caring Team

James Johnson is the Founder  of AgeWell Connections, a senior care navigation and advocacy organization dedicated to helping older adults and their families make informed decisions with confidence. His vision for AgeWell was built on a simple belief that every family deserves a trusted local expert to walk alongside them during life's most important transitions.

With more than a decade of leadership in senior living and healthcare, James has established himself as one of Eastern Idaho's leading senior care advocates. As a Licensed Residential Care Facility Administrator and Certified Dementia Care Practitioner (CDP), he brings extensive experience in senior housing, memory care, long-term care operations, healthcare coordination, and community partnerships. His career has been defined by helping families navigate complex healthcare systems while ensuring seniors receive compassionate, individualized care that preserves their dignity and quality of life.

In 2024, James founded AgeWell Connections to bridge the gap between families and the growing number of senior care resources available throughout Eastern Idaho. Under his leadership, AgeWell has become a trusted community resource, providing free guidance for assisted living, memory care, independent living, home health, hospice, personal care services, veteran resources, and aging-in-place solutions. Rather than simply recommending providers, James believes in educating families, advocating for their loved ones, and empowering them to make the best decisions based on their unique circumstances.

A lifelong Idaho Falls resident, James has built strong relationships with healthcare providers, senior living communities, physicians, case managers, social workers, and local organizations throughout the region. His deep understanding of Eastern Idaho's healthcare landscape allows him to connect families with resources that best fit their medical, financial, and personal needs.

Community service remains at the heart of everything James does. Through AgeWell Connections, he actively supports local nonprofits, senior-focused initiatives, educational outreach, and programs designed to improve the lives of older adults throughout Eastern Idaho. 

His leadership philosophy centers on integrity, compassion, transparency, and treating every client as if they were a member of his own family.

Outside of work, James enjoys spending time with his wife and children, camping, exploring Idaho's outdoors, riding his Harley-Davidson, and investing in the community he proudly calls home.

For James, AgeWell Connections is more than a business. It is a mission to ensure that every senior is treated with dignity, every family has someone they can trust, and no one has to navigate the aging journey alone.

Mike Beckstead is a seasoned and respected veteran in the local healthcare community. With

his commitment to the senior population in Eastern Idaho. Mike has propelled Visiting Angels

to become the largest private home care agency in Eastern Idaho and ranked in the top 100

agencies in the nation. He has spent the last 8 1/2 years as President of Visiting Angels, at

which time he and his partner sold the business. 

He has accomplished this with a highest level

of honesty, integrity, and love for providing extraordinary care to both employees and seniors

in our community.

Prior to Visiting Angels, Mr. Beckstead helped establish and directed the presence of Home

Helpers in Idaho Falls, an in-home personal care service company. Mike also served as

Community Relations Director for Parkwood Meadows Assisted Living Community.  Mike’s

career began as a sales executive for 22 years with companies including AT&T, Ecolab Inc., Gem

State Paper & Supply and Hanson’s Janitorial.

Mike is very active in numerous community service activities including board member of the

Alzheimer’s Association of Eastern Idaho, founder of Cause for Paws, the Great Race for

Education, the Chamber of Commerce as well as volunteering for the City of Refuge and the

Soup Kitchen. Mike has resided with his family in Idaho Falls for 30 years. With LaNae, Mike’s

wife (and better half) of 34 years, they have raised 3 daughters including a set of fraternal

twins. They now enjoy 2 rambunctious grand boys that keep them busy fishing and camping.

 Jason Atkinson is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) with over 15 years of professional experience assisting seniors and their families in navigating the complex decisions that come with aging and long-term care planning.

At AgeWell Connections, Jason specializes in senior living placements, helping families explore assisted living, memory care, and other supportive living options. He works closely with families to understand their needs, provide clear guidance on available care options, and help identify communities that are the right fit both medically and financially.

Jason believes that every senior deserves dignity, respect, and the opportunity to live in an environment that supports their well-being and independence. His experience, knowledge of senior care resources, and commitment to service allow him to provide families with trusted guidance during important transitions.

Jason is proud to be part of the AgeWell Connections team and is committed to continuing the organization’s mission of improving quality of life for seniors by connecting them with the right care and support.