Oftentimes, senior health and wellness come down to the small shifts, details and to-do’s that add up. A screening you keep meaning to schedule. A medication change after a hospital visit. A family member who wants to help but isn’t sure what to ask.

Health needs can start to feel like a lot of moving pieces, which is why Casa de las Campanas developed a new senior care service to help you connect the dots. Our Health and Wellness Navigation Program™ takes a whole-picture approach, from annual assessments and wellness education to the emotional and social needs that matter just as much day to day. The program is one of many LCS Signature Experiences that create rich, customized opportunities for every resident and employee.

“My goal is to provide mental health awareness, senior care coordination and support to all residents in their journeys,” says Larissa Velazquez, who leads the Health and Wellness Navigation Program alongside Dolly Mireles, a licensed vocational nurse with more than 20 years of healthcare experience who has called Casa home since 1998.

With a counseling background and extensive training in healthy aging, Larissa is here to make care feel more connected, personal and easier to navigate. She’s a mental health counselor and is currently working on a second master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling with an emphasis on trauma-informed care.

Dolly recently stepped into the navigator role, a natural fit for someone so deeply rooted in the community. “This position has allowed me to further support residents through every stage of care and enhance their overall wellness journey,” Dolly says.

A Steadier Way to Navigate Changing Needs

In senior living, the best advocacy is the kind you can actually use, not just read about. Larissa’s work blends psychosocial support, guidance and practical coordination so residents and families have a clear next step when questions arise.

“I’m genuinely proud to join a community that prioritizes whole-person wellness,” Larissa says. “Our residents’ zest for life and adventurous spirit inspire me to support their mental health in meaningful ways, so they feel informed, heard and cared for every day.”

A component of Casa’s Health and Wellness Navigation Program is case management, which often raises the question: What is case management in healthcare? This is a structured, person-centered approach that helps identify needs, connect someone to the right services and follow through over time. At Casa, case management focuses on residents’ well-being across the continuum, including emotional support, resources and planning for changing needs.

Larissa and Dolly help residents and families manage care transitions, whether recovering from a hospital stay or coordinating a move between levels of support within our community. These moments can feel emotional and stressful, so the program also prioritizes grief support, depression resources and trauma-informed guidance for residents who are adjusting.

What Is Care Coordination?

Senior care coordination is the process of organizing your services and support so nothing slips through the cracks. If you or a loved one have ever felt like you were the go-between for providers, paperwork, medications and follow-ups, you already know why care coordination is important.

Casa’s navigator program is a resource you can turn to with real-life questions. It’s a care coordination program senior residents can lean on, with a personal touch and an understanding of how independence and support work together at our Life Plan Community.

What Is an Example of Care Coordination?

From hospital follow-ups to preventive screenings, here are a few ways Larissa and Dolly support residents at Casa.

You return home after a short hospital stay. They support care transitions by coordinating post-acute follow-up, checking that you have accurate discharge paperwork and connecting you with trusted home support if needed.

You haven’t scheduled annual screenings yet. They can map out what’s recommended and why, explain options and help you stay current with preventive care.

A family member has questions about the next steps as their loved one’s needs change. They guide conversations, reduce stress and provide a seamless transition between appropriate levels of care offered at Casa.

You’ve been feeling more anxious or overwhelmed. They offer support and connect you with educational resources and community programs that strengthen emotional well-being. This can include senior care therapy options and other senior care services that fit your needs.

Why is care coordination important? Because it keeps the details from falling through the cracks, giving you one trusted point person and a seamless team approach when needs change.

A Connected Approach to Senior Health and Wellness

Larissa and Dolly’s roles are rooted in relationship-building and communication. They work closely with interdisciplinary teams across campus to ensure you have the right support at the right time, whether you live in independent living, assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing.

This customized coordination matters because wellness isn’t one-size-fits-all. It includes preventive care and planning, yes, but it also includes emotional steadiness, confidence and access to the right resources at the right time. That’s where psychosocial support and navigation can make retirement feel not just easier, but more secure.

To learn more about Casa’s Health and Wellness Navigation Program and how Larissa and Dolly can help you stay steady, supported and informed, contact us or call 858.683.3995.

Featured Image: Drazen Zigic / Shutterstock