Urban Excursions
Owner/Operator/Adventure Specialist (2013-2023)
Community-based program providing weekly social outings and engagement activities for 350+ older adults, including individuals with dementia and cognitive impairments.
This commercial captures Urban Excursions' mission—bringing older adults out into the community for connection, adventure, and meaningful engagement.
Building Community, One Outing at a Time...
Urban Excursions started with a simple observation: my father, facing social isolation as dementia progressed, still wanted to be out in the world. He didn't want to stop living just because driving was no longer safe or cognitive challenges made independence harder. He wanted adventure, connection, community. And he wasn't alone—there were so many older adults who couldn't or didn't want to drive anymore but still wanted to socialize, explore, and stay engaged with their communities.
That's the spark. The belief that there's no reason people should be stuck at home just because they're aging or facing cognitive changes. There's still so much adventure to have, so much life to live. Aging in place doesn't mean aging alone—it means aging in community.
What started with three people in a van grew into something much bigger:
350+ older adults served over 10 years across Oregon and Washington (four counties, two states)
20-25 monthly outings—dining, museums, scenic drives, cultural events, classes, community gatherings
Medicaid Service Provider serving both Medicaid-funded and private-pay clients
Partnership network with AAAs, PACE programs, care communities, and healthcare providers
Many families stayed for years—some participants were with us the entire journey
Urban Excursions proved something I believed from the start: older adults deserve to keep exploring, connecting, and living fully—no matter their age or cognitive ability. My job was just to help make that possible.
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Provided direct care coordination for 350+ older adults over 10 years, including individuals with dementia and cognitive impairments. Conducted comprehensive intake assessments with families to identify needs, preferences, and safety considerations. Coordinated services across multiple stakeholders including case managers, healthcare providers, families, and community partners to ensure seamless care delivery and maintain engagement.
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Served as Medicaid Service Provider working directly with Oregon state agencies and county programs. Managed service authorization, reimbursement processes, documentation accuracy, and regulatory compliance requirements. Maintained detailed client records tracking needs, participation, incidents, and service outcomes. Ensured all operations met state and federal compliance standards.
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Built and maintained extensive network of partnerships with Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), PACE programs, senior centers, care communities, adult day programs, healthcare providers, and nonprofit organizations. Conducted outreach and marketing to recruit participants and expand service reach. Collaborated with case managers and social workers to coordinate wrap-around care and connect families with community resources.
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Hired, trained, and supervised staff of nine employees on dementia-sensitive care, person-centered support, and safety protocols. Developed standard operating procedures (SOPs), training materials, and quality assurance processes. Managed business operations including budgeting, QuickBooks accounting, vendor relationships, and continuous quality improvement initiatives.
Skills & Superpowers!
