Sue Grossinger, Senior Services Coordinator
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital

Medicare 101: Whether you are just going on to Medicare for the first time or have been on Medicare for a while, understanding your coverage and benefits can be overwhelming. It is very important to know what plans are available to choose from when reviewing your coverage. Come learn to be a smart and educated consumer so you will always feel you are in control and know how to access your healthcare in the way that is best for you!

Susan Grossinger has worked with older adults and their families for over 30 years in several different capacities including case management, community program coordination and training, senior services coordination and Medicare/SHIP counseling.

She has been at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital for over 22 years as the Senior Services Coordinator. Her duties include providing resource information and assistance to older adults and their caregivers, Medicare navigation as a Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) counselor for the last 18 years and coordinating the Matter of Balance fall prevention program as a master trainer. She also represents the hospital out in the community through educational programs and volunteering on organizations’ board of directors.

Michael A. Iwanicki, Superintendent
Veterans Assistance Commission of McHenry County

Join Michael Iwanicki to learn about veterans benefits available to veterans and their families. Attendees will learn about eligibility, how to apply, and about benefits available for future needs.

Michael joined the US Navy in September 1980 and became an Electricians Mate. Mike served aboard the USS Elliot DD-967 where he earned the rate of EM1(SW) and was later Honorably discharged from the Navy in 1986.

Mr. Iwanicki was hired by the Commission in 1998 as a Veterans Service Officer and was selected as the Superintendent in 2003. He is recognized by the VA General Counsel to present and prosecute claims on behalf of veterans or eligible family members. He is a Service Organization Representative for the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, The American Legion, and the VFW.

Under his direction, the VAC Office went from a two-person office prosecuting an average of 50 claims annually to an office of five presenting over 400 claim packets annually. Michael also served as the President of the Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions and President of the Illinois Association of County Officials.

Jackie Luthringshausen, Estate Planning Attorney
Lavelle Law, Ltd. and
Kate Krallitsch, NCG, Director of Operations
Care Navigators Inc.

This presentation will cover the essentials of Powers of Attorney (POA), highlighting their role as vital legal tools that allow a trusted agent to manage financial, healthcare, or personal decisions if someone becomes incapacitated. It will outline the steps to implement a POA, including selecting an agent, defining authority, and ensuring legal execution, while emphasizing the importance of clarity to prevent disputes.

The session will also discuss when to engage a Geriatric Care Manager for complex care coordination or advocacy, particularly for aging individuals, concluding with a Q&A to address planning concerns.

Jackie Luthringshausen is an attorney at Lavelle Law in Schaumburg, focusing on estate planning, trusts, estate administration, and elder law. With over nine years of experience, she helps clients protect themselves and their families. A Palatine native, she graduated magna cum laude from Notre Dame and cum laude from DePaul University College of Law. Jackie serves on the board of the Palatine Township Senior Center and volunteers with Lavelle Law Charities’ food drive.

Kate Krallitsch is the Director of Operations at Care Navigators, Inc., with over 20 years of experience in banking and operations. A Roosevelt University graduate in Human Resources, she manages business operations, intake calls, invoicing, and supports care managers. Kate is a certified guardian and handles financial records for guardianship and power of attorney clients, coordinating closely with attorneys for court matters.

Carol Brandt, CLTC®, President
Brandt Financial Concepts, Inc.

Much like trekking through a real jungle without a compass or a guide, the terrain of long-term care planning when a crisis strikes a family can be filled with hidden pitfalls and vines of misinformation if we’re not prepared. The good news is we don’t have to navigate the jungle alone – that’s where Carol Brandt comes in.

Carol, founder of Brandt Financial Concepts, Inc. has spent decades helping families and professionals, untangle the landscape of long-term care planning to be prepared before a crisis. Carol likes keeping things simple - “It’s not that difficult to be ready so we don’t have to get ready”. As a Certified Long-Term Care professional, Carol has become known as the “Queen of Long-Term Care Planning” with a mission and passion to make a difference in the lives of people she helps, one family at a time.

Agnes Lizak
Community Outreach Liaison
Office of the Illinois Attorney General

Everyday actions can leave anyone open to identity theft. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office will present tips to prevent identity theft and ways to restore your financial profile if it happens to you.
Learn to:
• Recognize common scams and their many variations
• Set up fraud alerts, security freezes, and opt-outs
• Report scams and manage the situation

Agnieszka Lizak is a Community Outreach Liaison from the Office of the Illinois Attorney General. The mission of the outreach program is to promote the Office’s initiatives and resources to reach, inform and assist all Illinois residents.?

One key focus area is to bring awareness about consumer fraud and scams to different audiences and organizations. Also, as a native Polish speaker, Agnes connects directly with the Polish community in the Chicagoland area, sharing information in that language and in English.

Agnes has delivered presentations and shared information at fairs and events on behalf of Attorney General Kwame Raoul since early in 2022.

Kelly Belmonte
Memory Care Advisor
Arden Courts ProMedica Memory Care

Attendees will learn how to prepare for future needs including change in cognition, physical abilities, and why it's imperative to learn about all aspects of aging.

Kelly Belmonte has been working with older adults for 20 years and in Memory Care specific settings since 2009. She began her career in resident engagement where she planned and facilitated purposeful programs for residents and their families. She then moved into marketing roles which expanded her audiences, afforded opportunities to build enduring partnerships within the communities she served and amongst healthcare partners. Today, she is humbled by the trust families extend to her in her role as a Memory Care Advisor with Arden Courts.

Kerry Peck, Managing Partner & Elder Law Attorney
Peck Ritchey, LLC

Learn about the legal documents required to protect you and your family including Power of Attorney (POA) for Healthcare and Property, Wills, Advance Directives, Trusts and more.

Kerry R. Peck is the managing partner of Peck Ritchey. He is the past President of the 22,000 lawyer Chicago Bar Association. His clients have included families, hospitals, banks, the State of Illinois, County of Cook, and City of Chicago. Since 2006, he has been selected by his peers in statewide surveys of Illinois attorneys as a “Super Lawyer”, an attorney to whom other attorneys would refer their family, and he was named a member of the Leading Lawyers Network.

Mr. Peck is the recipient of the 2014 Justice John Paul Stevens Award, the Chicago Bar Association’s highest honor. He was also selected by IIT Chicago-Kent College of Law as one of their 125 Alumni of Distinction. In 2021, Mr. Peck was appointed Chair of the Illinois Supreme Court Commission on Elder Justice. Mr. Peck was retained by the City of Chicago Department of Aging to rewrite the State of Illinois Elder Abuse and Neglect Act.

Mr. Peck is the co-author of Alzheimer’s and the Law and Don’t Let Dementia Steal Everything, both published by the American Bar Association.

Kerry Peck has been appointed Guardian Ad Litem in the Circuit Court by the Probate Division, Chancery Division and County Division, involving complex cases including health care, tax issues, real estate and medical issues. Mr. Peck has been appointed Special Administrator, Successor Administrator and/or Successor Trustee in contested trust and estate cases all by Court order.

Tony LaPalio, Founder/CEO
Senior Tech Support
This engaging session will introduce you to the world of smart home devices and digital tools that make everyday life easier—from motion-activated lighting that prevents falls to voice-controlled assistants like Alexa that can help with reminders, security, and even turning off the lights.

You’ll discover how technology can support:
• Safety: Devices that alert family members if something goes wrong, from falls to floods
• Peace of mind: Monitoring tools that help loved ones stay connected and informed
• Comfort and convenience: Smart thermostats, lights, blinds, and appliances that respond to your voice or daily routine

Whether you’re already using some tech or feel unsure where to begin, this presentation is designed to meet you where you are with real examples, simple explanations, and plenty of time for questions. Learn how technology can quietly support your independence without complicating your life.

You’ll leave with practical tips, product suggestions, and a whole new perspective on how your home can work with you as you age. Don’t miss this opportunity to future-proof your home and your peace of mind!

With over 20 years of experience in technology training, management, and education, Tony has worked with Samsung, iRobot, Meta, and TiVo, where he designed, built, deployed, operationalized, and scaled international training teams. His passion for helping older adults thrive in a digital world stem from firsthand experience seeing the challenges they face in staying connected. Senior Tech Support was built to bridge this gap with expert, compassionate guidance, empowering seniors to embrace technology with confidence.

Mario Tucker
Managing Director | Private Home Care

Choosing the right caregiver is about more than availability, it’s about connection,
compatibility, and ongoing support. In this presentation, Mario Tucker, Director of Client Services at Private Home Care, will share a behind-the-scenes look at what makes a great caregiver-client match. From understanding a client’s lifestyle and values to selecting caregivers with the right temperament and training, Mario will walk through the thoughtful process that leads to lasting, successful placements.
He’ll also explore the critical role care management plays after the match, including how communication, oversight, and relationship-building help ensure safety, consistency, and peace of mind for families. Whether you're a professional in the industry or navigating care for a loved one, this session offers practical takeaways for making caregiving work better—for everyone involved.

Mario Tucker is a healthcare operations leader with over 10 years of experience in optimizing home care services. As Managing Director at Private Home Care, he leads teams focused on caregiver training, client onboarding, and tech-enabled care. Known for blending strategy with compassion, Mario has launched programs like Skills Lab and virtual wellness check-ins to improve care quality and satisfaction. He’s passionate about building adaptable, client-centered care models and brings practical insights on caregiver selection and operations to the expo.

Chris Petrik, RN, BS DCC-CI
Director of Education, Elderwerks

Chris Petrik presents a fun presentation on the best form of expression. She will discuss the differences between laughter and humor, the psychological and physical benefits laughter provides, and give some examples of laughter exercise and therapy.

Chris has been in the healthcare field for over 30 years, with last 10 years in gerontology as a nurse educator. She has been part of a local community college health career advisory board and in health education for over 20 years.? She was the manager of training and development for Friendship Senior Options for 5 years and worked closely with performance improvement, quality assurance and risk management, along with collaboration in the skilled area.

Chris joined Elderwerks in 2020 to help professionals in the aging field understand how to work with the aging population, improve knowledge about dementia, and help improve care.

Kelsey Haddad
Area Director of Business Development
Sunrise Senior Living

Discover how to embrace the aging journey with confidence, vitality and joy. This presentation offers practical tips on staying healthy, connected, and purposeful- proving that growing older can be one of the most rewarding chapters of life.

Kelsey Haddad has over 10 years of senior experience including caregiving, senior living, memory care and hospice, Kelsey Haddad is passionate about helping older adults and their families navigate each chapter of aging. Known for building strong relationships and delivering personalized solutions, she has created many meaningful connections and collected numerous resources to help those in need.

Raymond Catala
IT Professional
VivaValet

VivaValet’s Tech Pro, Ray Catala, will walk guests through real-life ways AI and smart devices are making life easier for older adults—from simplifying daily tasks to staying connected with loved ones. Attendees will get hands-on exposure to user-friendly tools they can try on site and leave with practical tips to bring smarter living into their everyday routines.

Raymond Catala is the owner of DigiTeam Technology Services, a Chicagoland technology and computer repair provider. Ray is an experienced IT professional with extensive experience in corporate, government, nonprofit, and entrepreneurship. His specialized technology experience includes diagnostics and repairs for desktops, laptops, phones, tablets, Wi-Fi, printers, smart TVs, and much more. Ray believes technology should help make our lives easier and spends his time teaching clients how to best use their technology at home. When Ray isn’t fixing computers, he volunteers his time at local colleges and universities providing guest lectures for students who are pursuing careers in technology and computer repair.