A few hours of your time may just improve the quality of your life for the next 30 years. That’s because everything from financial and investment planning, to health and wellness, to caring for aging parents, will be addressed by renowned experts in small seminars at the Jewish Light’s inaugural Primetime Expo from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 at the Jewish Community Center’s Staenberg Family Complex in Creve Coeur. 

Topics of great interest to baby boomers, their parents and senior adults will highlight eight individual educational sessions, which will also allow participants to ask questions and get answers. Admission to seminars -as well as the Primetime Expo itself is free. However, seating is limited at each of the eight sessions. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at www.stljewishlight.com or by contacting Janice Singer at [email protected] or calling 314-743-3670.

Primetime Expo Seminar Schedule

Schedule, Presenters and Topics Subject to Change

11 a.m. seminars:

“Making Sense of Retirement”

Investment Strategies for Baby Boomers in a Changing Environment

Presented by: Edward Jones Investments

Concerned about outliving your assets? Concerned about adapting your investments to the new economic conditions? Have you had a financial check-up? Here’s a great opportunity to learn directly from the experts. Representatives from Edward Jones will discuss the latest philosophies, strategies and tactics for securing and growing your portfolio in a challenging times.

“Understanding Stroke”

The Latest Information on Stroke Treatment

Presented by: Barnes-Jewish Hospital & Washington University Physicians

Presenters: Dr. Peter Panagos, MD, FACEP and Rose Donnelly, RN, BSN, CNRN 

Get inside the brain and learn how innovative care for stroke can lessen the devastating damage to the brain’s movement, memory and sensory centers.  Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States and neuroscience experts at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University are pushing barriers in stroke treatment.  About 750,000 new strokes are reported in the United States each year affecting all ages, races and genders.  Join a registered nurse and stroke coordinator from Barnes-Jewish Hospital Stroke Management and Rehabilitation Team to learn more about understanding and recognizing stroke risk factors, warning signs and symptoms.  Also learn from the emergency medicine department how EMTs and emergency medicine staff use the latest technology and research in providing care for patients who are experiencing a stroke.  

Noon seminars:

“New Financial Products Including Reverse Mortgages and Long-Term Care” 

What Should You Ask Your Advisor?

Moderator/Presenter: Tom Thornton, M&I Bank

Presenters: Pam Gasser, Gershman Mortgage and David Meyers, Spectrum Planning Group 

Financial health is one of the key concerns of the Baby Boomer generation. Recent research reveals only 11 percent of the Baby Boomer population believes it has enough financial resources to enjoy retirement. A panel discussion and questions/answer session focuses on what you need to know about new products, services and programs that ensure financial health. The seminar will focus on questions you need to ask yourself and your advisor in preparing for the future, understanding reverse mortgages and evaluating new options for incorporating long-term care into you retirement plans. 

“Helping Your Parents Plan for their Golden Years”

Exploring Legal Considerations Associated With Senior Adult Parents and Long Term Care Insurance.

Moderator/Presenter: Debra Schuster, Debra K. Schuster PC

Presenter: Richard Sher, J. Berg & Associates

How can you best help parents maintain their independence, self-sufficiency and dignity while ensuring they are safe and not vulnerable to being take advantage of?  The importance of Durable Powers of Attorney, estate planning and the long-term care benefits (that do not necessarily involve nursing home care !) available to them will be discussed as well as how to deal with instances of declining mental ability, driving and handling of financial matters. Since we are all getting older, this is appropriate for not only our parents, but us as well.

1 p.m. seminars:

“Is Grandma Off Her Rocker?”

Forget the Old Stereotypes About Senior Adults; It’s A New World

Presenter: Bonnie Solomon, Senior Living Professional  

A new class of Americans is on the scene…the retired leisure class.  With “Grandma Off Her Rocker,” Senior Living Professional, Bonnie Solomon, will describe the desires and wants of these “new seniors” as they match the many housing environments, services and amenities to their lifestyle choices and at the same time preserve their safety, dignity and the greatest degree of independence. She will help you use your six senses as you forget the image of old folks rocking away their days on the front porch. 

“Feeling Good About Aging”

Using Age As an Asset

Presenter: Jeannie Krause-Taylor, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM

Why do we have a negative image about aging? What do we need to keep our brains young?

How do you change attitudes about aging? How do you start a second career in your 60s? Jeannie Krause Taylor blasts away the myths in an updated seminar for Baby Boomers, professionals and business owners.

2 p.m. seminars:

“Questions on Aging? Don’t Know Where to Turn?”

ElderLink St. Louis Answers Your Top 10 Questions

Presented by: ElderLink St. Louis

Presenters: Lori Zimmerman, MSW, LCSW, and Marcia Mermelstein, MSW

Feeling overwhelmed caring for an aging parent, your own family and yourself? Concerned that your parent needs an Alzheimer’s screening? Confused about the difference between nursing homes, intermediate care homes and assisted living facilities? Don’t know how to tell your parent that it’s time to give up the car keys? Stop worrying, and find out all the answers to the top 10 FAQs and much more from the experts at ElderLink St. Louis, the free, confidential referral service for Jewish seniors, their children and caregivers. You will learn tips on everything from finding affordable in-home services to arranging transportation, locating a physician who makes house calls, and scheduling meal deliveries. This fast-paced, interactive presentation also will allow plenty of time for your own questions

“Navigating the Benefits Maze”

Q&A on Social Security, Medicaid, Veterans Administration and Other Government Programs

Presented by: The Cedars at the JCA

Presenters:  Tom Bennett, Consultant and Sharon Minoff, Information Specialist Missouri Department of Social Services

Have questions about Social Security benefits and programs? Need information about Missouri HealthNet (Medicaid) or other state support services? These experts can help and point you in the proper direction.