About Vital Aging NYC

Guidance You Can Trust. Support You Can Feel.

committing to excellence

Let’s Create a Plan for Aging Well – Together

Compassionate Guidance for the Journey Ahead

Aging brings questions, changes, and decisions—and no one should have to navigate them alone. At Vital Aging NYC, we walk alongside older adults and their families with clear guidance, responsive care, and the kind of presence that makes all the difference.

Whether you’re planning ahead, advocating for a loved one, or overwhelmed by the weight of daily caregiving, we bring calm, clarity, and continuity to what can often feel like chaos.

Our Philosophy

We believe aging well isn’t just about managing care. It’s about making informed choices, honoring each person’s autonomy, and ensuring no one slips through the cracks of a complicated system.
Our goal is simple but powerful: to help people age with dignity, safety, and connection—while ensuring families feel supported and confident, no matter where they are.

What Makes Vital Aging NYC Different?

At Vital Aging NYC, we offer much more than logistics or referrals. We bring together advanced knowledge of aging, local insight, and a relationship-centered approach that keeps your loved one—and your family’s values—at the heart of every decision.

Our Story

Meet the Founder
Dr. Danielle von Liel, PhD, LMSW

If we’re lucky, we’ll all give and receive care in this lifetime

Vital Aging NYC was born not just from my training, but from my own experience as a caregiver.

Watching my grandfather live with Alzheimer’s and supporting my grandmother through dementia shaped the course of my life. I’ve walked beside aging parents. I’ve felt the stress of big decisions, short timelines, and scattered systems. I know what it’s like to wonder, “What now?”

That personal path led me to a professional one focused on helping others through the same.

My Background
That’s why I’ve dedicated my career to helping families like yours. I studied cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and public health at the University of California, Irvine, with the goal of understanding Alzheimer’s disease. Motivated by a deep interest in cognition and memory, I spent time in labs studying neuroplasticity while working as a Behavioral Therapist for children with developmental disabilities.

Frustrated by the systemic barriers families faced in accessing appropriate services, I pursued a Master’s in Social Work at NYU to influence the policies and practices affecting my clients. I began as a family therapist and later transitioned to social work with older adults. My work has spanned the lifespan, but my heart has always been with those navigating the later seasons of life.

I’m committed to researching policies and programs that promote dignity and quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias—while supporting their caregivers. I’m uniquely equipped to bridge research and real-world care, turning evidence into meaningful solutions for the families I support.

With a PhD in Social Work from Fordham University and extensive research in gerontology and long-distance caregiving, I bring both academic and real-world expertise to my practice. As a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with over 15 years of experience, I specialize in:
– Geriatric care management & advocacy
– Dementia and Alzheimer’s care planning
– Long-distance caregiving coordination
– Medical systems navigation & appointment accompaniment
– Navigating benefits and long-term care options
– Emotional support for caregivers
– Transitions to formal care (assisted living, memory care, etc.)

My Commitment to You
I believe that access to compassionate, intelligent elder care isn’t a luxury. It’s a basic human right.

Everyone deserves to age with dignity. Everyone deserves a guide who knows the system and sees the person. And families deserve to feel like they’re not doing this alone.

It’s an honor to do this work. I’m here to help—whenever you’re ready.

Research and Publications

You can learn more about Dr. Danielle von Liel’s research through her Research Gate profile.

You’re not alone

Let’s start a conversation.

You don’t have to figure it out all at once. Whether you’re planning ahead or responding to something urgent, we’re here to help you make the next step.

Scroll to Top