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Aging Better Expo Sessions

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Learn important information on aging topics including legal and health aspects of aging. Choose one or more sessions to attend "live" or come back later to view the recordings at your leisure. Recordings for sessions from prior years can be found under Resources / Articles and Videos / Aging Better Expo.

Supporters

Due to the support of these resources Elderwerks is able to host the most supportive Aging Better Expo in Illinois. Please view their information and reach out if you’re in need of their services. Tell them you found them through Elderwerks!

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Ageless Grace Brain Health Fitness

Wednesday 08/14/2024 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Pavillion

Dr. Jenna Eisenberg
Ageless Grace

Ageless Grace ® Brain Health Fitness is based on the science of neuroplasticity. There are 21 simple exercise tools designed for all ages and abilities. The movements are designed to be performed seated in a chair to stimulate the brain. The exercise, based on everyday natural and organic movements, focus on the healthy longevity of the body and brain. There is music and laughter guaranteed!

Dr. Jenna Eisenberg retired after 38 years in her own practice as a chiropractor. She was a motivational speaker and a college instructor for many years. Jenna now teaches Ageless Grace classes online and in person and absolutely loves it!

Celebrity Estate Battles

Wednesday 08/14/2024 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Room C

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

Learn about the legal issues resulting from the estate planning missteps of famous celebrities including Ernie Banks, Prince, Redstone Sumner, Michael Jackson, Heath Ledger, Robin Williams, Elvis Presley, Philip Seymour, Marilyn Monroe, Anna Nicole Smith, Marlon Brando and James Gandolfini. Discover probate avoidance methods including joint tenancy, trusts, and lifetime gifting. Review when it is appropriate to assign powers of attorney.

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.

Aging Powerfully

Wednesday 08/14/2024 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Classroom B

Wanda Moen, Vice President Sales & Marketing
The Arbor Company

Wanda Moen will share how to age powerfully and embrace the power that you have earned. All of our lives are spent chasing the American Dream… work harder, do more, and be more. Aging is not to be considered declining but a phase where you have accumulated wisdom, experience and resilience that you should harness and celebrate. Growing older means that you gain strength in various forms, whether it be emotional intelligence, deeper self-awareness and the capacity to influence and inspire others. This perspective shifts our focus from the loss of something that comes with aging to portray aging as a time of empowerment and fulfillment.

Wanda is an accomplished sales and marketing professional with over 24 years of experience in senior living and care. She consistently delivers first-class solutions using a hands-on approach with coaching, motivating and developing talented sales teams. Her leadership encourages her people to meet and exceed their goals in service and in care. In addition to being an excellent sales leader, Wanda is a master communicator. Her training and presentations are both engaging and insightful, and she frequently uses practical tools to captivate her audience. Wanda has been an integral part of The Arbor Company’s sales initiatives in her almost nine years with the company, currently serving as Vice President of Sales and Marketing. Wanda is also a certified DE&I certified facilitator as well as a Certified Franklin Covey facilitator

Your Healthy Heart!

Wednesday 08/14/2024 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Classroom A

Dr. Ewa Dembowski, Cardiologist
Endeavor Health

Taking care of our heart, especially as we grow older, is essential to our well-being. Join us for this physician-led discussion on what we can do to keep our heart healthy!

Dr. Ewa Dembowski, Endeavor Health Cardiologist, is board-certified in cardiovascular disease and has more than 18 years experience in treating the heart. Dr. Dembowski has a clinical focus on preventative cardiology, women’s heart disease and lipid management.

Chair Pilates

Wednesday 08/14/2024 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Pavillion

Ruth Reyna, Personal Trainer
Golden Oak Personal Training

This total body class focuses on improving your core strength, balance, posture, and mobility so you can move easier throughout your day! Practice proper breathing techniques as we move with control through a series of standing and sitting exercises.

There's an Elephant in the Room . . . Let's Talk About Long-Term Care Planning

Wednesday 08/14/2024 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Classroom C

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

Many adults feel that it’s just too difficult or scary to talk or even think about the possibility of needing long-term care assistance due to an accident, chronic illness or simply as we age. That’s the elephant in the room. By avoiding the topic, most are unaware of the different plan types, nor that pricing can be flexible and plans customized to fit our budgets. Fewer know that Illinois is a Long-Term Care Partnership state to help with protecting our assets. Even fewer have heard of short-term recovery plans for older adults or how helpful they can be for anyone with a challenging health history.

As founder and President of Brandt Financial Concepts, celebrating its 40th year, Carol’s lifetime passion has been to educate and inspire adults of all ages to plan for their futures before a crisis and without going broke. CLTC® Certified in Long-Term Care planning, Carol is also an active member of the MIT Planning for Longevity Network, both as a contributor and collaborator on projects ranging from aging, longevity and brain health to living better as we age.

Carol will take us from scared to better prepared with long-term care planning education, a variety of options, sample pricing and a strategy we can employ before a crisis without going broke… And yes, there will absolutely be an elephant in the room that you won’t want to miss! Join Carol and make friends with the elephant in Room C at 10:30 am where she will take the fear out of long-term care planning while having a little fun.

Whole Brain Fitness & Successful Aging

Wednesday 08/14/2024 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Room B

Joyce Mahoney, CTRS, APRS
Regional Vice President, Consultant, and Memory Care Therapist
Belmont Village Senior Living

Research has uncovered strong evidence suggesting that mental acuity and alertness can be improved in older adults through “brain fitness” programs. The research suggests that people who already have memory impairment or a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease can benefit from an appropriately designed mind/body/spirit enrichment program. Enriched programs are designed to help you reach your highest potential.

Joyce has over 25 years of experience in senior and memory care services and has been with Belmont Village for more than 19 years. She provides consultation and support services for Central and Eastern communities, healthcare professionals, and caregivers; has developed programs designed for mental fitness initiatives; developed Quality Assurance protocol and tools (used in a Vanderbilt-based consultation) of program evaluation; and teaches dementia training and educational courses.

Estate Planning 101: Trusts Aren't Just for the Pritzkers

Wednesday 08/14/2024 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Room A

Matt Margolis, Elder Law Attorney
Margolis Weldon LLC

Understand the way, Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorneys, HIPAAs, and Living
Wills work. Participants will learn the major differences between wills and trusts. Many people can benefit from having them in place. Know what documents make up a traditional estate plan and be more empowered when it comes to determining what planning option is right for you based on your circumstances.

Professional Associations: Illinois State Bar Association, National Academy
of Elder Law Attorneys, and Board Member of Shore Community Services

Practice Areas:
I work in the areas of Estate Planning, Elder Law, and Special Needs. With
respect to estate planning and special needs planning, I assist clients in
preparing wills, trusts (revocable, irrevocable, asset protection, special needs,
powers of attorney, living wills, and HIPAAs. When it comes to Elder Law, I
assist clients with both the strategic planning and applications related to
Medicaid and the VA Aid and Attendance benefit, caregiver contracts, and
asset protection planning.

What I love about our firm:
The fact that we truly care about our clients and being there for them while they
are going through one of life’s most difficult transitions. All of our clients are
treated as if they are a member of our own families, whether it is a parent,
grandparent, uncle, sister, or any other loved one.

How to Take Care of Yourself and Your Aging Parents

Wednesday 08/14/2024 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Room A

Chris Petrik, RNBS, DCC-I
Director of Education
Elderwerks

Chris discusses how to have the caregiver conversation with your aging loved ones, build a caregiver support network, and how to recognize and cope with caregiver burnout. This presentation offers caregivers information and resources to help cope with the role reversal that occurs as adult children become caregivers for aging loved ones.

Medicare 101 and the Choices You Need to Make

Wednesday 08/14/2024 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Room C

Sue Grossinger, Senior Services Coordinator, Senior Services
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.

Social Security: Understanding the Benefits

Wednesday 08/14/2024 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Room B

Megan Forristall, Public Affairs Specialist
Social Security Administration

Megan provides an overview of Social Security benefits and online services. Learn necessary information to plan for retirement and Medicare.

Megan Forristall is a Public Affairs Specialist for the Social Security Administration and has been with the agency for 18 years. Megan is based out of the Peru, IL office, as a Public Affairs Specialist. Megan covers a large area of Northern and North Central Illinois.

Scams and Frauds: How Not to Become a Victim!

Wednesday 08/14/2024 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Classroom A

Sonya Tomkins
Office of the Illinois Attorney General

Unraveling the Web of Scams and Frauds: A Comprehensive Insight
Scams and frauds lurk in the shadows of our daily lives, preying on trust, exploiting vulnerabilities, and leaving devastation in their wake. This presentation serves as a beacon of light, illuminating the dark corners where these deceitful practices thrive and how the IL Attorney General can assist if you become a victim.

Sonya Tompkins is an experienced outreach professional currently serving as a liaison with the Illinois Attorney General's office, where she works to foster communication and collaboration between the government and the community. Previously, she held a leadership role with the Cook County Treasurer's office, spearheading initiatives such as Black Houses Matter. With a background as a longtime former talk radio producer with WVON 1690AM, Sonya brings a wealth of experience in media, communications, and community engagement to her current role.

Staying Active

Wednesday 08/14/2024 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Classroom B

John Senft, Exercise Physiologist
Lutheran Life Communities
John teaches us fitness advantages as we age to become more active. You will learn ways to be healthier so you can stay in your home and remain independent.

John Senft is a certified personal trainer, senior fitness expert, and golf fitness specialist. He has 14 years of fitness experience. The first 11 years of his career was with Athletico Physical Therapy working in a clinic and as a Strength and Conditioning Coach in high schools. He has experience working with pre/post injuries, athletes, special population, and the active aging population. For the past 3 years John has been working in senior living communities.

John is certified in Parkinson's exercise.

Food and You

Wednesday 08/14/2024 02:30 PM - 03:30 PM
The Stonegate Conference & Banquet Centre
2401 West Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates, IL 60169
Classroom C

Vanessa Bajaj
Nurse Practitioner
Oak Street Health

Simple tips and facts on how food impacts your health conditions.

Vanessa Bajaj is a BIO-Mastered prepared, family certified nurse practitioner, first generation Latina focused in holistic and culturally sensitive care.

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