What makes PALM Aging Life Management unique is the diversity of training among our staff. You will have one care manager assigned to you for 24/7 support. But we work as a team. Your care manager may be a nurse, but can draw upon the expertise of our social worker, our occupational therapist, our CORE-trained assisted living specialist… You get the idea. This makes our support holistic so you receive a multifaceted approach to care.
In addition, we are truly committed to client-centered care. This means we get to know the client deeply, what’s important to them, what their goals are as they age. All of our recommendations revolve around this understanding.
Dorene graduated from Cazenovia College in New York, then went on to complete her Nursing degree at Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital School of Nursing. She has worked in the long term care setting for 27 years serving as Director of Nursing, Senior Clinical Risk Manager and as a Regional Nurse.
Dorene is a Certified Care Manager and Certified Dementia Specialist, and has been published in the Florida Health Care Association Pulse. She has also served as a presenter at their annual conference.
Dorene and her husband live in St. Augustine. She enjoys spending time with her seven grandchildren, her dog Jack Frost, baking, and reading.
Cindy Flowers and Norma Berger, the two founding members of PALM Aging, began their professional relationship in 2004 while working with the aging population. They became close colleagues, and in 2012, finally seized the opportunity to work together. Over the next five years, they developed their careers in Aging Life Care® Management, with Cindy serving as Norma’s mentor. They both share a deep love and respect for older adults, and a mission to honor independence and choices. It’s with this in mind that they opened PALM Aging Life Management in 2017. We have been advocating faithfully for our clients ever since.
Cindy Flowers, MS, BCPA, CMC: Cindy received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and her Masters in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She has worked for more than 30 years in the healthcare field, serving in leadership roles in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities and in home health care. She is a certified Geriatric Care Manager and certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
Cindy’s vast knowledge and skills working with older adults allows her to professionally and uniquely serve the needs of seniors and their families. Cindy currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Florida Aging Life Care® Association.
In her free time, you can find Cindy on the water: boating, fishing or kayaking. She was a collegiate golfer so you may also find her on the golf course still trying to catch those birdies.
Norma Berger, CMC: Norma received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and her Graduate Certificate in Geriatric Care Management from the University of Florida. She has worked with the aging population in Gainesville, Florida for fifteen years. She is a certified Aging Life Care Manager with extensive knowledge of our community and available services, allowing her to professionally coordinate care to meet the needs of seniors and their family members. She is an advanced professional member of the Aging Life Care Association, and also serves as a facilitator for a local support group for caregivers of people with dementia, sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association.
In her spare time, Norma enjoys performing in local theater productions, singing in Voices Rising Community Chorus, and cooking for friends and family.
During a summer stay in Pennsylvania when Samantha was young, she had the opportunity to assist her great-grandfather who had suffered a stroke. She witnessed first hand the challenges and emotional strain placed on her family, igniting her passion to help the older generation. Samantha earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Sociology from Valdosta State University. She was born and raised in Georgia, but brought her southern charm to Gainesville, FL in 2008. She has worked in multiple capacities within governmental and home health agencies since 2002.
Samantha loves spending time with her husband and three children and jumps at the opportunity to relax at the beach.
Prachi Rathi graduated from Nagpur University in India in 1994 with Bachelors in Occupational Therapy. In 2009, she earned a Masters in Health Administration from the University of North Florida (UNF). She also holds a CAPS credential (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist).
Prachi has worked in a variety of settings, from hospital ICUs to sub-acute facilities, rehab, skilled nursing facilities, and home health agencies. She has served as adjunct faculty and a clinical instructor of occupational therapy and health administration. In addition, she is on the Advisory Committee of several universities. Prachi started Prism Health Services, LLC., which is a consultative & educational showroom to help patients, families and caregivers find the best possible assistive devices for their loved ones. She has also developed software to assist with documentation of patient progress, tele-wellness, and home safety assessment.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking and volunteering for numerous organizations including a local homeless shelter, the Alzheimer’s Association, and her temple.
Judy Clarke received a Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Oneonta in Fashion Design. She continued her studies at the Fashion Institute of New York and then worked in the fashion industry until starting her family and staying at home. During this time her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and remained at home with Judy caring for her until she passed.
In 2008, Judy moved from upstate New York to Palm Coast, Florida. She began working with older adults as a Certified Nurse Assistant. This inspired her to pursue an Associate Degree from Daytona State to become an Occupational Therapy Assistant. She worked for 10 years as a board certified Occupational Therapy Assistant in skilled nursing rehabilitation centers.
In 2022, Judy joined PALM Aging Life Management as a care manager, weaving together her personal experience as a family caregiver with her occupational therapy knowledge.
Judy lives in St. Augustine where she enjoys sewing, baking and spending time with her granddaughter, Emily.
Thalia received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Florida and her Masters in Health Administration from Louisiana State University Shreveport. Her passion for helping the aging population began after her father’s first fall. Not understanding her options, she spent countless hours researching on how to get the best care possible for her father. This propelled her into healthcare, wanting not only to help her father but also those facing the same stress and confusion her family experienced.
Thalia started her healthcare career working for hospice where she spent her time in hospitals, acute care hospitals, physicians’ offices, assisted livings, and skilled nursing facilities. Her career progressed to home health and assisted living. She has combined both her professional and personal experiences to write a book to help people navigate our complex healthcare system.
Rachel received her ASN and BSN from Santa Fe College in Gainesville Florida and is currently enrolled in the MSN program at Walden University. Home Health Care was Rachel’s specialty for more than seventeen years, where she progressively held the field and administrative positions of Case Manager, Clinical Manager, Associate Director of Clinical Practice and most recently, Associate Director of Quality. Rachel has also served as Nursing Supervisor for an Alzheimer’s daycare program and she volunteers at a local senior center.
Rachel’s personal interests include attending her granddaughter’s soccer games and teaching her to cook, reading old fashioned paper books, crochet projects, and being a pet parent to one bossy little Yorkie!
Gyme Guthe received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She then spent 15 years working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Gyme went on to work in a nursing home in Minnesota as the Staff Development and Safety Director. After that she began working in assisted living and memory care for the last 20 years. She is CORE certified in the state of Florida. Gyme is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Gyme is new to Florida. She and her husband live in Daytona Beach and enjoy walking on the beach and having family and friends visit. She looks forward to finding new and fun things to do in Florida.
I had the privilege of working with Dorene and Kate from Palm Aging and Life Management, and I can’t praise them enough. They were absolutely phenomenal in facilitating a transfer from a rehab facility to home health care, a process that would have been near impossible without their expertise.They efficiently secured all the necessary care providers and equipment, making the transition smooth and stress-free. Palm Aging and Life Management offers solutions for a wide range of situations, and their team’s healthcare expertise ensured that every detail was managed with precision.Thanks to their support, I was able to focus on being a friend and family member rather than becoming an actual caregiver. Their assistance made the final weeks with my loved one significantly better. I highly recommend their services for anyone in need of professional and compassionate care management.
Gyme and the entire PALM Aging team are incredible resources for the community. Gyme's dedication is evident, making her a valuable partner in client management. We appreciate her commitment and the entire PALM Aging team's efforts.
Angela has been a lifesaver, literally!! She works so well with my elderly father, and he can’t wait for the days that she comes to see him. She does a wonderful job teaching and reinforcing life skills, and has become a true companion and friend for Dad. Loving, honest, caring, professional….
Palm Aging are amazing. I live outside the US and my Dad lives in Florida. Up until his fall in Nov 2020, Dad was fiercely independent - helped out locals with general garden / house sitting jobs, drove his truck to visit his US family and flew to see me. After Dad was released from Rehab, Palm Aging were recommended. A skype meeting was set up and I was struck by the calm friendliness. I - and Dad - felt comfortable that Dorene (who is Dads main carer) and Cindy and the team would work with Dad to keep him as independent as possible and advise him - and me - of therapies and equipment to help him. Dad doesn't accept help well, and became depressed. To support Dad emotionally, we had a talk about how he was not very social, but would always talk a bit to folks he saw when he was helping out. A local VA group - Dads retired Air Force - was recommended as a was to socialise in a way he was comfortable. When Dad had another fall - Palm Aging are the 1st point of contact - and messaged with me, keeping me up to date. Medical terms were explained, questions answered and advice given in a kind manner.2 years on, Dad is still in his own home. A few more medical issues, including early dementia, and I know that if it wasn't for the Palm aging team, he would have been forced into Assisted living after his falls. As he cannot drive anymore, one of the team will come and walk around the block with him, help clean up the house a little. Other days, he will be taken to medical appointments. On these days, Dorene, with her extensive knowledge of medical elderly care, will accompany him as Dad doesn't understand medical talk. Through out the last few years, I have been able to contact with any questions and concerns. The Palm Aging team extend care to the families of the elderly person - when I was able to come and see my Dad after Covid, they arranged to collect me from the airport.Sadly Dads dementia has progressed that assisted living has to be considered. Palm were able to advise and organise viewings with places that would be most suited to Dad.Bottom line - a wonderful team of people who work professionally, with empathy and consideration, to help their clients.
Dorene is the owner of PALM Aging Life Management, along with her two daughters: Jennifer Akin, an 
Cindy Flowers, MS, BCPA, CMC: Cindy received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina, Wilmington, and her Masters in Therapeutic Recreation from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She has worked for more than 30 years in the healthcare field, serving in leadership roles in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities and in home health care. She is a certified Geriatric Care Manager and certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.
Norma Berger, CMC: Norma received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and her Graduate Certificate in Geriatric Care Management from the University of Florida. She has worked with the aging population in Gainesville, Florida for fifteen years. She is a certified Aging Life Care Manager with extensive knowledge of our community and available services, allowing her to professionally coordinate care to meet the needs of seniors and their family members. She is an advanced professional member of the Aging Life Care Association, and also serves as a facilitator for a local support group for caregivers of people with dementia, sponsored by the Alzheimer’s Association.
During a summer stay in Pennsylvania when Samantha was young, she had the opportunity to assist her great-grandfather who had suffered a stroke. She witnessed first hand the challenges and emotional strain placed on her family, igniting her passion to help the older generation. Samantha earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Sociology from Valdosta State University. She was born and raised in Georgia, but brought her southern charm to Gainesville, FL in 2008. She has worked in multiple capacities within governmental and home health agencies since 2002.
Prachi Rathi graduated from Nagpur University in India in 1994 with Bachelors in Occupational Therapy. In 2009, she earned a Masters in Health Administration from the University of North Florida (UNF). She also holds a CAPS credential (Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist).
Judy Clarke received a Bachelor’s Degree from SUNY Oneonta in Fashion Design. She continued her studies at the Fashion Institute of New York and then worked in the fashion industry until starting her family and staying at home. During this time her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and remained at home with Judy caring for her until she passed.
Rachel received her ASN and BSN from Santa Fe College in Gainesville Florida and is currently enrolled in the MSN program at Walden University. Home Health Care was Rachel’s specialty for more than seventeen years, where she progressively held the field and administrative positions of Case Manager, Clinical Manager, Associate Director of Clinical Practice and most recently, Associate Director of Quality. Rachel has also served as Nursing Supervisor for an Alzheimer’s daycare program and she volunteers at a local senior center.
Gyme Guthe received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education from St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minnesota. She then spent 15 years working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Gyme went on to work in a nursing home in Minnesota as the Staff Development and Safety Director. After that she began working in assisted living and memory care for the last 20 years. She is CORE certified in the state of Florida. Gyme is also a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
