A Holistic Approach to Aging
Dedicated to helping seniors, their families and the community.
Woman Owned co-op of caring, educated a compassionate women with years of experience helping better lives of those they touch
MEET OUR TEam
Marla Benton, Founder. Senior Living and Placement Specialist, Advocate, Care Manager 919-923-6015.
With over 25 years of nursing experience, Marla is one of the first placement specialists in the area paving the way for others who followed. She specializes in Family Care Homes as well as Independent and Assisted Living, Memory Care and Skilled Nursing. She is also an experienced Advocate and Care Manager with a passion for helping the aging population.
She takes Placement Services to the next level by providing very personal care and guidance to families, not only as a Placement Specialist, but also as a nurse. She is dedicated to finding the best match and negotiating the best rate for families. As a Care Manager and an Advocate, Marla helps families navigate the complexities of hospitalizations, rehabilitation centers and other aging related needs.
People deserve to be treated with respect and deserve to be loved and cared for throughout their lives, and Marla works hard for her families to make this happen. She looks forward to being by your side and helping your family navigate through the sometimes complicated and stressful journey of aging.
There is no charge to the families for placement services
Sheffield Kropp, In-Home-Care Services, Advocate, Support Coordinator 984-464-0966.
Sheffield has over 20 years in healthcare in a variety of settings assisting families privately and through health and human services as a consultant and an advocate. She also specializes in helping seniors facing chronic illnesses as an advocate, a case and care manager and in-home-care specialist. Her organization is a locally founded and operated home care registry and she takes pride in being rooted in the communities she serves.
She only refers the best, most experienced caregivers—those who pass thorough background checks, provide outstanding references, and demonstrate a true passion for compassionate care. She offers competitive pay to attract and retain top talent, ensuring long-term caregiver-client relationships that promote trust and continuity of care.
Sheffield understands that choosing a home care provider can be overwhelming. Her dedicated team is here to guide you every step of the way and help you make the best decision for your loved one’s unique needs.
Nancy Stolfo-Corti, Advisor & End-of-Life Services and Support 919-410-3149.
Nancy brings more than 30 years of experience in care and hospice to her work as an elder advisor and end-of-life guide. She has spent her adult life helping medically fragile populations live the best day possible—every day.
An evangelist for aging in grace, Nancy has dedicated her career to educating older adults and families on the resources needed to preserve dignity, independence, and comfort. As a certified death doula and funeral hospitality advisor, she supports individuals and families through life’s most tender transitions, offering services such as:
- Life enrichment for chronic diagnosis- Guidance and support for all family members after chronic diagnosis for life sustaining goals.
- End-of-Life Planning & Last Wishes – Gentle, personalized guidance to ensure closure, legacy, and peace of mind.
- Eulogy Writing & Delivery – Crafting and presenting heartfelt tributes that honor each unique life.
- Funeral & Hospitality Services – Thoughtful coordination of ceremonies and gatherings with grace and dignity.
- Travel Logistics – Ensuring safe, compassionate arrangements for those with physical limitations or final journeys.
- Companionship & Transition Care – Providing emotional, spiritual, and practical presence at the bedside and beyond.
Nancy’s mission is to serve families with compassion, wisdom, and creativity—helping to honor life while bringing peace and meaning to its closing chapters.
Allison O’Shea, Aging Strategist, and founder of Openly Aging 919-323-7539.
Allison O’Shea is a bestselling author, a nationally recognized speaker, Aging Strategist, and founder of Openly Aging.
With more than 20 years of executive leadership in senior living, Allison has guided thousands of individuals and families through the complexities of aging. Her experience revealed a powerful truth: before services are hired or moves are made, families need clarity.
Allison works with independent adults who want thoughtful direction about their future, as well as families navigating change who need a steady, unbiased strategy before taking their next step. She believes aging is not something to fix — but something to approach with intention.
Through her proprietary Four Pillars framework — Support System, Living Environment, Supportive Services, and Social Connection — Allison helps clients evaluate where they are, understand what is truly needed, and align decisions with long-term independence.
Rather than reacting to crisis, she equips families to think ahead with confidence.
As the bestselling author of Openly Aging - The 4 Pillars to Keep Control of Your Aging Journey, Allison is changing the way we look at aging — shifting the narrative from fear and urgency to clarity and empowerment.
Her mission is simple: help people protect their independence by leading with strategy before service.
Marlene Slieter, Medicare Specialist, REALTOR, Seniors Real Estate Specialist, Downsizing Consultant. 919-417-6663
Marlene brings more than 20 years of experience serving and supporting seniors. She began her career in the early 2000s by launching a professional organizing service, which quickly evolved into helping seniors downsize, prepare for moves, and navigate a variety of life transitions with hands-on support.
In 2014, Marlene earned her insurance license and began specializing in Medicare planning. Her natural talent for organizing soon led to new opportunities — partnering with a client to flip homes, which inspired her to obtain her REALTOR® license in 2017. Committed to deepening her expertise in serving the aging population, she also earned the Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) designation.
Today, Marlene is the owner of Slieter Solutions, an independent insurance agency, and a real estate professional with the Hillsborough Real Estate Group. While she assists clients of all ages with buying and selling homes, she is especially passionate about guiding seniors through the downsizing process — providing steady support and consultation during what can often be an emotional transition. Helping others isn’t just her profession; it’s her nature.
Bela Gary, Reiki Master 301-412-5915.
Bela is a certified Reiki Master and she is also certified in Soul Link™, a gentle healing method used to help reduce anxiety and support emotional well-being — especially for people experiencing cognitive changes or dementia related challenges. She works with older adults and those navigating the transitions of aging with greater comfort, calm, and dignity. Her approach is compassionate, respectful, and grounded in training that honors both tradition and safety. Reiki — a hands-on energy method that promotes relaxation and stress relief — is increasingly being included in health and wellness education programs at respected institutions such as Duke, reflecting growing interest in holistic care techniques as part of broader well-being practices. Bela is also a published author, a creative writing coach and has a law degree. She has published three books with a fourth on the way in 2026.
Valerie J. Jurik - CAPS, Licensed RE Broker, Ageless Living Agent 919-599-6940.
Valerie is a distinguished Entrepreneur, CEO, Educator, Author, and highly sought-after Speaker on Aging in Place. With over 30 years of expertise in housing, healthcare, and senior living innovation, she is recognized as a trusted authority for families seeking the very best in guidance, care, and home solutions.
Valerie’s career spans ownership of a successful medical equipment and respiratory company to leading-edge consulting on ageless living design. She offers an unparalleled ability to curate spaces that allow individuals to remain at home with confidence, comfort, and elegance—whether through renovations, customized accessibility features, or refined design that blends safety with style.
When life transitions call for a move, Valerie’s credentials as a North Carolina Licensed Real Estate Broker provide her clients with a seamless, end-to-end experience. From discreetly managing the sale of a home to orchestrating senior move specialists, packing, relocation, and flawless setup, she ensures every step is handled with precision and care.
For Valerie, aging well is not a challenge to be solved, but a life chapter to be designed with dignity, ease, and beauty.
Sophia Pelton, Doctor of Physical Therapy and Personalized Exercise Programs 919-514-3302.
Sophia has a deep focus on orthopedic rehabilitation, manual therapy, and the power of hands-on healing. Drawing from over 20 years of clinical experience, she specializes in helping people recover from injuries or helping to prevent them, giving them a better quality of life. She also specializes in helping individuals recover from injury, reduce pain, and return to the activities they love - with strength, precision, and renewed trust in their bodies. Sophia is known for her skillful use of dry needling, joint mobilization, and soft tissue work.
She also works with Breast Cancer patients in all stages of their journey, inspiring wellness through evidence-based movement and present-moment awareness.
Sophia approaches each client with both clinical insight and intuitive presence. She believes that true healing goes beyond protocols - it’s personal, rooted in connection, and driven by a deep understanding of the body’s capacity to repair.