When she is not working, Andrea likes to read, cook, hang out with friends and family, and listen to a lot of good old classic rock. She also has two cats - one that is “special needs” and the other is her eighteen pound brother.

Through many hours of research Andrea felt blessed to find Complete Dementia Solutions when trying to place a loved one who has Lewy Body Dementia within a memory care community. She says there are large placement companies with huge advertising budgets out there, but found out the hard way, that they do not specialize in memory care placement only. This caused undue stress on Andrea as she was advised to search through the wilderness of memory care communities that were supplied to her with no assistance from these companies. Memory care communities are definitely not a 'one size fits all' as there are many types of dementia and levels of care. This can lead to ill-informed placement resulting in a short-term stay which can be physically and emotionally devastating to the dementia resident. Once she came across Complete Dementia Solutions, it became apparent to her that she was at the right source to get assistance for her loved one. The CEO of Complete Dementia Solutions was available at the time that she called. He conducted an assessment, personally checked out distinctive locations that accepted Lewy Body Dementia clients, and took everything off of her plate while taking Andrea through the entire process with compassion and empathy. She says she did not find this type of support with any other placement company. It was because of all of this that she was not only impressed with the impeccable service provided but felt led to join a company that sincerely helps those in critical need of dementia and Alzheimer’s guidance. Andrea's mother passed away three and one-half years ago of Alzheimer’s, and she only wished that there could have been a company like Complete Dementia Solutions to have helped her through her fourteen-year journey with Alzheimer’s in finding the correct placement she desperately needed. Andrea feels this is now her opportunity to assist families find the proper memory care placement for their loved one’s as well as providing counseling and mediation to those who request these additional services.

MELISSA SNYDER

Certified Dementia Practitioner, PTA

Melissa was born in Corpus Christi, Texas and moved to Houston when she was two years old. With that, she considers Houston her hometown. Melissa started working in the medical field at seventeen at a minor emergency clinic for her co-op job in high school. Her next ten years of experience was spent in medical and physical therapy office settings conducting insurance verification, scheduling, billing and collections, occasional marketing, and eventually office management.

When her daughter was born, she was blessed to be able to stay home with her throughout her first five years of life. At that time, Melissa took the opportunity to go back to school for what she believed had always been her calling. She spent the next three years in school; the first year getting all of her prerequisite classes and observation hours completed to apply for the Physical Therapist Assistant program. She was accepted into the program at Lone Star College – Montgomery campus where she spent the next two years taking her required courses to sit for her state board licensing exam.

SUSAN COOPMAN-MOSER

Certified Dementia Practitioner, CAADCT

Julie Mosier

PhD, Clinical Psychologist, Caregiver Counseling

SUZANNE TRUAX

RN, Area Sales Manager, and Wellness Director

Kim Hegwood

J.D. & P.C. and Elder Lawyer Certified Dementia Practitioner and CAADCT

Kimberly Hegwood is an Elder Law and Estate Planning Attorney based in Houston, Texas. Kim has been a practicing Attorney since 1997 after graduating from South Texas College of Law. After watching her grandparents struggle to maintain their independence as they grew older, trying to navigate the challenges of aging, and deal with the legal, financial, and emotional challenges that our loved ones face in the second half of life, Kim dedicated her career to helping families plan for their future, protect their loves ones and guide them through the unexpected.

Kim started her own law firm in 1998 so she could practice law her way – with a focus on family. Kim is passionate about educating her clients, helping them choose legal strategies that will achieve their goals and help them age with security and dignity. As a mother of three, Kim enjoys spending most of her free time with her children and grandchildren when she is not volunteering at one of her favorite charities.

Kim’s practice focuses exclusively on Elder Law, Asset Protection, Estate Planning, Special Needs Planning, Medicaid Crisis Planning, Probate, and Guardianship. As our country’s population of seniors continues to grow, dementia in all its forms and the disorders associated with it will only become more urgent—for individuals, for their families and caregivers, and for society as a whole. Kim understands what her clients are going through and dedicates herself and her practice to treating each of her clients as
if they were her own family. Kim takes pride in helping families after facing a diagnosis of Dementia to help avoid a costly guardianship process and going broke to pay for long term care. Kim continues to expand her practice to better serve the needs of individuals throughout their golden years.

Between personal experiences, being a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and being a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Kim and the team at Hegwood Law Group have the experience and expertise to assist you and your family to ensure peace of mind and the utmost quality of llife.

Blanche D. Smith

J.D. & P.C.

Legal Counsel and Elder Lawyer

Blanche D. Smith received her Juris Doctorate degree (Cum Laude) from South Texas College of Law in 1992. Blanche is admitted to practice in the Texas county and state courts, the District Court for the Southern District of Texas and the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. She is a member of the Real Estate, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Texas Bar Association and the Probate, Trusts and Estates Section of the Houston Bar Association.

Blanche is also accredited for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for veterans’ benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Blanche is also a member of Lawyers With Purpose, which is a unique organization of like-minded attorneys who bring sincere empathy and compassion to their work. Lawyers With Purpose members share a philosophy that each person is an individual who deserves respect and the highest quality of life possible, regardless of age or ability.

https://bdsmith-law.com/ Although I grew up in New Orleans, I moved to Texas in my 20s, went to law school at South Texas College of Law in Houston and, upon graduation, I practiced as a litigator in Federal Court for many, many years. Interestingly, although I was not in estate planning at the time, per se, I was many times on the other end trying to defeat trusts and other estate plans which gave me an invaluable and side-line education on how estate plans should be drafted. While my Mom (who I was very close to) was in her early 60s, she started having memory issues and was eventually diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer's (actually Lewy Body Syndrome). Before we even knew what we were dealing with, my Dad had a stroke that left him mentally and physically incapacitated. He recovered somewhat, but he was never quite “the same”. My Mom and Dad hid things well and, in fact, we thought they had a long-term care plan in place, i.e. savings, insurance, investments, . . . something since they worked all of their lives. That would soon be tested as the truth of my Mom’s condition began to surface. She began having problems at her job and her office tried to fire her thinking that she wasn’t doing her job well anymore. Now, in hindsight, we know that it was the disease. Anyway, she was going to lose her “pension”. So, I represented her and negotiated a deal so she would be able to leave the company with dignity and keep her pension. “OK,” I thought, “[s]he has a pension – GREAT!” But, I never found out how much that “pension” was... Eventually, my sister and I started realizing and admitting to ourselves that something was REALLY off with my Mom and Dad. When we asked about a Will, etc., they said they had none. So, of course, I contacted some lawyers in New Orleans and we had both my Mom and Dad execute their Wills, Powers of Attorney, Medical Powers of Attorney and Directives naming my sister and me as the Agents under the Powers. My sister lives in New Orleans and she took care of them for a long time there. Eventually, after my parents refused to evacuate for Hurricane Katrina, we moved them here to The Woodlands and sold their house– I knew my Mom was meant to be near me. We put them in Assisted Living at a very nice place near me, but I quickly learned that nice places are outrageously expensive. This is when the truth of their financial situation hit! As it turned out, they had NOTHING but less than $100,000 and their house (which was even less than that) to their name. That “pension” my Mom had only paid $70.00 a month. That $100,000 they had was because my Dad — who remember was not “all there” mentally — cashed in their IRAs and took a severe penalty – they lost at least half of the value of their IRAs. Then, after we moved them to Assisted Living near me, we found out that my Dad was not treating my Mom well and my Mom was deteriorating more from her disease. So, we moved my Dad to a different Assisted Living facility and my Mom to a Memory Care unit (which is even more expensive) in the same place close to me. So, NOW they were having to pay for TWO units — they were having to pay around $11,000 per month!!! YEP – do the math for long term care and compare to what they had financially and time and their financial resources were not on our side! My sister and I were blessed to have what we had, but neither of us could have afforded our own family situations and paid for my Mom and Dad to remain in a nice place. Now with the knowledge of my Mom and Dad’s true financial situation, that “Oh my gosh! What are we going to do when Mom and Dad run out of money?” feeling hit. So, my sister and I began the journey through an unbelievable maze and tried to get my Dad covered by VA benefits because he had served in Korea. Ultimately, we successfully navigated our way through and my Dad received his benefits but it took two (2) years. So, he moved to a VA home in New Orleans and was very happy there being with colleagues of war and close enough to get visits from his brother. Meanwhile, in 2005, I had boy/girl twins and cut back to part–time work lawyering because they required a lot of attention, even though I had full time assistance with their care, and my Mom and Dad required attention. I watched that awful disease my Mom had slowly steal away her memory, her dignity and eventually all of her body. My Mom died in 2012 at the age of 74. Much to my surprise, my Mom did have a funeral plan and when I walked into the room with her casket, there she laid in a slate blue casket, her favorite color, and she was finally at peace and rid of that awful disease. The very next year, 2013, my husband, Steve, had a heart attack. Yes, “IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU” became a reality for me. Thankfully, his surgery was a success and we are blessed to be able to continue to raise our family and practice law together. Then, two years later, in 2015, my Dad passed away unexpectedly. Although I already knew about Estate Planning, etc…, with what I experienced with my parents, I learned the hard way about Elder Law. So throughout this whole process, I gradually started focusing my practice in the Estate Planning and Elder Law arena to educate people in various independent and assisted living facilities about the importance of estate planning, how it all works and the reality of what happens when you don’t plan and it led me back to full time practice in this area. In addition to seniors, I try to reach a lot of the younger generation too because you need to start planning when you can qualify for things like Long Term Care Insurance (which will pay for nice facilities when you need it, instead of you paying $11,000 per month out of your pocket). I love what I do. And, every time I walk into a senior community, whether to give a workshop or design a plan for a client, my Mom is with me. My mothers favorite color slate blue reminds me of my Mom’s journey and my own journey with her and it reminds me of why I do what I do. Whether I am teaching a workshop or sitting at a conference table working on an estate plan, I am not just there as a lawyer – I am a daughter, a sister, a mom and a wife that understands the importance of having a plan that provides you and your family with financial protection to the fullest extent possible and mental peace of mind.

Saul Gauthier

Certified Dementia Practitioner

Skilled Nursing Specialist

Area Sales and Marketing Manager

Saul is a graduate of Northwestern State University where he received his Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. Immediately after college Saul accepted a job in management in a major retail company where he developed his management and administrative abilities. During his career in retail Saul felt a calling to use his experience and abilities to care for the elderly. Watching his grandmother suffer with dementia was a huge motivator that aided in Saul's healthcare career in a management role at a skilled nursing facility. Saul enjoyed his time helping the residents and making sure they got the best care. From there he moved on to work in several skilled nursing facilities throughout the years until he got the opportunity to be the marketing director for a well known assisted living memory care company where he received his certified dementia practitioner certification. Saul found his true calling aiding and helping families navigate the road of senior placement. He currently work at a skilled nursing facility where he helps families place their loved ones who need 24/7 care. Saul specializes in getting potential residents approved both financially and clinically to make sure they get the best care and provides options for the families. He has a passion for what he does, and he advocates for his residents. Saul feels that nothing is more fulfilling than making a difference in someone's life and following your heart.

Joseph Wehrly

CPA

Veterans Assistance Specialist

Investment Advisor Representative Joseph Wehrly has more than twelve years’ experience in the insurance and financial services industry. He serves clients by providing guidance across several areas of their finances, including investments, 401(k) plans, taxes and insurance. Joseph holds the Series 65 security license, insurance license, Certified Tax Preparer and a Registered Tax Return Preparer.

Joseph’s mission is to help his clients potentially grow their assets and reduce their tax liability. As an Investment Adviser Representative, he is required to adhere to the fiduciary standard, meaning he must do what is in the best interest of his clients, rather than making recommendations that are simply suitable. His business philosophy is to “do what’s right, every time.”

Michael Snasel

CPA

Long Term Health Insurance Specialist

Mike's mother lived with dementia, so he can relate to what you are going through and the burden of the additional financial stress and worry. He is here to help you out with the Complete Dementia Solutions team. He would like to share with you the most cost-effective financial solutions, including the option of Long Term Health Insurance to bring peace of mind now and in the future. Mike is a Business Administration graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi, and Series 65 IAR, representing LifePro Asset Management. Mike is a highly sought after Financial Advisor with over 35 years of planning experience.

Kim SUmrall

Certified Dementia Practitioner

Area Sales Manager

Kim was born in New Orleans and was raised in Philadelphia. She moved to Texas in 1978 where she started her sales career started with her Dad and his company. Kim has two adults children and five grandchildren. She has been in the healthcare industry for twenty-five years and started out in assisted living and memory care. Kim has been in hospice and memory care since 1990 when her father was diagnosed with early onset dementia and having both her grandmothers pass from Alzheimer's and Lewy Body dementia. Kim is a people person and loves helping families. Her passion is dementia care for those who have a difficult time expressing their voice.

Stephen Catoe

Consultant, Trainer & Coach in Positive Approach Care, C.V.W, C.A.D., Gerontology & Case Management

Stephen is a native Texan. Born in Houston, he moved to Austin in 1985. He now resides in nearby Lockhart with his soulmate of more than 30 years in a restored house that is 120 years old. He has two beautiful beagle girls and three rescued cats. He has a passion for collecting antique clocks, particularly 18th and 19th century clocks. Stephen enjoys painting in his free time, having majored in art at the University of Houston.

Stephen is a Certified Assisted Living Manager having spent sixteen years serving as a Memory Care Director. He managed Memory Care Programs ranging from twenty to forty-two residents. He is also a Certified Activity Director and has certifications in Gerontology and Case Management from the former Texas Consortium on Gerontology.

Stephen is a Certified Validation Worker in The Feil Method of Validation.

In Positive Approach to Care, created by the esteemed dementia educator, Teepa Snow, MS, OTR/L, FAOTA, he holds multiple certifications. He is rated as accomplished as a Consultant, Trainer and Coach. He actively works as a consultant, educator and dementia coach.

His goal is Culture Change. His favorite quote is from G. Allen Power, M.D.: “Dementia is a shift in the way a person experiences the world around her/him.” He believes that until we understand the “experiences” of the person living with dementia, we can’t truly understand their needs and wants. As Teepa Snow puts it, “Seeing it from the other side.” Empathy can’t be taught, but we all have it in us to learn it.