About Us
Meet Ruth Cohen, MSW, LCSW
Ruth has over 40 years of experience and is a content expert in elders and their families, caregiving and geriatric care management.
She regularly consults with attorneys, financial planners, care providers and independent living facilities on issues related to the older client or resident. She is a sought-after speaker and a licensed clinical social worker.
Ruth is a Past President of the then- named National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers (now the Aging Life Care Association). She has served on numerous Boards and has had adjunct faculty positions at Portland Community College and Clackamas Community College. Currently, she is an active community volunteer and serves on the Mother Board of Crones Counsel, Inc.
503-701-2184
Meet Jerry Cohen, JD, MPA
Jerry Cohen has joined his spouse Ruth as a partner in Evolving Elders, dedicated to addressing the opportunities and transitions as we age. He moved to Oregon in 1996 from Kansas City to establish one of AARP’s first state offices. He served as AARP’s State Director in Oregon for 23 years, working with local, state and national staff, volunteers, members and businesses and community organizations. He is a certified trainer of the AARP Direct Action Organizing program through the Midwest Academy approach to advocacy.
He previously managed legislative and regulatory advocacy and supported volunteers for AARP in a five state region in the Midwest. Past career positions have included working for: University of Missouri-Kansas City where he headed a nationally-funded research and training center on aging and intellectual challenges while also teaching and engaging on applied research projects as well as self-advocacy by adults with intellectual challenges; Legal Aid of Western MO, where he established a volunteer attorney program with the Kansas City Bar Association; and the Missouri Division of Aging, where he served as the State’s first Legal Services Developer under the Older Americans Act. He also was active with the Midwest Bioethics Center (now the Center for practical Ethics) in Kansas City with a focus on advance planning.
Jerry has been a member of numerous local, State and national Legislative and Executive branch established Task Forces and Advisory Committees addressing issues of protective and supportive services, home & community-based care, adult abuse and exploitation, advance directives and surrogate decision making. He currently is active with the Oregon WINGS project under the Oregon Judicial Department providing training on guardianship and alternatives via advance planning. He also is a volunteer with Social Venture Partners PDX. He is a past-chair of Congregation Shir Tikvah’s board.
Jerry recently received an inaugural "16 over 61" award from the Wechsler Center for Modern Aging.
971-335-7417