Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara McAda.
Hi Sara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was first introduced to senior care in 2011 when I completed a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program through my high school’s career center. That experience sparked a deep appreciation for the compassion and dedication required to serve older adults, and it ultimately shaped my career path.
After graduating from college, I began my professional journey in senior living in 2016 as an Administrative Assistant at a newly developed assisted living and memory care community. Because the building was still under construction, I had the unique opportunity to be involved in everything from licensing and staff onboarding to helping welcome our very first residents. That early hands-on experience gave me a strong foundation in both operations and resident care.
I later joined a memory-care-focused community as a Program & Outreach Director, where I received specialized training in Alzheimer’s care and led engagement programs designed to enhance residents’ quality of life. As I grew within the organization, I was promoted to Associate Executive Director, taking on responsibilities in financial management, human resources, and family support—often helping families navigate complex and sensitive situations.
After earning my MBA in Healthcare Administration and obtaining my administrator’s license, I stepped into the role of Executive Director just as the COVID-19 pandemic began. Leading a community through that time was both challenging and meaningful, requiring resilience, adaptability, and a deep commitment to residents and staff. I remained closely involved in care coordination, working alongside healthcare providers and families to ensure each resident’s needs were met with dignity and compassion.
Following the birth of my daughter, I took time away from the field to focus on my family. However, my passion for senior care has never left me. I’m now returning with renewed purpose, bringing together my clinical foundation, leadership experience, and heartfelt commitment to serve as an Aging Life Care Professional and support older adults and their families in navigating the aging journey. That is how Next Chapter Navigator was born.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It has been challenging and rewarding all in the same. I left a steady paycheck to build something brick by brick. I left a team (marketer, accountant, staff, etc) to become a 1 woman show and now I get to wear all of those hats. I’ve learned to pivot daily. The need for this work is certainly great, however, people don’t know that hiring an Aging Life Care Professional exists.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Next Chapter Navigator is a proud Aging Life Care Organization. Aging Life Care management is a holistic, client-centered approach to planning with and caring for aging adults, dependent adults, or others facing ongoing health or disability challenges. As experts in aging well®, Aging Life Care Managers® help older adults navigate the challenges of aging and make positive, informed decisions and plans. Their guidance leads people to the actions and decisions that ensure quality care and an optimal life for themselves or those they love, thus reducing worry, stress, and time off of work for family caregivers through:
Assessment and monitoring
Planning and problem-solving
Education and advocacy
Family caregiver coaching
Owning a business is new to me, however, caring for people is something I am well versed in. Bringing years of experience in senior living, I am a licensed South Carolina assisted living administrator, and Certified Dementia Practitioner. I also teach part-time at Lander University, where I instruct professional development and long-term care management courses. I’m actively involved in the Upstate community through organizations including the Junior League of Greenville, Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Alzheimer’s Association, Meals on Wheels of Greenville, Greenville Rotary Club, and Travelers Rest United Methodist Church.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
1. Demand is going to explode. The global 60+ population is expected to double by 2050. There’s already a shortage of qualified professionals in care management and geriatric services
2) Aging in place will dominate everything. The center of gravity is moving away from facilities to home.
Seniors overwhelmingly prefer to stay in their homes. Home-based care is expanding (telehealth, in-home services, mobile diagnostics). It’s cheaper, safer, and more scalable than institutional care.
3) Tech will augment—not replace—the role of Care Managers. A lot of people assume tech will displace care managers. The reality is the opposite. Key shifts being Remote monitoring (falls, vitals, behavior), Smart homes + AI assistants, Telehealth + digital records, Real-time care coordination systems
But Older adults still need human interpretation, advocacy, and trust
Tech creates more data, which increases the need for someone to synthesize and act. So my role includes, Translator of tech to human decisions, Risk detector (using data streams), Real-time responder
4) The role becomes more continuous (not episodic) Care management is shifting from:
“solve a crisis” → “manage a long-term journey”
5) Family structure changes = more reliance on professionals This is a quiet but massive driver.
Fewer adult children available to help, More “solo agers” (no spouse/kids), Families geographically dispersed
Aging Life Care professionals become: surrogate family coordinators, decision facilitators, advocates in crises
Pricing:
- $350 Single Person Assessment
- $450 Couple Assessment
- $125 Ongoing Care Management
- $600 Single Person SafeGuard
- $750 Couple SafeGuard
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nextchapternavigatorsc.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nextchapternavigatorsc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584812264790
