Advocacy Spotlight
Ailene Gerhardt, MA, BCPA
Beacon Patient Solutions LLC - Navigating Solo Network
Ailene Gerhardt of Beacon Patient Solutions LLC is NAHAC’s first Advocate in the Spotlight. Based in Brookline, Massachusetts, Ailene opened her advocacy practice in 2018. As her practice evolved, she developed a specialty in assisting the aging population who do not have the support of adult children and family members – solo agers. In the fall of 2021 she launched the Navigating Solo Network: The Path to Dynamic Solo Aging Starts Here™ which includes a national website, a growing network of members, and an online clearinghouse featuring resources specifically for Solo Agers.
In the summer of 2021, Ailene convened Pros Working with Solo Agers, a national multi-disciplinary group of professionals whose work has a focus on Solo Agers. The multi-disciplinary group meets monthly and tackles issues facing solo agers.
In addition to her groundbreaking work with Solo Agers, Ailene serves as the Vice President of the NAHAC Board of Directors. Over the past year, her strategic thinking and technical skills have supported NAHAC in its work with the Coalition of Health Care Advocacy Organization (CHCAO) and the building of the new NAHAC website. She also serves on the Steering Committee of the Massachusetts Health Care Advocates (MAHCA), NAHAC’s first Regional Group.
Ailene earned her undergraduate degree from Clark University and her master’s degree from Brandeis University. The experience as her mother’s primary health advocate led Ailene to a career change and her calling as a private health care advocate. Ailene completed her Professional Certificate in Consumer Health Advocacy at the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Patient Partnerships in August 2017, founded Beacon Patient Solutions LLC in February 2018, and earned her Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA) credential in April 2018 and recertified in December 2021.
Ailene can be reached via email: ailene@beaconpatientsolutions.com.
Ailene Gerhardt, Vice President of the NAHAC Board of Directors, has built her advocacy practice Beacon Patient Solutions LLC with a focus on solo agers- an aging adult 55+ who, because of choice or circumstance, is without the support of adult children or close family members.