WELCOME TO RIVERSIDE CARE

Your trusted partner in the journey of aging.

We understand that the path of aging can be intricate and challenging, both for older and disabled adults and their devoted families. That's why we're here to offer our expert guidance and unwavering support.

We are a nationally certified care management company serving clients in the Merrimack Valley, the North Shore of Boston, South of Manchester, NH and the New Hampshire Seacoast.

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Our Mission

We specialize in simplifying elder care and disability services. Our highly-credentialed experts offer top-tier advocacy, providing invaluable insights and recommendations to guide your family's well-being. We understand your challenges and are dedicated to being your trusted partners in securing the care your loved ones deserve.

We know the neighborhood. We know the medical professionals, the assisted living facilities, the hospitals and the home care agencies available where we live and work. Our approachable care managers understand each family's unique needs based on their situation and respond to those needs with compassion and urgency. We use our individual and collective strengths as a team of multi-disciplinary professionals to provide the most effective and highest quality care.

Meet Jennifer

Learn More about Riverside Care Advisors!

What We Do

Do you live far away or have a busy schedule, making it challenging to manage your loved ones' well-being at home? Are you concerned about their health, especially if they've been diagnosed with dementia or a chronic illness?
Riverside Care Advisors conducts comprehensive assessments and offers practical solutions. We provide ongoing support, including physician appointment accompaniments, tailored to your needs.
Count on us to be your loved one's advocate and your professional coach.
Are you facing a challenging situation with unanswered questions? Feeling the pressure to make decisions but unsure of your options?
Come to us with your concerns, and our experienced professionals will provide you with clear, personalized recommendations. We bring years of experience to the table, considering the bigger picture, and we never accept commissions for referrals or placements.
Are you aging independently without a trusted support system in case of emergencies? Do you cherish your independence and want to ensure your choices are honored as you grow older?
At Riverside, we recognize the specific needs of those aging without a reliable support network. We'll help you create a long-term plan, ensuring you have an advocate who understands your wishes if the need arises.
Our specialized one-hour consultation with our experienced Plant-Based Medicine Nurse, dedicated to enhancing the health and wellness of older adults.
What We Offer:
In-depth caregiver/family consultation
Plant-Based Medicine Education
Shopping guidance for approved products
Who Will Benefit?
Caregivers or family members looking for holistic health options for their aging loved ones
Older adults looking for holistic alternatives

**- Plant-based = hemp derived products
Concerned that your loved one is feeling isolated and/or depressed?
Are you worried about their quality of life and would like to see them more active, but haven’t found a program they are willing or able to attend in the community?
Are they longing for more opportunities to engage with previous hobbies, participate in community activities, and have meaningful and stimulating conversations and have not found a program that can cater to their individual needs?
Are you a caregiver who requires some time away to tend to your own medical or social needs for a few hours per week?
Care Recommendations
At Riverside Care Advisors, we provide level-of-care recommendations. With our firsthand experience, we guide families in understanding the appropriateness of each level of care, helping them navigate the choices and their associated limitations.
Assistance with Guardianship
We offer assistance in guardianship cases, providing expert assessments, recommendations, and medical/social oversight for legal guardians, including accompaniment.
Dementia Support
Our dementia support encompasses education, expectation setting, and future planning. We provide guidance on best practices and effective approaches for interacting with and relating to individuals with dementia.
Support and Advocacy
We offer support and advocacy for clients dealing with aging or mental health challenges. With expertise in the system, we advocate on behalf of those who need it. Whether it's dementia or mental health, having a medical professional to decode recommendations and ensure follow-through is crucial. We provide detailed assessments and make appropriate recommendations.
Crisis Intervention
We offer crisis intervention services when a loved one can't safely stay at home due to care needs or refusal of care. We also assist during hospitalization crises, providing answers and helping with discharge decisions. Our support extends to situations where clients face eviction from assisted living or nursing facilities, including those related to end-stage dementia behaviors.
Long-Term Care Insurance Assistance
We provide long-term care insurance evaluation and support. Activating a policy when you qualify can be bewildering and time-consuming, particularly for older individuals. If you're unsure how to initiate your policy or ascertain the required documentation, we can assist you.
Future Planning
We offer education on essential information and decision-making timing, along with personalized recommendations. If you or a loved one is diagnosed with a chronic illness, we can help you prepare and make informed choices when the time comes.

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Brenda B, Wife

“Riverside Care Advisors is an excellent service provider. Jennifer was the most caring and compassionate in dealing with the multiple situations that were happening as my husband’s Alzheimer’s situation was declining. She not only helped in filling out multiple forms, but answered all my calls to me promptly, and advised me whenever I needed other assistance. She even drove us to the hospital after my husband’s fall into the bathtub. Rhiannon was also exceptional and helped with filling pills and checking on my husband. Jennifer helped during our transition to Assisted Living. She spoke quite often with our children and kept them up to date.”
Doris R, Daughter

“I hired Riverside Advisors because I was having difficulty navigating the medical system for my elderly parents during the height of COVID-19. Hiring and working with Jennifer and Rhiannon has been a lifesaver. They immediately got to work connecting us to the right practitioners, helped us make better decisions about medical care and strategies, and quickly gained the trust of my parents which was no easy feat. The Riverside Care Advisors team is very respected in the field and watching them in action, I see why. My family and I are very lucky to have her on our care team.”
Life Enrichment Stories!

Christel-
I really enjoy reading the updates of your visits with Paul. You really do have a way with him. Somehow you manage to engage him in some things he doesn't seem the least bit interested in when we're there. Thank you!
"Riverside Care Advisors took good care of my affairs this past year as my husband became progressively more incapacitated and finally died in July.

They took care of the paperwork involved with insurance companies and other financial situations. They were especially good at solving complicated problems that I couldn’t cope with nor did I want to. Rhiannon Stare handled most of the personal details to do with my husband going to a rehab and then to assisted living quarters in a memory unit. I was always consulted, and she took prompt action in all dealings. If there was a rating of one to five stars, this company would get 5 stars!”
Patricia, Wife
"Due to my living more than 1500 miles away, Jennifer was able to step in and act as an advocate for my father, attending his doctor appointments, assisting him in finding new specialists, and in general just being my local “eyes and ears” when she checked in on him each week.

I had the good fortune to be able to engage Jennifer in January 2017 on behalf of my elderly father who was still recovering from a fall, in which he had fractured his pelvis, and a month earlier had lost his wife of more than 50 years. Following each doctor appointment, Jennifer provided a detailed report back to me of what happened and what further action items existed. Having Jennifer provided my wife and I comfort that were my father to have another accident, we would have a resource whom we could immediately contact and who could assist my father until we could be there in person. Based on the relationship she had with my father, I could absolutely recommend Jennifer to anyone who has elderly parent(s), and even more so if they, the adult children, live some distance away.”
David B., Son
“My mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and despite being a social worker myself, I knew my family and I would need additional assistance.

Jennifer is a pleasure to work with. Not only is she always professional, but she exudes empathy and has a wonderful way with her clients. She helped us navigate the challenging system and provided us with wonderful tools and support during a very stressful time.”
Amanda F., Daughter
“Jennifer Pilz has been a key support, interpreter, counselor, and friend for several years. My beloved father liked Jennifer immediately, and our entire family has come to treasure her broad knowledge and deep understanding of the challenges facing elderly family members.

Jennifer and her associate Rhiannon worked diligently and effectively to alert us to upcoming issues, as well as deal with existing symptoms. Having kind, responsible people (not a big or faceless company) to help us provide the best care for a gentle and deserving man was essential to the well-being of my father and his loving family. We thank Riverside Care Advisors from the bottom of our hearts. ”
Sally G., Grateful Daughter
“Helen had a very strong rope team with Riverside Care Advisors. We are immensely grateful for Rhiannon and Rachel.

Rhiannon’s compassionate and skilled assistance during the difficult and complicated journey of moving Helen from our home to the Life Care Center was invaluable. And her foresight to get Helen into hospice during the early part of the pandemic absolutely made all the difference in terms of Helen’s day-to-day care. And of course, we have also really enjoyed working with Rachel more recently.
We are at peace because we know Helen received loving care.”
Cynthia M., Daughter-in-Law
Debbie K, Client

“I have been working with Rhiannon for the past two years and would be lost without her.
She is very understanding and caring. She is helpful in so many ways. I can’t say how much I appreciate the services of Riverside advisors. They are always available.
With much gratitude”

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Meet the Team

Rhiannon Stare, RN, CMC, CDP

OWNER and AGING LIFE CARE MANAGER
Rhiannon boasts an extensive professional background spanning over two decades within the healthcare industry. Her experience encompasses a diverse range of nursing environments, including acute rehabilitation hospitals and community-based settings. In these roles, she has honed her expertise in providing care to seniors and individuals facing mental health challenges. Her clients greatly appreciate her capacity to establish robust, trusting relationships and wholeheartedly champion their best interests.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Rhiannon is dedicated to raising and nurturing her two energetic children. To maintain a harmonious work-life balance, she finds solace in outdoor pursuits such as dog walks and yoga, ensuring her well-being and equilibrium.
Qualifications
Business Degree, Michigan State University
Registered Nurse, Lawrence Memorial/Regis College
Certified Dementia Practitioner
Certified Plant Based Therapeutics Nurse
Aging Life Care®Advanced Professional
Jennifer Pilz, MPT, CMC

FOUNDER OF RIVERSIDE CARE ADVISORS and Aging Life Care Manager
Jennifer has dedicated nearly 25 years to serving families and their aging loved ones. In her role as a care manager, she not only acts as a steadfast advocate for her clients but also as a knowledgeable guide for family members navigating critical decisions. Jennifer's approach is marked by an exceptional passion, unwavering dedication, and a nuanced perspective that positions her agency as a comprehensive solution for families seeking the best care for their seniors.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Jennifer finds fulfillment in guiding her four children toward becoming compassionate, responsible individuals. She maintains a healthy work-life balance by enjoying runs along the ocean and staying physically active.
Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Physical Therapy, Simmons College
Graduate Certificate in Geriatric Care Management, University of Florida
Aging Life Care®Advanced Professional member since 2012.
Current President of the Aging Life Care Association, New England Chapter.
Certified Care Manager through the National Academy of Certified Care Managers since 2014
Rachel Zalvan, LICSW, MPH

LEAD AGING LIFE CARE MANAGER
Rachel boasts over two decades of extensive experience dedicated to supporting the elderly and their caregivers. Her professional journey has taken her through a diverse array of settings, including senior housing, medical home care, senior centers, and senior advocacy groups. Rachel's passion lies in forging meaningful connections with her clients and crafting meticulously tailored care plans to enhance their quality of life while preserving their independence.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Rachel is a devoted parent to three spirited teenagers and a beloved fur companion. Her personal rejuvenation often involves beach days.
Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Social Work, Boston University
Master’s Degree in Public Health, Boston University
Licensed Independent Social Worker since 2001
Aging Life Care® Advanced Professional Member
Kristen Arcand, OTR/L
AGING LIFE CARE MANAGER
Kristen has been supporting adults and seniors since 2000 as an Occupational Therapist within a variety of therapeutic settings including Subacute Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing Facilities. After taking some time away from rehabilitation to care of her children, she returned to healthcare services to utilize her skills and experiences to support young people with disabilities. Kristen’s passion to improve the quality of life for others remains and drives her therapeutic focus. In her spare time, Kristen can be seen and heard on local sports fields and within gymnasiums supporting her three active children. She is an avid runner and enjoys spending time outdoors enjoying all the benefits that living in New England has to offer.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Occupational Therapy, University of New England
- Massachusetts Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Member of the American Occupational Therapy Association
- Aging Life Care® Associate Member
Christel Charlesworth, LICSW, CDP, CMDCP

LIFE ENRICHMENT SPECIALIST / CARE MANAGER ASSOCIATE
Since graduating from Simmons College School of Social Work in 2006, Christel has worked in various medical settings including community health, home health and hospice as well as serving those with complex behavioral health needs in the community and supporting people as an online therapist during the pandemic. The desire to focus her work with the aging population and their families comes from her passion for wanting to help ease some of the burden of those faced with challenging life situations and providing a supportive presence.
In her spare time, Christel enjoys anything that gets her outdoors to enjoy this beautiful Earth. She is an avid hiker and spends time in the White Mountains of NH whenever she can. She also enjoys skiing, camping, traveling as well as tending to her houseplant collection and outdoor gardens. She has one fur baby named Buddy.
Qualifications
Masters Degree in Social Work- Simmons College
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW) in Massachusetts
Shelley Silverman, BS RNC CDP HN-BC NHA
LIFE ENRICHMENT SPECIALIST / CARE MANAGER
Shelley has dedicated her career to Geriatric Nursing and Administration in a range of holistic settings for elders. Her experience includes Subacute Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing, multilevel life campus for Deaf and Deafblind seniors with independent living, rest home, and traditional care. She has also worked in memory care assisted living and with Deaf Senior Centers in conjunction with Area Agencies on Aging (AAA).
In her spare time, Shelley enjoys family time, walking the trails and parks, visiting museums, and exploring local restaurants.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Education (Therapeutic Recreation), Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Northeastern University
- RN program, Northern Essex Community College
- Certified Dementia Practitioner
- Aging Life Care® Associate Member
Karen Nolette

LIFE ENRICHMENT SPECIALIST
Karen has extensive experience in working with aging adults in many different settings in her professional career with the goal of enriching people’s lives by providing meaningful activities into their everyday routines. She is passionate about fitness and nutrition as she is a certified ACSM personal trainer and incorporates this mindset into everything she does with endless energy and enthusiasm.
When she is not working, she is a mom to three adult sons. She loves to spend time with family and friends while biking, hiking, reading, and singing.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Assumption College, Worcester, MA
ACSM Certification in Personal Training, American College of Sports Medicine, Indianapolis, IN
Patty Hoffman, OTR/L
CLIENT SERVICES MANAGER
Patty has worked as an Occupational Therapist in many healthcare settings and patient populations since moving to Massachusetts twenty-five years ago. Later in her career, she decided to pursue more non-clinical endeavors and has enjoyed supporting professionals behind the scenes so they can perform their best in advocating for their clients. She is very passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and viewing life with a positive mindset.
In her spare time, she lives a very active life with her husband and three children. Her favorite place to go is the library searching for new non-fiction or the latest cooking magazine or cookbook. You most likely will find Patty hiking in Maudslay State Park or Mosley Woods with her favorite canine companion, Calvin.
Qualifications
- Bachelors of Science in Occupational Therapy, Quinnipiac University
- Massachusetts Registered and Licensed Occupational Therapist
- Member of American Occupational Therapy Association