We Believe No Family Should Navigate a Care Crisis Alone.
The healthcare system is complex, confusing, and not built for families in crisis. We are. The Care Steward was founded to be the expert, unbiased advocate every family deserves in their most difficult moments.
Our Story
It all started with a phone call at 10:47 PM. A friend of a friend was in a panic, trying to move a ventilator-dependent loved one 400 miles. They were facing a wall of red tape, terrifying costs, and impossible choices.
That night, our founder, Sudhir Gautam, became an impromptu crisis navigator. He spent hours wrestling with insurance companies, hospital administrators, and transport logistics—all the chaotic, overwhelming tasks that get dropped on a family when they are at their most vulnerable.
He saw firsthand that the problem wasn't a lack of information, but a lack of expert, compassionate guidance. Families weren't just lost; they were alone.
The Care Steward was born from that experience with a single, guiding mission: to be the calm, expert, and relentlessly dedicated advocate we wish that family had that night.
"There are only four kinds of people in the world: those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers and those who will need caregivers."— Rosalynn Carter, Former First Lady
Our Approach: Your Unbiased Advocate
100% Unbiased Advice
Our only customer is you, the family. We work on a simple fee-for-service basis and never accept referral fees, commissions, or kickbacks.
World-Class Human Expertise
Every Care Steward is a credentialed professional—typically an Aging Life Care Manager™, Registered Nurse, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or a Discharge Planner—with over a decade of experience.
Tech-Powered Efficiency
We arm our experts with a decision-support platform that turns hours of research into minutes. This allows our team to focus on what matters most: listening to you and crafting the perfect plan for your family.
Meet Our Founder
Sudhir Gautam, Founder & Chief Steward
With a background that includes serving as a state-certified long-term care ombudsman and years of volunteering in hospice and assisted living, my mission with The Care Steward is deeply personal. I have advocated for residents' rights from inside the system and have seen the fear and confusion in the eyes of families trying to do the right thing in a system that isn't built for them.
As a technologist and entrepreneur, my goal is to combine that hands-on experience with technology, empathy, and expert knowledge to give every family the clarity and confidence they deserve. The 10:47 PM phone call that started this company wasn't just a random event; it was the moment all of my experience came into focus on solving this one critical problem.
Meet The Stewards
Ellen Waldman
M.A., CMC, Certified Aging Life Care Manager™
Ellen is Care Manager Certified as an advanced professional member of the Aging Life Care™ Association. She has been providing consultation, care management, and advocacy services to older adults and their families since 2000. Ellen is also an educator, and presents at seminars, professional conferences, and other speaking venues. She is a guide through all aspects of the terrain of aging, including legal, financial, medical, housing, family dynamics and end-of-life. She has extensive training in addressing the special needs of those diagnosed with Alzheimer's and other related dementias.
Allyson Stanton
LBSW, Certified Aging Life Care Manager™
Allyson Stanton, LBSW, ALCP, is an Aging Life Care™ Professional with over 25 years of experience dedicated to supporting the elderly and their families through critical life transitions. A passionate advocate who ensures her clients have a voice, Allyson expertly guides families through the complex healthcare system, leveraging extensive real-world experience from nursing homes, rehab centers, and hospitals to find solutions that meet their unique goals. Her expertise is recognized through numerous accolades, including the 2018 Maryland Gerontological Association Award and a gubernatorial appointment to the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners. She also volunteers as a support group facilitator for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Jerrye Wright
RN, Certified Aging Life Care Manager™
Jerrye’s passion for promoting healthy aging spans more than four decades. Her journey began as a caregiver and later evolved into her career as a Registered Nurse, a role she has held for over 40 years. The turning point for Jerrye came during the final six years of her mother’s life, when she took on the responsibility of caring for her. This experience profoundly influenced her path, leading her to dedicate herself to Senior Care management. While caring for her mother, Jerrye faced the stressful challenge of managing the complexities of the medical system on her mother’s behalf, all while maintaining her own professional commitments. The experience proved to be more demanding than she had anticipated, shaping her understanding and approach to senior care. Jerrye considers it both an honor and a privilege to support families and clients as they work toward the best possible outcomes in times of crisis. She is dedicated to assisting others through the stressful journey of senior care, helping them find solutions and peace of mind during difficult moments.
More Elite Experts
Certified Aging Life Care Manager™
Coming soon...
Our Vetting Process
Every Care Steward is a credentialed professional with a minimum of 10 years of experience. We are currently onboarding a small, select group of experts who meet Ellen's standard of excellence and share our commitment to providing compassionate, practical guidance to families in crisis.
Ready to Get Help?
If your family is facing a crisis, you don't have to do it alone. Let us be your guide.
Book Your Crisis Consultation Now