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Better Living For Seniors

Pinellas Chapter

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Our Mission

"At Better Living for Seniors, our mission is to enhance the quality of life for seniors by championing service excellence through proactive leadership, innovative collaboration, and a commitment to ethical practices in networking and education."





  • Dunedin Chamber of Commerce had the honor of presenting checks to the 2025 Dunedin Pride nonprofit recipients: PFLAG Safety Harbor and Better Living For Seniors Pinellas – LGBTQ Elder Initiative. 
  • Accountability, Data, ​& Impact 2024 - ​The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco – Pinellas is governed by Florida Sunshine Laws and follows all Public Records Laws, ensuring transparency and fiduciary responsibility of the organization.

About Better Living 
for Seniors (BLS)

Founded in 1988 in partnership with the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc., the Better Living for Seniors (BLS) Consortium is a dedicated network of professionals committed to serving seniors. Our organization, based in Pinellas County, Florida, is supported by a Board of Directors and several specialized committees.

BLS proudly represents over 220 members who are actively involved in enhancing the lives of seniors. Our members contribute their expertise by volunteering on committees, participating in information-sharing events, and engaging in networking and educational opportunities.

This collaborative approach fosters a supportive community where members can refer business and build valuable connections.

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, serves as a vital partner, providing essential services to seniors and their caregivers across Pasco and Pinellas counties

BLS Member Spotlight

We extend our sincere gratitude for your valued membership with Better Living for Seniors (BLS). Your dedication and active participation are essential to the strength and success of BLS Pinellas. Thank you for your continued commitment to supporting seniors in Pinellas County!

Upcoming election for the 2026-2027 Better Living for Seniors-Pinellas Board of Directors

This election is an important opportunity for you to show your support and contribute to the future direction of our organization. Please take the time to review the candidate profiles before you cast your vote. Your voice matters! 

The positions of President, Vice-President, and Secretary will be uncontested. However, we have three candidates vying for the Member-at-Large positions. This is a contested election, and your participation is highly encouraged.

President (Uncontested)

The President will preside at all Board of Directors and BLS Chomp & Chat and Consortium meetings, supervise, monitor and coordinate all business and affairs of BLS, and shall have the power and authority to perform all other duties as may from time to time be assigned to the President by the Board of Directors. The President, in concert with the Board, will establish budgetary guidelines for annual spending for BLS Committees. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all BLS committees except the nominating committee.

Kathryn Larkin

With over 25 years of experience as a Realtor with Century 21 Real Estate Champions, I have built my career helping seniors and their adult children navigate important housing transitions with care, expertise, and results. About 15 years ago, my husband, Tom Steck, joined me in business, and together we formed the TomKat Team. We are known for being focused, strong negotiators, and creative marketers. We made a point of getting our SRES designation, which gives us extra training for dealing with senior citizens.

 I would like to nominate myself for President of BLS. Since joining in 2016, I have been proud to serve our organization in many roles—first as a member of the Membership Committee, then as Vice Chair, and for the past three years as Chair of the committee. I have also contributed to the Silver Santas Committee as well as the Fundraising Committee. Through my leadership as Membership Chair, we have consistently grown our Chomp ’n Chat attendance, reaching approximately 80 members this year, with projections of 90 or more in 2026. In addition, we have strengthened our relationship with AAAPP by inviting them to attend and speak at our Chomp ’n Chats.

As President, my focus will be on building stronger relationships with communities while continuing to expand membership and deepen engagement across committees. I believe BLS thrives when we bring people together, and I am committed to creating opportunities that not only welcome new members but also inspire consistent participation from our current ones. With over 40 years of experience as a businesswoman, combined with a proven record of fostering connections and growth within BLS, I am excited for the opportunity to guide our organization into its next chapter of success.

Vice President (Uncontested)

The Vice-President shall serve in the absence of the President and shall exercise such power and authority to perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board and/or the President.

Tammy Mohr

I have been with the Senior Living Guide for 17 years.  I love what I do because I meet professionals in this industry within the Tampa Bay Area that truly care for our seniors and their quality of life.  When I started with the Senior Living Guide, I had NO idea what an ALF, Skilled Nursing Facility, Home Health Care agency, Elder Law Attorney (the list is endless) meant and how they all helped our seniors.  Now I feel that I have the knowledge and the connections to better help people when they are in need and the BLS Pinellas members have been a large part of my personal growth in this industry.  There is a lot more to say however I will close with this, it is a great honor to be on the BLS Board as Vice President, and I hope that I can continue to serve and learn from the BLS members every day.

Secretary (Uncontested)

The Secretary shall be responsible for the preparation and distribution of the minutes of the Board to the members in a timely fashion; shall serve notices of meetings of the Board and shall exercise such power and authority to perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board.

Meg Craig

Meg Craig is the proud owner of Griswold Care Pairing in Pinellas County, continuing a remarkable legacy of caregiving that spans three generations of women in her family. The company was originally founded in 1991 by Meg’s mother Sue, who established Griswold as one of the first home care providers in the area focused on delivering compassionate, affordable, and high-quality non-medical care.

Today, Meg leads the family business with the same passion and integrity, working alongside her adult daughter Liz to ensure families across Pinellas County receive the trusted support they need. This multi-generational commitment has made Griswold a household name for those seeking dependable in-home care for aging loved ones.

For over 30 years, Meg and her family have been proud members of Better Living for Seniors Pasco/Pinellas, participating in its mission to improve the lives of seniors through collaboration, education, and community engagement.

Under Meg’s leadership, Griswold’s Care Pairing continues to be a pillar in the local senior care community—driven by values rooted in family, service, and compassion. When she’s not leading her team or meeting with families, Meg enjoys spending time with her kids and pets, cooking, reading and traveling. Meg takes pride in the lasting impact her family has made—and continues to make—on the lives of others in Pinellas County.

Member at Large (Choose two candidates)

The Member-at-Large shall serve in the absence of other board member positions and shall exercise such power and authority to perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned by the board or President. Member-at-Large will help with Chomp & Chats and Consortiums if asked by the presenting committee or at other meetings when help is needed.

Katie Conway

Katie is a highly accomplished and results-driven leader with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare sector. As Vice-President of Mobile Dermatology Solutions, a Florida-based in-home dermatology provider, Katie expertly manages a team of thirty staff members including medical providers and administrative staff members. Her career is marked by a consistent record of success in driving growth and fostering innovation within both established organizations and startup environments. Katie's expertise encompasses personnel management, strategic marketing initiatives, and impactful business development strategies. She is deeply committed to building high-performing teams and cultivating a collaborative and supportive work culture. A dedicated member of BLS since 2014, Katie is currently serving as a BLS Member at Large and contributes actively to the Membership Committee. Beyond her professional achievements, Katie is actively engaged in community service, volunteering for organizations such as Keep Pinellas Beautiful and serving on the board of other non-profit organizations. She is a familiar and welcoming face at the monthly BLS Chomp & Chat events, where she serves as the Event Check-in Registrar. Katie was born and raised in Hawaii and moved to Florida in 2000. She currently resides in Safety Harbor, FL with her husband and pet Aussie-Doodle.

Kristin Downer

As the owner of Assisted Living Locators North Central Pinellas and Southwest Pasco, I provide a no-cost senior placement and referral service to my local community, offering the best care options, information, and resources available. With over 30 years of experience as a marketer, I have excelled in streamlining marketing and business development processes. Before joining Assisted Living Locators, I operated my own consulting business, assisting firms in the architectural, engineering, and construction management sectors. My passion for serving seniors is deeply personal, stemming from my own experience navigating the process of selecting an assisted living facility for my mother. As a member of the Assisted Living Locators team and an experienced marketer, I believe I could benefit the BLS leadership team. I have also been a major sponsor and member of Silver Santas for the past two years.

Karyn Rizzo-Jimenez

Karyn Rizzo- Jimenez, Healthcare Account Executive for A Place for Mom, has over 20 years in the Senior Living Healthcare industry.

Born a native of Chicago, Illinois, she has lived in Florida for most of her life. Her work in Physician Office management and subsequently in the Senior Living Healthcare Assisted Living and Skilled Nursing Centers has created a unique outlook on the entirety of the industry. Her familiarity with all sides of the healthcare system, has given her a very unique perspective to assist families with resources and navigating the programs available to assist with care.

Her passion to help families connect to local resources and receive knowledge and assistance has been a key theme of her work over many years. As a patient advocate in every sense, she has worked diligently to protect seniors and their families from those that would take advantage of them for their own personal gain.

She published a book named Aging in America: Navigating our Healthcare System to assist the public with knowledge and resources.

Her commitment to assist the most vulnerable in our society, including those with dementia, mental health diseases and personality disorders has been a special passion of hers. Her causes include Patient Advocacy, Mental Health Awareness and Veterans and their families.

Electronic polling will open on Friday, October 3rd and will remain open until Friday, October 10, 2025, at 4:00 PM EST. Members will receive an email containing a voting link. Please note that each member is permitted one vote, and votes cannot be altered once submitted. To vote you will need to be logged-in online to your BLS membership account to verify your eligibility. Please note that all votes will be recorded anonymously.

We extend our best wishes to all the candidates who are participating in this election process. Your commitment and dedication are truly appreciated.

Better Living For Seniors Pinellas

LGBTQ+ Elder Initiative Consortium

Date: October 10, 2025

Time: 8:30 AM – 10:30 AM

Location: The Grove at Countryside, Clearwater, FL 33759

Join BLS Pinellas for a dynamic morning dedicated to strengthening support, resources, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ older adults. This year’s consortium, hosted by the LGBTQ+ Elder Initiative Committee, brings together a diverse panel of thought leaders, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community advocates to share insights, lived experiences, and innovative approaches for creating truly inclusive spaces for aging with dignity.

Our panelists will share research insights, lived experiences, and practical strategies for creating more inclusive and supportive environments for LGBTQ+ elders. Attendees will have the opportunity to explore community resources, expand their networks, and take away actionable tools to implement in their own work. We believe real change starts with informed conversations and intentional collaboration—and this event is designed to spark both.

For more Information and to register click here



Silver Santas is a grassroots project of Better Living for Seniors in Pinellas county.  Our goal is to provide gifts during the holiday season to isolated and low-income seniors living in assisted living, senior housing communities and at home. The gift recipients are identified by professional Guardians, Case/Social Workers, Senior Community/Activity Directors, and other professionals.  They submit a wish list for their seniors and we solicit the public to 'adopt' the senior and provide the items on the list. Your tax-deductible donations are requested to purchase commonly requested items such as toiletries, socks, slippers, blankets, pajamas, etc.  We welcome you to support the Silver Santas effort by making a monetary donation below or donating specific items.  To Learn More About Silver Santas Click here


                   

BLS Pinellas Chomp and Chat

September 2025


Wow, what a fantastic September Chomp & Chat at Westminster Suncoast! We're sending a huge thank you to everyone who came out and made it such a success. It was wonderful connecting with so many of you, both familiar faces and new friends. These connections are what truly build and strengthen our community. A special shout-out to Westminster Suncoast for being such gracious hosts and giving us a tour of their beautiful facility! We also want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our incredible 2025 BLS Grant Recipients. Your dedication to the Seniors of Pinellas County is inspiring, and we're so grateful for your partnership. We can't wait to see the amazing impact your projects will have on our local communities!


Get Involved Today

What are you waiting for? Don't miss out on the chance to be part of our vibrant community!

Join us and start your journey towards endless possibilities!

> > Join Now! < <

Unlock exclusive benefits! Join now for just $60 and enjoy membership perks through the end of 2026, including the rest of 2025! Don't miss out!

Join a Committee and Make a Difference

Become an active member of the Better Living for Seniors Consortium by joining one of our dynamic committees! Your participation is vital in shaping programs and initiatives that directly impact the lives of seniors in Pinellas County. By volunteering your time and expertise, you’ll have the opportunity to network with like-minded professionals, share valuable insights, and help drive our mission forward. Together, we can create a vibrant, supportive community for our seniors. Join a committee today and be a part of something meaningful!


BLS - Pinellas   Board Members


Mark Grande 

President


Faith Wilson

Member at Large


Tammy Mohr

Vice President


Katie Conway

Member at Large



Jody Armstrong 

Secretary


AnnMarie Winter

Executive Director AAAPP


Frank Pascoe

Past President


Social Profiles

Join us in creating a supportive and vibrant community. Stay informed, participate in activities, and enjoy the camaraderie of like-minded individuals dedicated to enhancing the lives of Pinellas County seniors. Let's stay connected and make a positive impact together!

Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas is dedicated to enhancing the lives of seniors and caregivers in Pasco and Pinellas counties.

As a trusted 501(c)(3) non-profit organization since 1974, it is the central hub for aging and disability services.

Connecting individuals with vital resources, their agency strives to create a supportive community network tailored to meet the diverse needs of our aging population.

DISCLAIMER:

BLS does not promote or vouch for the services provided by any of its members.  Members wishing to do business with one another are strongly encouraged to do their own public records searches and background screenings before entering into any business relationship.  BLS accepts no liability for any information identified from those searches/screenings or any claims arising from any verbal or written agreements members may engage in with one another.

Click here to read our policy concerning electronic communication and how we use the information we collect.



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