About Ann

 Ann Craynon, MS Gerontology, CMC
Aging Life Care™ Manager

Ann has been a Geriatric Care Manager since 2012, previously working with Rosemary Allender at Family Eldercare Management in Bowie, MD. Ann holds a Master’s Degree in Family Studies and Gerontology from Virginia Tech. She has many years of professional experience working with the elderly as a care manager and in long-term care, as well as personal experience caring for her own family members. 

  • Certified with National Association of Care Managers
  • Certified Aging Life Care™ Manager and Advanced Member of the Aging Life Care™ Association (ALCA)
  • Certified to administer the Brief Cognitive Assessment Tests (BCAT)
  • Member of the Prince George’s Senior Provider Network (PGSPN)

ALCA member

Ann’s Story

 I was raised in College Park, my mom taught in Prince George’s County, and my father worked in Annapolis. Other than going away to school, Maryland has always been the place I call home.

One of my first memories of spending time with ‘old’ people is playing board games on the floor when one of my grandmothers visited. My childhood after-school care was provided by my other grandmother–a retired, no-nonsense school teacher who had moved in down the street to be near her only child and her grandchildren. I shudder now to think that my grandmothers were probably only in their sixties when I thought they were old!

As years went on, my relationships with them changed and focused more on helping my parents to care for them.  The grandmother down the street had been quite independent, but a serious fall curtailed her activities and changed the dynamics in the relationship. She went from helping raise her grandchildren to receiving daily visits, meals, and care, eventually requiring live-in help. The other grandmother moved in with my parents after a stroke made it clear that living alone was no longer a good option.

During college I focused on Family and Child Services, but a summer internship as an aide at a nursing home cultivated my interest in gerontology.  I loved working with the residents and was fascinated by their stories. Over time, I became passionate about advocating for my own grandparents and the other older folks that I knew through my church.

Eventually I finished school with a master’s in gerontology. I spent several years working in long-term care before taking time off to raise my children.  When I got ready to rejoin the workforce, I knew that I didn’t want to return to working in a nursing home.  Having spent years caring for my own parents, and doing what I could to help preserve their independence, I knew that there were other good alternatives available. I was interested in helping the folks that I knew who were struggling with aging or end of life issues to navigate the challenges and achieve the best quality of life that they could while staying safe.

I was very fortunate to join Rosemary Allender, owner of Family Eldercare Management in 2012, and I learned so much during my years of working with her.  When Rosemary announced her retirement, it was an easy decision to start my own company; I wanted to continue the personal care management style that we had developed.  I am looking forward to continuing to serve my clients and to developing friendships along the way.