About Us - Integrated & Comprehensive Planning

KitzWorks is a company whose sole focus is on issues in aging. Kitzworks is a unique resource to older adults, families, and businesses alike.   We use our extensive knowledge, experience and compassion to enrich the lives of older persons and those who serve, work and live with them.

KitzWorks helps older adults and their families: (See Older Adults And Their Families page)

• Plan for long term care so they can protect their financial, legal and health care security.
• Work through the difficult decisions they face when caring for an aging spouse or parent.
• Navigate the maze of public and private providers and benefits.
• Relieve the stress on family caregivers.

KitzWorks helps employers and business owners: (See Employers and Business Owners Page)

• Recognize and respond to lost productivity, absenteeism and turnover related to working caregivers.
• Enhance their competitive advantage with successful eldercare programs.
• Decrease attrition of valuable caregiver employees.
• Develop effective partnerships with private and non-profit organizations to assist working caregivers.

Kitzworks helps long term care providers: (See Long Term Care Providers page)

• Achieve best practice standards and improve care with innovative, engaging training programs.
• Watch a renewed sense of pride and commitment evolve among your staff.
• Decrease staff turnover with improved staff morale and enjoyment of their work.

Our mission is to be your guide in navigating the challenges and wonders of aging. We look forward to working with you.

Our clients can expect:

• Comprehensive advice — KitzWorks offers broad expertise and experience so you can plan, access and pay for the best long term care services available.
• Accessibility — Clients have unlimited access to KitzWorks by phone or in person.
• Objectivity — Our complete focus is on what is best for our clients.  KitzWorks does not sell products, and we are paid by our clients, not by hidden commissions.
• Exceptional Advocacy — KitzWorks provides ongoing education to you about all aspects of long term care.  KitzWorks also serves as an advocate for your loved one and your family with all service providers. 
• Integrity — KitzWorks primary concern is the well-being and quality of life of our clients and their families.

Who We Are

KitzWorks LLC :: Stephanie Bender-Kitz, Ph.D., Aging and Long Term Care Specialist

Stephanie is the owner and president of KitzWorks. Stephanie has worked as a gerontologist (an aging specialist) for over 20 years. Her experiences with nursing homes, hospitals, community-education programs, mental health services and research organizations across the United States and abroad provides her with a broad and deep understanding of the process of aging, retirement and long term care. Stephanie completed her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Illinois, her Master’s Degree in Gerontology from the University of Southern California and her M.P.H. and Ph.D. in Health Services and Policy Analysis from the University of California, Berkeley.

Stephanie’s academic and professional work has focused on how long term care is organized and financed and how public policies affect families needing this care. She has extensive experience teaching families about the financial, legal, health and social issues affecting their lives as they age. If given a chance to speak with groups about aging and long term care, she jumps at it! Stephanie is fully committed to helping people be prepared for and able to enjoy a long, vital life.

Stephanie works diligently to ensure that each client’s concerns and needs are addressed. She helps educate clients about options for in-home and community-based support services, housing options, public benefit programs (Medicare, Medicaid, and others), and about care giving and how to help caregivers take care of themselves. She works to ensure that clients are familiar with community resources, are able to assess quality in care providers, and understand how to monitor the effectiveness and appropriateness of care services. To do this, Stephanie maintains a constant presence in the community meeting with care providers to understand the scope of services available.