Beacon Patient Solutions LLC helps clients tackle the challenges of navigating today’s complex healthcare system by empowering our clients to become educated and confident health care consumers. We offer professional compassionate guidance to navigate complex systems.

Our assistance helps you acquire the resources and facts to make informed decisions that reflect your personal values.

About Ailene Gerhardt, Founder, Beacon Patient Solutions LLC and the Navigating Solo Network, Independent Board Certified Patient Advocate, National Authority on Solo Aging, Solo Aging Educator, and Advocate, Certified Senior Advisor ®

After growing up in South Florida, Ailene moved to Massachusetts to attend college. In the years that followed, Ailene received her undergraduate degree from Clark University and her master’s degree from Brandeis University.

While enjoying a successful 17-year career as a human services professional advocating for the needs of students, faculty and staff on college campuses, Ailene’s mother became gravely ill. She experienced first-hand how draining and challenging navigating the intricacies of the health care system can be while actively supporting a loved one experiencing a healthcare crisis. The experience as her family member’s primary health advocate led Ailene to a career change and her calling as a private patient advocate.

Ailene completed her Certificate in Consumer Health Advocacy at the University of Wisconsin’s Center for Patient Partnerships in August 2017, earned her Patient Advocacy Board Certification credentials in April 2018, and recertified in December 2021. To further her knowledge, Ailene earned her Certified Senior Advisor credential in April 2023.

As Ailene’s advocacy practice has evolved, she has developed a specialty working with solo agers (an adult 55+ who, because of choice or circumstance, is without the support of adult children or close family members). In the fall of 2021 she launched the Navigating Solo Network: The Path to Dynamic Solo Aging Starts Here™ which includes a national website, a growing network of members, and an online clearinghouse featuring resources specifically for Solo Agers.

In the summer of 2021, Ailene convened Pros Working with Solo Agers, a national multi-disciplinary group of professionals whose work has a focus on Solo Agers. The multi-disciplinary group meets monthly and tackles issues facing solo agers.

Ailene is a sought after local and national speaker and has offered over 120 community education talks and classes since Spring 2018.

In addition to her groundbreaking work with Solo Agers, Ailene recently completed her services as Vice President of the NAHAC Board of Directors. In recent years, her strategic thinking and technical skills have supported NAHAC in its work with the Coalition of Health Care Advocacy Organization (CHCAO) and the building of the newly revised NAHAC website. Ailene currently serves on the Steering Committee of the Massachusetts Health Care Advocates (MAHCA).

In September 2023, Ailene was honored with the 2023 Independent Advocate of the Year award at the 2023 Healthcare Advocate Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana.