Ann began working with AgeBetter, Inc., as a consultant in early 2004, when Sharing Active Independent Lives (SAIL) was being launched as a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community demonstration project. Several years prior, she was an assisted living administrator at Oakwood Village. This experience, along with a master’s degree in rehabilitation psychology from UW-Madison, helped immensely in the formation and success of SAIL. She has shaped the program into a unique and sustainable community resource for older adults that also takes a leadership role in the national “village movement.” In addition to oversight of SAIL, she is spearheading initiatives related to senior affordable housing, training and education for people working with older adults, a locally grown produce and community-based garden program, and more.
In addition to overseeing SAIL, Ann led the development of the Safe at Home Pilot in 2023. Safe at Home offers free home safety assessments to seniors living in Dane County. Assessments are provided by volunteers who are Occupational Therapy college students, retired Occupational Therapists, or other retired health care professionals. The successful pilot helped position AgeBetter to receive funding by Dane County beginning in 2024 to support a part time program coordinator.
Ann is a member of the Madison West Middleton Rotary Club as well as various local professional aging services groups.
Contact Ann at ann@agebettertoday.org.
