About ACAP
Our Story
ACAP (Adult Children of Aging Parents) was launched in 2012 in Hickory, NC, as a community-based program, becoming ACAPcommunity, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, a year later in preparation for expansion beyond western North Carolina. Based on its nationally-validated curriculum, ACAPcommunity provides a variety of educational programs that offer information, resources, support and community for adult-children as they care for their aging parents and for themselves. Local chapters (currently in North Carolina and Pennsylvania) provide free face-to-face monthly educational programs and an annual conference that address the myriad issues related to adult-child caregiving. Local content-experts serve as speakers, and local businesses provide resources for attendees. In addition, through its website, ACAPcommunity offers audio podcasts dealing with a wide range of concerns related to aging, caregiving and family dynamics. Although focused on adult-child caregivers, ACAP programs are open to all who are interested and encourage caring for one’s own needs and learning strategies to help prepare for one own’s aging while caring for an elder loved one.
Since beginning in the Hickory area, ACAP has grown tremendously, testimony to the significant need adult-children have for support during their journey with aging parents. Read about the demographics of ACAP participants and the program’s impact here. ACAPcommunity’s unique Guiding Principles serve as the organization’s foundation and framework, ensuring its commitment to an educational core, the teaching of evidence-based information and the implementation of best practices. Read ACAP’s Guiding Principles.
Frances Hall, the founder of ACAP, along with Jane Everson, co-founder of ACAPcommunity, know first-hand, the joys and privilege of journeying with aging parents. They also understand some of the complexities and challenges of accompanying a parent as she/he ages. Learn more about their stories as adult-children of aging parents and how and why they began ACAPcommunity.
ACAPcommunity Board of Directors
The ACAPcommunity Board of Directors is made up of extraordinary people who are passionate about ensuring adult-children and other caregivers of older adult loved ones have meaningful educational and emotional support. Not only do our Board members understand ACAP’s value, most have been, or currently are, a caregiver for a parent, sibling, or other loved one. They know first-hand the joys and challenges of the caregiver journey. Representing diverse backgrounds, their individually unique backgrounds and skillsets unite into a strong and dedicated group of individuals committed to achieving ACAP’s mission and vision.
2024 Board of Directors
Bob Cain
Vice President, Marketing, Piedmont Home Care (NC)
Adrienne Calhoun
Director, Piedmont Triad Regional Council Area Agency on Aging (NC) – ACAP Board Secretary
Laura Croft
Vice President for Advancement, Berry College (GA)
Jerry Davis
President & CEO, Burke County Chamber of Commerce, Retired (NC) – ACAP Board Vice Chair
Terri Earls
Chief Administrative Officer, Cascade United Methodist Church (GA)
Lisa Fanto
Founder & Owner, The Retirement Compass (GA)
Mark Hensley
Associate State Director, AARP (NC) – ACAP Board Immediate Past Chair
Carol Sparks
Technology Program Manager, Carning, Inc., Retired (NC) – ACAP Board Treasurer
Jody Street
Senior Vice President, Area Executive, Peoples Bank (NC)
Lee Syria
President & CEO, EveryAge (NC)
Althea Taylor Jones, Ph.D.
Immediate Past President, Southern Gerontological Society, Professor & Gerontology Program Administrator, retired (NC)
Kim Whitley, J.D.
Managing Partner, Patrick Harper & Dixon, LLP (NC)
Ex Officio Members
- Pamela Elfenbein, Ph.D. – Director, Institute for Healthy Aging, University of North Georgia – ACAP Hall County (GA)
- Ruth Finch, Executive Director, Elderhaus – ACAP Cape Fear (NC)
- Christian Kuswita, Owner, ComForCare Home Care – ACAP Cobb & Cherokee (GA)
- Jill Lillie, Independent Consultant – ACAP Centre County (PA)
- Bruce McReynolds, Owner, Griswold Home Care – ACAP Guilford County (NC)
- Lorraine Montalbano, SRES, CSHP, Keller Williams Village Square Realty – ACAP Bergen County (NJ)
- Julie Packer, Director, Professional Relations, Carolina Caring – ACAP Hickory/Foothills (NC)
- Mary Remmes, Certified Life Coach – ACAP Atlanta (GA)
- Jessica Swanson, Director of Independent Living, Trinity Elms – ACAP Winston-Salem (NC)
