From Ohio to the Coasts: NaviGuide’s Mission to Transform Aging Expands

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Ashley Bills, Corporate Director of Communications & Media Relations
740.525.5703 or [email protected]

 

 From Ohio to the Coasts: NaviGuide’s Mission to Transform Aging Expands

MARION, OH (Jun. 25, 2025) United Church Homes (UCH), a leading nonprofit senior living and aging services organization, announced the further expansion of its NaviGuide program through new partnerships with RiverWoods in Exeter, New Hampshire, and ElderHelp in San Diego, California.

Launched in March 2022 under the guidance of Terry Spitznagel, UCH’s chief growth officer, the program offers personalized service coordination to help older adults and their families navigate healthcare and aging services. Since its inception, NaviGuide has supported more than 1,000 older adults and their families, delivering measurable improvements in quality of life and financial stability. High satisfaction scores and consistent positive feedback underscore the program’s significant impact in helping clients tackle complex aging-related challenges. Designed to reduce stress, improve access and enhance quality of life for those aging at home or in community settings, NaviGuide has garnered widespread praise.

“Since its launch, NaviGuide has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from the individuals and families we serve,” Spitznagel said. “We knew the best way to expand the program was to collaborate with mission-driven partners who are already embedded in their communities and are committed to reimagining how older adults receive support.”

The partnerships include:

• RiverWoods, a family of nonprofit Lifecare Retirement Communities in New Hampshire, dedicated to providing vibrant communities for older adults with the security of high-quality health care for life. Led by CEO Justine Vogel, RiverWoods boasts a strong legacy of innovation and service. The program is now up and running in New Hampshire, allowing RiverWoods to extend quality services to the greater community.

“At RiverWoods, we’ve always believed that our responsibility doesn’t end at the edge of our communities,” Vogel said. “NaviGuide is a natural extension of our services, allowing us to bring the same quality, care, and compassion that define RiverWoods to older adults and their families navigating aging at home. It’s another way to fulfill our mission of making life better, not just for our residents, but for the greater community around us.”

• ElderHelp of San Diego, a trusted provider of supportive services that help seniors remain independent and live with dignity in their own homes, led by CEO Deborah Martin. With 50 years of experience and a deep focus on community-based solutions, ElderHelp’s partnership with NaviGuide will expand access to critical care navigation services throughout the San Diego region. The program is currently in the implementation phase, with a go-live target of Aug. 1.

“I first learned about NaviGuide through a colleague who was passionate about innovative aging services, and it immediately stood out as a practical, compassionate solution to the challenges our clients and their families face every day,” Martin said. “Partnering with United Church Homes gives us the tools and support to deepen our impact and bring a new level of care navigation to older adults in San Diego and their caregivers, wherever they may be.”

“These partnerships reflect our shared values and a mutual desire to serve older adults more holistically,” Spitznagel said. “By joining forces with like-minded, innovative nonprofit organizations, we are not only expanding our reach but also ensuring that NaviGuide is grounded in the unique needs of local communities.”

Since its launch in March 2022, the NaviGuide program has supported more than 1,000 older adults and their families, delivering measurable improvements in quality of life and financial stability. UCH and its partners are now exploring additional collaborations in Illinois and Florida, and the organization remains open to conversations with other interested, like-minded nonprofit organizations.

Ken Young, President and CEO of United Church Homes said “NaviGuide represents our commitment to redefining aging with innovative, compassionate solutions. These new partnerships underscore our dedication to supporting older adults nationwide, and I am thrilled to see this program expand to meet the diverse needs of communities across New Hampshire and California.”

For more information about NaviGuide, visit www.uchnaviguide.org or contact the 24/7 help desk at 614-820-8842 or [email protected].

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For more than a century, United Church Homes has been dedicated to transforming the lives of older adults with quality housing and compassionate care. Now recognized as the 19th largest multisite nonprofit senior living organization in the U.S., according to the 2024 LeadingAge Ziegler 200 ranking, UCH proudly serves nearly 7,000 residents across more than 90 vibrant communities in 15 states and two Native American nations. Driven by a mission to redefine aging, UCH creates a culture of community, wholeness and peace for those it has the honor to serve. As a founding member of Radiant Alliance, United Church Homes continues to lead the way in shaping the future of senior living.