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    • Home
    • About
      • Our Mission
      • Our Team
      • Age-Friendly Care
      • FAQ
    • Services
      • Our Services
      • Healthcare Advocacy
      • Senior Care Options
      • Insurance Guidance
      • Legal Referrals
      • Financial Referrals
      • Guardianship
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Resources
    • Reviews
    • Contact Us

  • Home
  • About
    • Our Mission
    • Our Team
    • Age-Friendly Care
    • FAQ
  • Services
    • Our Services
    • Healthcare Advocacy
    • Senior Care Options
    • Insurance Guidance
    • Legal Referrals
    • Financial Referrals
    • Guardianship
  • Events
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Reviews
  • Contact Us

Our Team

Paula Kelley, MSN, NCG

Lauren Yannarella, RN, BSN

Lauren Yannarella, RN, BSN

CEO & Owner


Paula is one of seven nationally certified guardians in North Carolina.  Formerly a nurse practitioner, she holds a master’s degree in nursing from the Medical University of South Carolina and has extensive experience in the healthcare field. 



Lauren Yannarella, RN, BSN

Lauren Yannarella, RN, BSN

Lauren Yannarella, RN, BSN

Healthcare Advocate


  Sitting down with Lauren is like sitting down with a trusted friend, who also happens to be a nurse with over 17 years of experience. Lauren encourages clients to consider what is important to them, and how these values can be supported as clients age and experience the many health challenges that can come. Lauren helps clients access education and resources so that they can be empowered to make the choices that support them and their unique needs and circumstances. Her experience as a palliative care nurse has helped her to grow into a strong advocate for clients, and she has years of experience in the Asheville hospitals, where she has strong relationships with many doctors and other healthcare workers. She is honored to bring this experience to NCGCM to help our clients age in the way that they choose. 

Teresa Suttles, LBSW

Lauren Yannarella, RN, BSN

Kim Shaffer, BSN, RN, NC-BC

Healthcare Advocate

Kim Shaffer, BSN, RN, NC-BC

Kim Shaffer, BSN, RN, NC-BC

Kim Shaffer, BSN, RN, NC-BC

Healthcare Advocate


Kim has dedicated over 35 years to the nursing profession, with a focus on home assessments for the aging population. Committed to improving the quality of life for seniors, she has guided individuals through the complexities of home care, disease processes, and prevention strategies—particularly in heart health, as a board-certified coach.


Through her extensive experience, Kim has developed a deep understanding of the challenges faced by older adults, empowering them to maintain their independence and navigate healthcare systems with compassionate support.


As a healthcare advocate, Kim believes strongly in agency and self-determination for seniors. She is committed to helping individuals make informed decisions about their care, honoring the inherent worth of every person, regardless of age.


Affiliate Link for Kim

Sarah Kelley, CAPS

Kim Shaffer, BSN, RN, NC-BC

Jomie Alvarez, CAPM®

Healthcare Advocate


Sarah is a doctoral student in Occupational Therapy and CAPS certified - trained to provide home modification expertise to better assist individuals as the age in place. CAPS professionals focus on ensuring safety, mobility, and comfort for clients as they navigate areas in their home that are causing or may potentially cause difficulty. Modifications can range from simple quick fixes to elaborate remodeling depending on the client’s needs, goals, preferences, and budgets. 

Jomie Alvarez, CAPM®

Kim Shaffer, BSN, RN, NC-BC

Jomie Alvarez, CAPM®

Admin Assistant


 Jomie has a nursing background and experience in both customer service and project management. She is HIPAA Certified and a Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM®). She brings healthcare knowledge, compliance expertise and administrative skills to her role.

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