COPE Eldercare was established in 2004 by Laurie Ray, CMSW, C-ASWCM in an effort to bring compassionate geriatric care management services to seniors and their families in Wake County and Eastern Chatham County. Upon recognizing the unmet need of access to services COPE Eldercare set out to fill the void by providing affordable care management services to all seniors regardless of any financial limitations.

With over 15 years experience in the field of Social Work Laurie's background includes extensive work in retirement communities and in hospice care where she provided end of life support to patients of all ages in a variety of settings. Laurie has spent several years supporting seniors and their families as they encounter the challenges of aging.

Laurie has provided Caregiver and Bereavement support groups as well as a variety of presentations on topics such as Advance Care Planning, Caregiving, Advance Directives, End of Life Care, and a series of educational in-services for staff on Death and Dying. Laurie is an Eden Alternative Associate and has implemented and coordinated the inclusion of plants, children, and animals into the lives of residents of a nursing home. She also provides training and certification in Pet Therapy through COPE Enrichment.

She has provided Animal-Assisted Activities/Therapy in hospitals, adult day care, and several nursing home settings. Laurie's educational background includes undergraduate degrees in Business Management, Social Work, and a Masters in Social Work from Boston University. She is recognized by the Social Work Certification and Licensure Board of North Carolina as a Certified Master Social Worker (CMSW). Laurie recently earned an important and valuable designation through the National Association of Social Workers as a Certified-Advanced Social Work Case Manager (C-ASWCM).  She has earned the Certificate in Nonprofit management from Duke and the Certificate in Aging from Boston University. Laurie provides field education for BSW and MSW students for, local universities.

Memberships include:
Member of Resources for Seniors Board of Directors
Member of Meredith College Social work Advisory Board
National Association of Social Workers
National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers
Therapy Dogs, Inc.

Board of Directors
JoAnn Pfirman - Chairperson
Jay Hamre - Treasurer
Tom Arnold
Bernard Bennett, MD
Trudy Croxton
Tom Ford
DeeDee Harris, BSW
Michelle Hudson, RN
Laurie Ray, CMSW, C-ASWCM
Brigitte Specht

Advisory Committee
Frank Hielema, LPT
Walt Sheffield, III, JD, CLU, CFP
Martha Grove Hipskind
Lisa Jones, C.S.A. - Treasurer
Jerry Stanley

Staff
Laurie Ray, MSW, CMSW, Director
Betsy Phillips

Student Interns
Emily Harris, Meredith College

Volunteers
Dorothy Broughton
Greer Dillard
Barbara Harvey
Greta Modlin
Ashley Serrone
Emily Smith
Sholanda Thomas