Mission
Communicare strives to advance the quality of life and sense of purpose for older adults by providing opportunities for lifelong learning and meaningful social interaction across generations through the use of innovative technologies.
Vision
We envision a society where individuals across generations come together as contributors in collaborative learning communities.
Denise Calhoun, PhD, EdD
Founder and President, Communicare
Denise Calhoun is the founder and President of Communicare. She is a researcher in gerontology and healthcare, and has published articles in various academic journals, including Educational Gerontology and the Journal of Adult and Continuing Education. She is also the author of Changing Seasons: A Language Arts Curriculum for Healthy Aging published by Purdue University Press.
Denise holds a B.A. in history from UCLA and additionally received a teaching credential from their graduate department of education. She also has a M.A. from California State University, Northridge and a doctor of education degree from Pepperdine University as well as a Ph.D. in their Global Leadership program.
As an educator for many years, Denise is recognized in the field of education and gerontology as a strategic thinker, trainer, and advocate of strong communication channels and is National Board Certified as a distinguished teacher in Language Arts. She has served as a master teacher for California State University Northridge where she trained candidates for their credential program and mentored new teachers for the Los Angeles Unified School District. Denise is also the CEO of Calhoun Communications, a consulting firm that promotes effective communication within care communities.
Seung B. Lee, PhD
Board Member, Communicare
Seung B. Lee is a member of the board of directors for Communicare. He is an Assistant Professor of Education at Pepperdine University in the Graduate School of Education and Psychology. Seung's research focuses on collaborative learning, online interactions, socio-cognitive processes and creativity among K-12 students, particularly in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education context. His current work involves two studies funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
Seung holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from U.C. Berkeley, a master's degree in international affairs from Columbia University, and a Ph.D. in global leadership and change from Pepperdine University. His previous professional experiences include policy research and program management roles with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and nonprofit foundations in Korea and the U.S.
Linda Mac Dougall, MA
Board Member, Communicare
Linda Mac Dougall is a holistic health practitioner, author, speaker, trainer/educator, and massage therapist specializing in seniors and the disabled. She brings decades of experience working with our developmentally disabled and mentally ill to now serving an aging population. Observing and assessing attitudes, environments, and special needs is key in her work.
Linda's M.A. in Counseling Psychology increases the understanding of various challenges faced by maturing adults. She worked her way up from direct care worker to becoming an administrator of two group homes. Then came her time as a federal advocate for Hawaii’s developmentally disabled, where both she and Hawaii gained knowledge that served her clients well after she left.
Some of Linda's podcasts are on her website, www.loveyourlongevity.com, under the media tab. Recommendations for her book, “The SPIRIT Method of Massage for Seniors…Raising the Bar…A Primer for Massage Therapists and Caregivers”, are available on Amazon as well as on her website.
Sergio Melendez Oseguera
Communicare Volunteer
"Hello, my name is Sergio Melendez Oseguera. If I were to describe myself in three words, they would be: caring, generous, and kind. I first came across Communicare through my capstone project at California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI). It was the start of a journey and experience that I will never forget.
Before the workshop began, I had a general idea of what it would be about, as they had given me a rundown beforehand. Still, I felt a bit anxious, as it was a completely new experience for me. My role was to assist Denise, Seung, and the participants in any way possible, including setting up equipment, preparing computers, and providing support during the exercises. If participants needed help understanding the activities, I was there to clarify and guide them as best as I could.
The purpose of the workshop was to teach older adults how to use technology and to show them that it’s never too late to learn. Also, even though it’s important to express this, it is just as important to make learning enjoyable. Personally, I believe this workshop is a wonderful idea because it not only helps older adults become more confident in using technology but also empowers them to stay connected in today’s digital world."