Our Story
At ElderCare Ministries (ECM) we see the blatant discrimination many of our elders’ face. We recognize the unintended consequences of the way we have cared for the elderly in recent generations. We have caused many of them to feel that they are of no benefit to our society if they are not currently providing economic benefit. Nothing could be further from the truth. God wants us to revere Him by the way we respect our elderly.
Cliff & Caryn Tadema
ElderCare Ministries Cofounders
So many of our elderly feel lost, abandoned and without purpose. ECM wants to change the status quo and with your help and God’s blessing we can do it. The solution is to educate the public and activate those with the insight to recognize the need. You probably know someone currently impacted by this. A little help by a lot of people goes far to turn the tide and bring the respect, dignity and purpose we want our elderly people to experience.
Cliff Tadema
Cliff was born in Lupwe, Nigeria, the son of missionary parents. The first 20 years of his working life were spent in business, primarily the financial sector. He was a Certified Financial Planner, Investment Advisor and licensed in insurance, real estate and securities. As an entrepreneur he started a Financial Planning Company and a Venture Capital Firm.
In 1983 Cliff changed focus and became a pastor of Christ The King Church in Anacortes, WA. Cliff has now pastored churches from 50 people to
well over 1000. He trained pastors and chaplains and was the National Director of Pastors for an evangelical non-denominational network of churches.
Cliff is the author of The Prayer Adventure, a prayer devotional and journal.
Caryn Tadema
Caryn has decades of experience working with and advocating for the elderly. In 1984 she began working at one of the nation’s first assisted living communities in Oregon. She cleaned apartments, taught aerobics, called bingo, served meals and gave community tours. She became the Director of Community Relations at an Assisted Living & Memory Care Community in Sherwood, Oregon and served as Director of Sales & Marketing and then Regional Sales Director at a large senior living management company in Oregon.
Caryn’s concern for the elderly led her to starting her own company, helping people make the transition from living independently to living with assistance. She partnered with hospital discharge planners, adult family homes, skilled nursing facilities, assisted care and independent living communities.
Caryn has a degree in Gerontology, (the study of aging). She is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist and a Certified Senior Advisor. She teaches seminars for the elderly on downsizing, avoiding scams aimed at seniors and understanding care options available to seniors. She has trained staff to deal with people with dementia, respectfully interacting with the elderly and understanding the effects of aging. She is passionate about promoting respect dignity and purpose for our elderly.
Caryn currently serves as Community Relations Director for Care Partners Senior Living. She works primarily with their properties in Northwest Washington.
