About San Diego Senior Resource Navigator
Founder, San Diego Senior Resource Navigator
Aging is never just medical. It’s emotional, logistical, relational, and often overwhelming — especially when families are forced to make high-stakes decisions quickly and with little guidance.
I’m Kara Winship, MSW, an independent senior care navigator and social worker with over 22 years of clinical experience supporting older adults and their families through some of life’s most complex transitions. My background spans hospice, home health, medical social work, care coordination, and family advocacy, where I’ve worked closely with physicians, nurses, case managers, facilities, and community providers throughout San Diego County.
Over the years, I repeatedly witnessed the same painful pattern: families doing their best, yet struggling to understand care options, benefits, placement decisions, and system barriers — often while exhausted, scared, or in crisis. Seniors fell through the cracks not because they lacked love, but because the system is fragmented, confusing, and unforgiving.
San Diego Senior Resource Navigator was created to change that.
My Role
I provide non-medical, consultative senior care navigation and advocacy.
That means I do not provide hands-on caregiving or medical treatment — instead, I help families slow things down, understand realistic options, and make informed decisions with clarity and confidence.
My work includes:
• Senior care navigation and planning
• Assisted living and memory care guidance
• Aging-in-place safety assessments
• Medicare, Medi-Cal, IHSS, and VA benefit education
• Hospice and palliative care education
• Family coaching and crisis support
• Ongoing care management and local oversight
I often work with families who are:
• Facing memory loss, frequent falls, or hospitalizations
• Burned out from caregiving
• Unsure whether it’s safe to remain at home
• Overwhelmed by placement decisions
• Living out of town and worried about a loved one’s safety
Meet Kara
My Approach
My approach is direct, compassionate, and practical.
I believe families deserve:
• Clear explanations — not jargon
• Honest guidance — not false reassurance
• Realistic plans — not idealized solutions that won’t hold up in real life
I bring a social work lens to aging: understanding not just diagnoses, but family dynamics, caregiver stress, financial pressures, cultural values, and emotional readiness. I act as a steady, experienced presence — helping families move from panic and confusion toward clarity and direction.
When appropriate, I collaborate with care teams and facilities to support smoother transitions and better outcomes for everyone involved.
22+
Years Experience
100+
Families Helped
1:1
Personalized Guidance
Why Families Work With San Diego Senior Resource Navigator
Families choose to work with me because I offer:
- Deep clinical experience without rushing or dismissing concerns
- True independence — I am not owned by a facility or care agency
- Advocacy — I work for the senior and family, not the system
- Local knowledge of San Diego resources, barriers, and realities
- Calm leadership during moments that feel chaotic or urgent
My goal is simple:
to help seniors age with dignity and help families navigate aging confidently, not fearfully.
Independent Advocacy
Unbiased guidance focused solely on your family’s needs.
Local Expertise
Deep knowledge of San Diego’s senior care resources.
Personalized Support
Every family receives a tailored care roadmap.
Compassionate Care
Guidance delivered with empathy and respect.
★★★★★
“Kara’s expertise and compassion made all the difference for our family during a difficult time. Her guidance gave us clarity and peace of mind.”
J.S.
Daughter & Family Caregiver
San Diego
Ready to Get Started?
Let’s Start With a Conversation
Every family’s situation is different. The best place to begin is a brief introductory call so I can understand what’s going on and recommend next steps.
San Diego Senior Resource Navigator exists so you don’t have to face aging decisions alone — and so no senior disappears into the cracks of the system.