About Denise Walter, MSW

I started Linden Eldercare after seeing firsthand how difficult it can be for a family to manage the care of an aging parent.

My grandmother needed more help toward the end of her life, and my mom took on much of the responsibility. She was very capable, but the work was exhausting. Appointments, home care, transportation, and all the other details of keeping someone safe and well can take over. My mom sometimes had to relate to her own mother more like a care professional than a daughter.

I kept thinking about how much more time they could have spent together if someone else had handled those details. Time to relax, tell stories, laugh, and enjoy being with family.

That is what I want to provide through Linden.

Background

I have a Master of Social Work from Salem State University, with a focus on Older Adults and End of Life. I have spent much of my social work career working directly with older adults and their families.

As a home care care manager, I assessed seniors' needs, developed care plans, coordinated home care and transportation, connected families with community resources, and worked with clients to help prevent unnecessary hospitalizations. I have also worked in nursing homes and protective services, where I learned how important it is to listen carefully, ask the right questions, and look beyond what may appear on the surface.

Sometimes a family knows that something has changed but is not quite sure what they are seeing. I have worked with families who believed an older adult was managing independently, only to discover through a closer assessment that more support was needed. My job is not to make assumptions or tell families what they should do. It is to understand the situation, listen to everyone's concerns, and help figure out what makes sense.

My background in software engineering has also shaped how I approach my work. I have become very comfortable taking complicated problems, organizing all the moving pieces, and creating systems that make them easier to manage. That way of thinking is useful when an older adult's care involves several providers, services, appointments, and family members.

My approach

I work with older adults wherever they live, whether that is at home, in assisted living, or somewhere else. I can help families understand their options, assess their current situation, coordinate services, arrange appointments and transportation, and adjust the plan as needs change.

My approach is calm, organized, practical, and nonjudgmental. I listen first. Every family is different, and there is no single right way to navigate aging.

On a personal note

I am fortunate to have a close-knit family of my own. My parents live nearby, and my in-laws spend part of the year with us. I have two young children who bring a lot of joy to my life. I know how valuable family time is, and I want the families I work with to have more of it.

That is the idea behind Linden. A linden tree grows slowly and steadily, providing shade and shelter for decades. Aging can be a major transition too, with unexpected turns along the way. My role is to help families navigate that journey while making sure the older adults I work with are treated with the dignity, respect, and care they deserve.