About - Holistic Aging

Holistic Aging - About Us

Life Care Management services offered through Holistic Aging-Options For Elder Care is based upon a belief that …. the body shouldn’t be looked at as individual parts, but rather our holistic approach looks at how the many parts and systems of the body interact and support one another. Our focus is on the Root Cause of the issue we are helping our clients resolve.

Barbara Kolonay RN BSN MS CCM

President

Bobbi graduated from Duquesne University with her Bachelor of Science of Nursing degree and then from La Roche University with her Master of Science in Human Resource Management.

Certified Case Manager (CCM)
Certified Holistic Nurse (HNB-BC)
On the Board of Directors and current Fellow of the Leadership Academy of the Aging Life Care Association (formerly the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers)
Certified Clinical Aromatherapist
Reiki Practitioner
Herbal Medicine Practitioner
Studied Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in China, Ayurvedic Medicine in India and made a medical trip to Peru and the Amazon Rainforest to study plant medicine in October of 2019.

Professional Background

Bobbi graduated from Duquesne University with her Bachelor of Science of Nursing degree and then from La Roche University with her Master of Science in Human Resource Management.

Bobbi is a known expert in Aging Care. She has garnered the attention of news and literary sources for her work and expertise. Below is a small sample of articles she has been featured in:

Reader’s Digest: 34 Ways to Survive Your Next Trip to the Hospital
Consumer Reports: 5 Steps for Choosing the Right Assisted Living Community
Consumer Reports: Home Care: How to Give Your Parents the Help They Need

Her Story

Bobbi has always acted on her passion for helping elderly. As a young child she sought out opportunities to help older adults in her community. That passion and the 20 years nursing and care management allowed her the expertise to care for her aging mother. This ultimately resulted in Holistic Aging- Options for Elder Care having recognized the need for her expertise to assist families in this healthcare maze.

Our clients were searching for less medicine and invasive procedures as they aged. This need resulted in Bobbi’s searching for complementary practices that would meet her clients needs to age well. She pursues education and international travel opportunities to learn how other nations care for their elderly populations. Bobbi helps the clients at Holistic Aging by offering families clinical expertise, knowledge of complementary medicine allowing for customizing the needs to each individual.

With over 35 years of experience in the care management industry, Bobbi is viewed by her peers as a seasoned expert in the management of care with the aging and disabled population. She has presented at numerous national conferences. including the Alzheimer’s Association, Aging Life Care Professionals, and American Holistic Nursing Association. Holistic Aging – Options for Elder Care, has been assisting the elder and disabled population in Pittsburgh PA and surrounds to age well since 2002.

Bobbi and her husband of 35 years have lived in Pittsburgh their entire life. They raised 3 children and are 32 year residents of Hampton Township, where our office is located.

Kristi Pickens, RN BSN CCM

Clinical Supervisor and Life Care Manager

Kristi is both our Clinical Supervisor and one of our Life Care Managers. Her clinical, home care, hospice and insurance experience is ideal for her role at Holistic Aging.

Kristi is both our Clinical Supervisor and one of our Life Care Managers. Her clinical, home care, hospice and insurance experience is ideal for her role at Holistic Aging. After graduating with her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Indiana University of PA, she spent the first decade of her career at Allegheny General Hospital. There she worked with the open heart, pulmonary and vascular surgery unit. She also spent a time as a traveling nurse which included working in NYC at NYU Langone Medical center in a neurology unit. Kristi successfully obtained a Certification in Case Management (CCM) in August of 2020, further acknowledging her expertise the field of care management. Click HERE to learn more!

Once she married and started a family Kristi pursued a few non-direct patient care areas of nursing such as insurance authorizations, assuring appropriate level of care for insurance authorization, and hospital based discharge planning. Ultimately recognizing her passion for hands on she returned to direct patient care working as a hospice nurse case manager. Kristi uses her years of varied experiences to educate our clientele about care management options, manage their health challenges, and advocate for the best possible quality of life. In her free time Kristi enjoys reading, listening to podcasts along with biking and cooking with her husband. She daydreams of traveling more and having grandchildren someday.

Chrissy Kramer, RN

Life Care Manager

Chrissy has been a registered nurse for 20 years. Her background includes extensive clinical experience in Critical Care, Cardiac nursing, Medical Surgical nursing, and home health care.

With a husband in the military, she has had the opportunity to travel and work in numerous hospitals. These include the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals in Cleveland Ohio, Seton Hospital in Austin, TX, Edward McCready Memorial Hospital in Crisfield, MD, Allegheny General Hospital, and UPMC in Pittsburgh PA. Chrissy is a compassionate advocate for every client and their families all while ensuring excellent and knowledgeable nursing care and care management.

Outside work Chrissy enjoys spending time with her husband and 3 daughters, going to the beach at Canadohta Lake, character dancing at the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, live music, yoga and cooking.

Jennifer Ilconich, BS MA CCC-SLP

Life Care Manager/Senior Care Consultant Manager

Jennifer has been a licensed Speech Language Pathologist since 2002. She received her Bachelor’s in Hearing and Speech Sciences from Ohio University in 2000 and her Masters from the University of Toledo in 2002.

As a speech-language pathologist, she can assist with dementia staging through education on current and potential future functioning. She can help older adults with the development and implementation of compensatory strategies to assist them and their caregivers to maximizing independence and quality of life.

Jennifer has had the opportunity to work with adults in a variety of clinical settings including acute care, long term acute care, inpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, outpatient, and home health. Working with clients who struggle with cognitive and language impairments is her passion. She enjoys being part of an interdisciplinary team to provide a well-rounded and individualized approach to care. Jen strives to be compassionate as well as knowledgeable to provide the highest level of care possible.

She has been married to her husband Jeff since 2005 and they have three beautiful and fun children. As a family they enjoy traveling and have made it a goal to visit all 50 states. They are well on their way! Jen also enjoys reading and swimming but free time is at a premium in this busy family.

Joel Carroll, CNA

Senior Care Consultant

Joel is a licensed CNA with a diverse background. He has worked as a caregiver for nearly six years.

He got his start while living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Prior to this second career, Joel worked as an Engineer.

Raised in Kutztown, Pennsylvania by artist parents on a small farm Joel grew up caring for horses, ducks, rabbits, cats and dogs, gerbils, guppies and a pet raccoon.

Joel spends his free time with his wonderfully humorous girlfriend, chatting with his creative artist/preacher son, in spiritual discussions with friends, and studying natural healing. He graduated as a Massage Therapist from The Pittsburgh School of Massage therapy in December of 2019

Michelle Wimer

Senior Care Consultant

Michelle came to the realization that her life's purpose was that of a caretaker nearly two decades ago while working for Butler County's victim service agency.

It was through that lead her to that lead her to coaching individuals in anger management and life coaching services. As Michelle searched for more ways to be of service, she obtained a position at a retirement community in the Memory Care Unit as an Activities Assistant. Working with seniors and those in need of memory care brought her a new sense of accomplishment and joy. Michelle is now utilizing her compassionate approach with the clients of Holistic Aging

When not working Michelle designs/concocts meditative Malas from precious stones, jewelry, all natural balms and lotions with essential oils. She enjoys studying the after-life and meditating with her Border Collie Madigan.

Megan Lunz, BS

Senior Care Consultant

Megan has a Bachelors in Psychology and pursued medical oncology research. She has interacted with a variety of individuals.

She experiences a sense of joy and fulfillment when working directly with people, enjoying the simple and small interactions with clients. As her career has progressed over the years, she found that her favorite aspects of her job is working with people.

She loves to stay busy with working out, reading, socializing, hiking and exploring new parts of town. She is very energetic and curious person so she can always be found trying something new.

Margie Prince, RT

Senior Care Consultant

Margie is a 1978 graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a Liberal Arts and Sciences Associates degree, with concurrent completion of the Radiologic Technology Program at The Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Radiologic Technology.

For 40 years she has practiced the science, art and skills of working with all age groups to produce diagnostic imaging for St. Clair Hospital in the South Hills. Since 1991, she was also instrumental in the clinical training of students from the newly created Rad Tech program at the Community College of Allegheny County, Boyce Campus. As she retired from her clinical job, she has been teaching as adjunct faculty in the program.

Nearing the end of her clinical years, she was involved in the care of several close family members who chose hospice as their wish for end of life care. Encountering many elderly patients at the hospital as well, she saw the needs of this generation who are often isolated, and yet are determined to stay as independent as possible.

Margie is married to her husband David of 39 years, with 2 daughters, one son and one grandson. Since her grandson is in South Carolina, they travel there often. Her hobbies include sewing, reading, walking and keeping up with 3 very large families; his, mine and ours!

Cassandra Brown

Senior Care Consultant

Cassie is pursuing an undergraduate degree in neuroscience at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania. She has always had a passion for human neurological health and is especially excited to work with the clients of Holistic Aging.

Cassie can always be found providing a safe, comfortable, and engaging cognitive stimulating environment with the older adults she is working with. Her passion is to understand each person’s unique needs and capitalize on her educational background to create the best environment for the older adult. Outside of work you can find her participating in diverse outdoor activities from hiking to extreme kayaking. She is a great conversationalist and finds joy in helping in any way she can. Her long-term goals are to explore the world while doing research that has an impact on community.

Holistic Aging - About Us

Barbara Kolonay RN BSN MS CCM

President

Kristi Pickens, RN BSN​ CCM

Clinical Supervisor and Life Care Manager

Chrissy Kramer, RN

Life Care Manager

Jennifer Ilconich, BS MA CCC-SLP

Life Care Manager/Senior Care Consultant Manager

Joel Carroll, CNA

Senior Care Consultant

Michelle Wimer

Senior Care Consultant

Megan Lunz, BS

Senior Care Consultant

Margie Prince, RT

Senior Care Consultant

Cassandra Brown

Senior Care Consultant

Kristi Pickens, RN BSN CCM