About Us – Meet Our Team

Danica Scuderi-Carluccio is the Founding Share Holder of Advocates for the Aging, Inc., as well as a Professional Guardian, Geriatric Case Manager, a Nationally Certified Alzheimer's/Dementia Practitioner, and Social Worker. In January 2008 Danica chose to embark on a new journey and opened Advocates for the Aging. Danica's passion from a young girl has been advocating for the elderly. In her early teens, Danica spends many hours volunteering in nursing homes and the local hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center. Later receiving a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work with a focus on the end of life/counseling and law. Danica's past positions included: Social Services Director, Case Manager, Risk Manager, and Abuse Prevention Coordinator in Rehabilitation/Nursing facilities. Danica became a Registered Professional Guardian in 2005 and a Certified National Guardian. She has also developed stimulation & activity programs for those with Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia. Danica has provided educational presentations on topics related to Aging Sensitivity, Rights of the Elderly, Dementia & Alzheimer's Disease, and the role of a Professional Guardian. Danica believes that if one leads their life from their heart, all will fall into place. When building her team, she sought those whose passions are similar to her own; the love of the elderly, strong advocacy for ensuring quality in the lives of others and leading with their heart. Danica was also the recipient of a 2016 Humanitarian Award for the services she and her team provide to Brevard County!!  

Janielle is the Director of Case Management and a Nationally Certified Alzheimer's/Dementia Practitioner for our team with 20+years of long term care experience. She began with our team on a part-time basis in 2009 and joined us full-time in January 2012. Janielle obtained her certified nursing assistant certification in 1997 and started volunteering at a skilled nursing facility. She furthered her education in 2003 by obtaining her Associate degree in Nursing and a Nationally Certified Dementia Practitioner. Her experience includes working as a Restorative C.N.A., Restorative Nurse, Medical Records Assistant and Director, and Physician Credentialing Chairperson. Janielle loves working with the geriatric population, as she sees her clients as her own family. She loves to see the smiles on their faces and at the end of the day, knows she has made a difference in their lives!

Penny is a Nurse Case Manager for our team with 20+ years of long term care experience. She has been with our team since May of 2008. She began her career in long-term care in 1994 as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She furthered her education, obtaining her Practical Nursing license in 2001. Other positions she has held include Sub-Acute Rehabilitation nurse, Staff Development Director, and Clinical Assessment Nurse for Medicare and Medicaid. Penny enjoys working with the elderly to ensure their golden years have quality. Penny loves to listen to our clients reminisce about significant life events and advocating their wishes. In August of 2016 Penny chose to transition to a stay-at-home Mom in order to spend more time with her children, however, does continue to be a nurse case manager as our team needs her.

Sharon is a Geriatric Case Manager and a Social Worker for our team with almost 30 years of experience in both long-term care and case management. She has her BS in Psychology with a minor in Family Counseling from Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA. Sharon joined our team in 2015, bringing with her the love of the elderly, business experience and extensive social work knowledge into the family and long-term care arenas.

Taylor is a Professional Guardian and a Geriatric  & Special Needs Case Manager for our team.  She started her healthcare journey as a pharmaceutical packing technician in a mental health facility in Michigan in 2009. Soon after, Taylor married and became a stay-at-home mom for two wonderful children while her husband was serving in the Army. In 2015 her husband finished his tour in Iraq and the family moved to Florida. Taylor is currently working towards her Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Taylor joined AFTA in the Spring of 2018. She loves helping those with special needs, as well as the elderly. As with each member of AFTA, the journey of loving the elderly started at home, Taylor states time with her Busia is such a special gift that lead her to where she is today! She considers and treats each as extended family and truly enjoys connecting with them and listening to their life stories. In July 2021 Taylor passed her Professional Guardian course and test. As of August 2021, Taylor is formally registered at the Office of Professional and Public Guardians as a Professional Guardian.  We are so proud of Taylor's accomplishments! 

Cindy is a Senior Executive Assistant and Office Manager for our team.  She worked with us on a part-time basis, until August 2016, when she decided to join us full-time. Cindy brings with her 25+ years of problem-solving and auditing experience, not to mention a bubbly, positive personality, which our clients enjoy when they call our office!

Christine is the Business Office Manager and a Nationally Certified Alzheimer's/Dementia Practitioner for our team almost 30 years experience in the medical field. Christine joined our team in 2013. She has worked in the insurance arena for over 5 years bringing us her years of experience in Medicare, Medicaid and insurance billing. In addition, she has a passion for the disabled and has spent over 20 years educating herself with the complex system to obtain appropriate benefits and resources for those in need. 

Pam is the File Clerk  for our team.  Pam has worked in the medical field since 1975. She retired in 2014 from a local hospital and chose to join our team as a part-time member, but in 2019 went to as needed team member.  She is enjoying retirement with her husband.

Sheri Biondi, Professional Guardian & Geriatric Case Manager, joined our team in January 2020. She was born and raised here in our beautiful Brevard County. She graduated from Merritt Island high school in 1992. Furthering her career at Brevard Community College in the Nursing program. She later obtained her Certified Nursing Assistant license in 2009 as she discovered her love for people. In 2006 Sheri worked for Melbourne Police Department as a Victim Advocate. For the last 13 years, Sheri has provided great customer service, community resources, and case management services to our Brevard county elders. She became a licensed professional guardian in 2017, seeing firsthand how services are able to enrich the life experiences of individuals. Sheri is committed to ensuring that those we serve to receive appropriate care, protection, and services in the least restrictive manner possible.

CJ is a Special Needs Case Manager & Property Manager for our team and has been behind the scenes assisting once in a while since 2010, but officially started full-time with us in August 2016 as Property Manager Assistant, then promoted to Property Manager. His experience includes auditing, project management, and execution of proper product/services marketing techniques. He is tasked with the coordination of client moves and personal property management. CJ is responsible for minor repairs, property inspections, ensuring proper execution of Estate Sales, home cleanouts, sale of automobiles, boats, RV's on behalf of our clients. CJ also offers assistance to our Case Managers when entering volatile situations to ensure their safety. He is also Danica's husband.

John is a Special Needs Case Manager &  Property Manager Assistant for our team.  He has offered a helping hand on and off with client moves since 2014. John has 25+ years in the automotive industry as a supervisor. John assisted in the care of his wife's grandparents until their passing and has much respect and empathy for the elderly, disabled, and those in need. He has spent many years making outdoor furniture and being an all-around handyman. John is known as the practical joker on our team and always has the clients laughing!

Jeremy comes to us with 19 yrs of long term care experience. He began his career in 2003 as an LPN Charge Nurse for UPMC Sugarcreek Station, a nursing home and rehabilitation center. Jeremy enjoyed listening to the stories of elderly residents, from growing up to wartime stories from veterans. While there he furthered his training becoming IV/Blood draw and Wound Care certified. In 2005 Jeremy began a journey as a State Nurse for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Department of Human Services. He worked for 17 years at Polk State Center, a home for people with Intellectual and Developmental disabilities. Through these experiences Jeremy developed a passion for caring for special needs individuals and our elderly. He has a core belief advocating for the right of the individuals we care for is the greatest service we can offer. In April 2022 he decided to relocate to Florida with his 2 sons to be close to family and further his career.