Paula Basta, M.Div., Director of the Illinois Department on Aging will open up the Expo regarding aging in Illinois.

Paula Basta was appointed Director of the Illinois Department on Aging (IDoA) in March of 2019, becoming the 13th director, and seventh woman to lead the agency. As a lifelong advocate for the care and treatment of senior citizens, Paula brings her institutional knowledge of senior services, policy, and social justice to lead the Illinois Department on Aging.

Paula has over 40 years of experience working with Older Adults. The first 20 years of Paula’s career was spent in the field of Aging for not-for-profit organizations such as Housing Opportunities and Maintenance for the Elderly (H.O.M.E.). While at H.O.M.E, Paula was named Executive Director following the retirement of its founders and remained in that role for five years before embarking on a 20-year career in Government.

Kerry Peck, Managing Partner at Peck Ritchey, LLC, will discuss what happens when someone doesn't put all the necessary legal documents in order to protect their healthcare decisions and the finances. Families need to know their legal options before a crisis occurs, and if no legal documents are in place what the next steps would be.

Carrie Espinosa, Advisor - Broker - Advocate
Horizon Benefit Services

Health care planning is a key component to a solid financial plan. As you are nearing retirement there are steps you can take to position yourself for success in your next chapter. Carrie Espinosa has decades of experience helping her clients navigate their health insurance and health care.  Pre-retirees increasingly cite the cost of health care as their top financial concern and appropriately so. During this interactive session Carrie will share cost information and helpful strategies to plan for your healthcare costs in retirement.

Sue Grossinger, Senior Services Coordinator & SHIP Counselor
Advocate Aurora Good Shepherd Hospital

Concerns about falling is a wide spread concern in healthcare and for all of us in the community. People over the age of 55 represent over 50% of trauma fall related visits to the ER. Learn the many ways you can lower your fall risk through understanding what risky behaviors, biological and environmental factors are putting you at risk and how easy it can be to change them so you can continue to live an independent, high-quality of life!

Robin Ross, Culinary Leader at Kraft Heinz Company
12:40 to 1:10 pm

Robin will give a brief overview about how to use a Instant Pot for those who may not be familiar with the appliance and would like to learn more about how it works. Then she will be demonstrating how to make Turkey Chili using the Instant Pot.

Kathryn Casey, Certified Elder Law Attorney and Partner
Dutton Casey & Mesoloras P.C.
When you are diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, not only do you need to prepare medically, you need to prepare legally and financially. Besides having the proper estate planning documents, you need to know what legal options are available in planning and paying for long-term care. That Medicare will pay for everything is a myth. This session, presented by a certified elder law attorney, will focus on the limitations of Medicare and how Medicaid, long-term care insurance, and personal care contracts can be used to maximize you and your loved one’s quality of life. Bring your questions.

Mary Ellen Heelan, Neurologic Music Therapist, President and Owner
Heelan Music (Mary Ellen is also a Music Therapist with Transitions Palliative & Hospice)

Do you want to have some fun? Just like the hit TV Show Name That Tune, Mary Ellen Heelan will be hosting this fun, interactive game of music from the decades. Prizes will be awarded to top performers. We will set up teams from the participating audience.

Alan Press JD, CPA, Partner
Caren Naidoff, E.I., Partner
Shire Law Group, PC

This presentation, by attorneys Alan Press and Caren Naidoff, explore the importance of planning early for long term care, including a discussion on the difference between Medicare and Medicaid.

Dr. Shane Creado, MD
Amen Clinics

Join Dr. Shane Creado from Amen Clinics Chicago talking about "How to Keep Your Memory Sharp at Any Age." This presentation will give you some simple, practical techniques to keep your brain healthy and your memory intact.

Jacqueline Boyd, BA, BS, CGCM, Owner
The Care Plan

As more seniors are aging out and proud, they are accessing health and senior services at increasing numbers.  How do we welcome and create safe environments for LGBTQ+ seniors?  What are best practices for affirming language and effective communication? In this workshop we'll focus on the latest strategies for communicating with and caring for LGBTQ+ patients and clients. Join to learn and gain ideas to incorporate at your organization or in your clinical practice.

Grab a chair and join John Abromowicz, Certified Senior Exercise Specialist from Destination Fitness at 12:40 pm for a fun 1/2 hour seated and standing exercise routine that can be done in your home! As you grow older, leading an active lifestyle is more important than ever. Regular exercise helps seniors maintain health, boost energy, and improve confidence. Our Senior Fitness Specialists and Exercise Therapists help create a safe, yet effective exercise routine to help with balance, flexibility, coordination and agility. We teach functional training to help strengthen the muscles used in daily activity. Whether it’s helping recover from a fall or surgery, or keeping you strong so you can experience life to its fullest! Our Senior Fitness Specialists will not only help with exercise but will also give advice on safety in the home to prevent falls and to help make daily living a breeze! www.destinedtobefit.com or 847-370-3011

Jim Whittington, Business Development
Lifeway Mobility Chicago

Jim will help you to identify challenges and safety risks in your home and teach you possible solutions to overcome those risks.

Katie Monahan-Brooks, Manager Business Development
Transitions Palliative & Hospice

Do you know which song gave Elvis Presley his first US No.1 of the 60's? Or how many weeks Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge over Troubled Water stayed on the US album chart? If you do, then Join Katie Monahan Brooks from Transitions Hospice as we Groove through the Tunes of yesteryear in Music Trivia: the best of the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Put on your thinking caps and your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie down for some far-out trivia questions! Winners will go away with some fun prizes.

Vicki Madigan, Benefits Consultant
Madigan Insurance Group

Participants will learn the basics of Medicare Parts A, B, C (Medicare Advantage) and Part D (drug plans). Information will be provided on how to apply for Medicare, Medicare+ working past 65 and enrolling on-time to prevent late enrollment penalties. General information on Medicare supplements will also be covered. No specific information on insurance products or pricing will be discussed.

Gail Niksic, Vice President
Elderwerks Educational Services

Attendees will learn about aging options and levels of care throughout the continuum, the costs involved, and how to pay for it.

Cori Moschberger, MSW, LCSW
Therapist and Clinical Coordinator of Senior Services
Barrington Behavioral Health & Wellness

Aging can be stressful and the people arround you can influence your outlook on life. This session will talk about how to stay positive in an otherwise negative world, stay connected with positive influences, and learn how to step away from people who aren't supportive.

Julia Tarnorutskaya, Therapeutic Massage Therapist
J2 Massage
12:40 pm to 1:10 pm
Julia will start off by demonstrating stretches that can be done while standing or sitting. She will show you how to stretch the neck, shoulders, hands, arms, and legs to improve circulation. During the last half of the class, Julia will demonstrate standing stretches and stretches that can be done while lying on your back. These stretches will benefits issues with sciatica as well as improve mobility.

Michael Iwanicki, Superintendent
Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) McHenry County

This session will discuss benefits available to veterans to help pay for costs at home or in a senior living community. Mike will touch on programs and benefits including the Caregiver Respite Program, VA Caregivers Program, Veterans Pension & Survivors Pension, Agent Orange Disability Pension, and more.

Chris Petrik, RN BS, Nurse Trainer
Elderwerks Educational Services

Chris will provide participants with a variety of brain exercises to strengthen the brain's memory center. She will discuss the tenants of healthy living and provide tips to help you improve your memory.

Jesus A. Enriquez, Outreach and Information Specialist
AgeOptions & Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP)
Joy Aaronson, MS Ed., Benefits Access & Information Specialist
AgeOptions, The Area Agency on Aging for Suburban Cook County

What are Public Benefits? Are you eligible for Public Benefits? We will discuss programs that assist older adults on a fixed income like SNAP (Food Stamps/ Link), programs available to assist older adults with Medicare costs, BAA License Plate Discount/ Ride Free & other programs available to assist older adults.

The Illinois Senior Medicare Patrol empowers Medicare beneficiaries to protect, detect and report Medicare fraud. Please come and learn effective ways to prevent brace, home health, genetic testing, COVID-19 vaccine scams and more through our presentation.

Dr. Jennifer Wilson Binoti, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Neuropsycholgist
Compassionate Neuropsychology, LLC

Dementia is now Americans' Number One fear. With the Baby Boomers aging into their 70s, we can no longer avoid its encroachment into our lives, whether it's our parents, siblings, friends, or ourselves.  Dr. Wilson-Binotti is a clinical neuropsychologist and owner of Compassionate Neuropsychology LLC, whose primary focus is neuropsychological evaluation of the older adult population.  She discusses why it is better to know about dementia than to avoid it, signs to watch for, and preparations to make.  Dr. Wilson-Binotti presents the topic of Dementia with a humor that helps to defuse its power over us.

Lisa Wieland, Nurse Practitioner
Advocate Aurora Health

Lisa Wieland, Nurse Practitioner at Advocate Aurora Health will offer a discussion of home-based palliative care and outline the benefits of enrollment for appropriate patients.

Jen Anderson, Group Exercise Director at Good Shepherd Fitness Center
12:40 pm to 1:10 pm
Let's move together! A seated, fun workout to help get your heart pumping and your muscles working. Supported movement that is gentle on the joints but just enough to get you moving and smiling. Cardio for your heart and strength for your muscles is the right mix for the day! Join in the fun, don't miss it.

Monica E. Gavran, MD
Internal Medicine Physician at Northwestern Medicine

“The Aging Brain” Monica E. Gavran, MD will discuss cognitive decline along with what is normal compared to what is pathologic. She will also share strategies to slow down brain aging.

Lisa Gumina, AuD, F-AAA, CCC-A, Doctor of Audiology
Finer Hearing, LLC

Say WHAT! Find out more about hearing loss and learn about treatments and communication strategies. Attend this session to hear what hearing loss sounds like.

John McNeeley, Retiree

John McNeely, the primary caregiver for over five years for his spouse, will begin by reviewing the different care giving options he selected during each phase of the disease. He will highlight the common mistakes he made during this time and the things he finally did right. John will provide specific recommendations for people faced with caring for a relative or friend with dementia. He will highlight the financial issues that must be faced, along with ideas to benefit the patient as well as the caregiver.

The presentation will conclude with an overview of Memory Café and how it can benefit those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. He uses experiences he had in the formation and day-to-day support of the Fox Valley Memory Café to emphasize success factors to providing meaningful assistance to those with dementia.

Kris Hoff, President & CEO
Happy Times Tours & Experience
COVID-19 has changed the way we travel. This presentation will focus on what the future of travel will look like. From hand sanitizers in hotel lobbies and attractions to motorcoach and airline practices, Covid-19 has transformed the world of travel. During the peak of the pandemic, travel came to a virtual standstill. We will be looking at what will be the new normal. It’s time to start dreaming of travel again, but doing it safely is what will be required. The World Travel and Tourism Council and the CDC have developed an extensive range of protocols to cover the new normal. Cleaning, sanitization, wearing masks, reduced touch points will all shape the travel experience for some time to come.

Maria Guzman, Community Educator
University of Illinois Extension - Illinois Nutrition Education Program
12:40 pm to 1:10 pm

Maria Guzman presents a nutrition lesson will focus on including the recommended vegetables in your daily meals and snacks. Participants will be able to visualize what 2 1/2 cups of vegetables looks like and identify new ways to include a variety of different colored vegetables in their meals. This lesson will feature a food demonstration of Pumpkin Pudding.

Rosemary Monahan, CMF
Educator, Professional Facilitator, Leader, Executive Coach, Advocate, Care Giver

Taking care of a loved one with dementia or other long-term illness is difficult. Caregivers often feel alone,  and struggle with their roles and responsibilities, afraid to ask for help. They continue to provide care, often to the point of resentment and exhaustion, never recognizing they need support themselves. Many don't even know support is available.  Caregiver support groups provide education, offer emotional support and help build caregiver confidence  This presentation will describe what to look for in a support group, offer stories from actual caregivers, and is presented by an experienced support group leader and caregiver who took care of her own Mom with dementia for 10+ years.

We hope you attended some of the wonderful educational sessions, checked out the fabulous sponsors, and mingled a bit. This Bingo event is like none you've ever gone to. Everyone has a chance to win great prizes!