Today we’d like to introduce you to Tamara Fye.
Hi Tamara, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story begins with my Gram who had just had her second total knee replacement surgery when I graduated from high school. I told her I wanted to be a hairdresser. Gram said, “You have to have your own profession to support yourself. What will happen if, God forbid, you marry, have kids, then end up divorced, or he passes away? How will you care for your children? I just had another knee surgery. I think you would be great at helping people get better after surgeries.” Even though I thought, “That would never happen to me,” I decided to try it and attended college. I received my associate degree in physical therapy assisting (PTA). After college graduation, I got married, and 2 years later, we had a son. Well guess what happened? Gram was right. I had an 18-month-old son going through divorce court for 1.5 years. Thank heavens, I listened to Gram and had a stable career.
What Gram said could happen, did happen. But then I decided I wanted more for my son and myself. I returned to college for my bachelor’s degree to become a physical therapist. With the support of my parents, siblings, and the Good Lord above, for 3 years, I worked full time as a physical therapist assistant, raised my son, and attended college full time, 2.5 hours away from home every other weekend, and become a physical therapist. I was elected class president & graduated magna cum laude. Upon college graduation, I met my second husband. My husband and I tried to have children. Unfortunately, even with the help of modern science, we were unsuccessful. So, I began climbing the ladder at the skilled nursing facility where I worked. I became the rehabilitation services’ director overseeing a 7-day a week rehabilitation program with physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. Soon after becoming the rehab director, guess who became a resident there? My Gram! She lived in the nursing facility for her last 6 years. This time with her was invaluable. I had the privilege of seeing her and advocating for her every day. She passed away at the age of 93. Immediately upon her passing, I knew I had to do more to care for and protect seniors. Gram helped me see senior healthcare from “her side of the bed.” I then worked full-time, continued to raise our son with my husband, and completed the education and licensing to become a nursing home administrator. Being an operator of a nursing home is not a “sexy profession;” but it is one of the most rewarding. I operated many nursing homes and then advanced to be a regional director of operations with a nursing home company. The best part of my day was interacting with the residents and their families. Seniors were not always 85 years old and in need of care. They built this country. They paid taxes, raised families, went on vacation, went to war, buried children, went to the grocery store, worked demanding jobs, and led productive lives. It is a true privilege to care for seniors. I continued operating skilled nursing homes, independent and assisted living facilities, and memory care facilities in Ohio, Northern Virginia, and Tennessee. Throughout my 35 years of caring for seniors and their families, I saw a significant need for someone to educate, support, guide, and embrace families through the struggles of aging, illness, and navigating our complex senior healthcare system. My husband agreed. He noticed many family members and friends calling me for help and assistance when their aging loved one was in the hospital, a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or at home & was not safe. I bring a unique, knowledgeable, and vested perspective to providing education and advocacy for families of seniors along their aging journey.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has been a consistently bumpy road. The senior healthcare system is challenging with state and federal regulations, the fragility of the seniors, corporate protocols, financial constraints, staffing challenges, the emotional stress of the senior’s families, family dynamics, and unmet expectations of those I served. Emergencies occurred within the facility at all hours of the day & night, working long hours, sacrificing time with my own family, and having my phone at my side at every moment because when the phone rang – there was a need for help. At any time, there were 120 residents, 100 staff members, and families I needed to ensure for the safety of and their quality of life. After 35 years, I would graciously take the same path to be where I am today. The endless number of seniors and their families whom I cared for all those years was my God-given purpose on this Earth. My “Lil Ol Peeps” gave me more than I could have ever dreamed.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
My purpose is to ease the struggles which arise with aging and illness and help navigate the senior healthcare system on behalf of seniors and their families. The families of seniors have responsibilities from multiple entities. Their time is limited, and they can be overwhelmed with the stressors which occur with being responsible for the care and security of an aging loved one. There are holes in every professional service. I help families understand the holes and guide them through. I want the professionals who serve seniors and their families to be successful. I liaise among the senior, their family, and the senior service provider. I want to ensure the senior is cared for according to their preferences and wishes. The families need guidance to obtain these preferences and learn how to advocate for their aging loved ones. I help families determine the most appropriate senior service for their loved ones and research those service providers so families do not have to. I listen with an open and understanding heart to what is occurring within the seniors’ and their families’ lives and help to manage their goals they want to achieve. I develop the necessary questions for families to use to vet a senior care provider, so the family feels comfortable and safe with their choices. I research and connect families with any service provider they need such as an estate attorney, elder law attorney, home health services, hospice services, acute rehab facilities, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities, memory care facilities, certified senior care managers, certified senior real estate agents, specialized move managers, estate sales companies, financial planners, legal aid for veterans, etc. I ensure all financial resources are utilized, provide support with the appeals process with the insurance company, and perform supportive services for families who have seniors out of state. For families out of state I can check in on the seniors and the service providers and report to the families. I am available when emergencies occur with their aging loved ones.
I am most proud of my ability to listen generously to families, feel & understand their pain points, and provide the support, guidance, and advocacy they need. I know what it is like to care for an aging loved one from both sides of the bed. I understand, respect, and appreciate how much families love their aging family members. I am different because I bring 35 years of truly working and living in the trenches of the service healthcare system. I understand the back-end operations and the front-end needs. I am loyal to seniors and their families. I do not receive monies from any third party for a referral, representation, or sale; the families pay me for my expertise and care on their behalf.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love everything about Knoxville. Knoxville has the morals which built this fine country and God has a strong presence. Residents are kind, respectful, and genuinely engaging. The city is clean and always has something happening for the residents to enjoy, regardless of their tastes and preferences. I cannot believe all that happens daily. There is also a place to shop for every need. The only negative I see is the congestion and traffic. I often go out of my way not to drive on 75 or 40.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://agingfamilypartners.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agingfamilypartners/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/agingfamilypartners/
