Meet the Owner

Kristen (Ditman) Zihmer, Owner and Founder of Windchimes LLC, is deeply passionate about guiding seniors and their families through life’s next steps. Her warmth, empathy, and extensive knowledge of the senior healthcare and retirement industry make her a trusted and compassionate advocate for older adults across the greater community.

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Kristen holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Salisbury University and is a nationally recognized Certified Senior Advisor. She also earned a Senior Living Counselor Certificate, designated by Argentum—the leading national trade association for senior living communities in the U.S. To further widen her scope of expertise within this advancing field, Kristen received her Certificate on Aging from Johns Hopkins University.

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A seasoned professional with over 18 years of experience, Kristen understands the emotional and logistical challenges that come with navigating senior living options. In addition to working with hundreds of families throughout her career, she has personally helped relocate both sets of her grandparents—one to a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) and the other to a rental assisted living community.

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Kristen’s professional background includes leadership roles across independent and assisted living communities, specialized memory care neighborhoods, post-surgical rehabilitation centers, long-term care facilities, and hospice care. This depth of experience gives her a unique understanding of the services each organization offers and how they can best serve the needs of seniors and their loved ones.

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A lifelong Carroll County resident, Kristen's family roots in the area date back to the 1800s. She currently lives in Westminster with her husband and their two beautiful children.​