Seminars on broad a spectrum of future concerns that provide Baby Boomers, their parents and Senior Adults an opportunity to receive expert advice highlight the Jewish Light’s inaugural Primetime Expo, Oct. 30, 2011 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the JCC Staenberg Family Complex in Creve Coeur.

Topics covered in eight individual educational sessions include financial and investment planning, caring for senior adult parents, senior living; health and wellness, services available to seniors and important considerations in elder law.

Admission to seminars–as well as the Primetime Expo itself– is free. However, seating is limited at each session. Attendees are encouraged to register in advance at www.stljewishlight.com/primetime or by contacting Janice Singer at [email protected] or calling (314) 743-3670.

Primetime Expo Seminar Schedule

11 a.m.

“Making Sense of Retirement”

Investment Strategies for Baby Boomers in a Changing Environment Presented by Edward Jones Investments Presenter: David W. Crow, AAMS Financial Advisor

Synopsis: Making Sense of Retirement is a seminar designed to help you learn investment strategies for retirement. You’ll learn about the importance of setting goals, the concepts of risk tolerance and the value of diversifying your portfolio. Once you’re familiar with all these elements, you’ll be able to create a road map that can help guide you toward the retirement lifestyle you’ve envisioned. Mr. Crow looks forward to answering any questions or concerns you may have about Pre Retirement, At Retirement and Living In Retirement.

About the Presenter: David W. Crow, Accredited Asset Management Specialist (AAMS) has served a financial advisor with Edward Jones since 2004. His office is located at 6930 Olive Blvd., in University City. During his tenure with Edward Jones, Mr. Crow has received numerous accolades for his accomplishments including the 2005 Ted Jones Prospecting Award, 2006 Regional Leader Award, 2006 Partner Award, 2010 A.F. McKenzie Award, 2011 Dale Carnegie Coach and 2011 AAMS. Crow holds a B.A, from St. Louis University. He and his family reside in Glendale, MO.

“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

Synopsis: 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.

About the Presenters: Peter D. Panagos, MD, FACEP, FAHA serves as an Associate Professor, in the Department of Emergency Medicine and Neurology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. He is currently the Director of Neurovascular Emergencies, Emergency Medicine division and serves at the Co-Director of the BJH/WUSM Stroke Center and Stroke Network. .Dr. Panagos clinical interests focus on acute stroke management and systems of care research including interventional management of stroke and extending the therapeutic window of IV tPA for brainstem and cerebellar stroke. Rose Donnelly, RN, BSN, CNRN has worked in the clinical setting at Barnes Jewish Hospital for the past 26 years, specializing in the neuroscience and oncology areas of nursing. She is currently working towards her Nursing Master’s Degree with a focus on Education. For the past two years, on a neuroscience division, she has worked in the Nurse Educator role. Her responsibilities include mentoring nursing staff, assessing competencies of staff and educating new nurses in the neuroscience area. Ms. Donnelly is actively involved in community education on stroke awareness and prevention.

 

Noon

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

What Should You Ask Your Advisor? Presenters: Tom Thornton, M&I Bank; Pam Gasser, Gershman Mortgage, and David Meyers and Jervis DiCiccio, Spectrum Planning Group

Synopsis: 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 important issues in financial planning for retirees and pre-retirees.

About the Presenters: Thomas Thornton is Vice President and Regional Sales Manager for M&I Financial Advisors Inc. Pamela J. Gasser has been in the mortgage industry for more than 15 years and has specialized in Reverse Mortgages for the past five years. She will focus on various issues relating to Reverse Mortgages and how they help relieve some the financial burdens senior adults experience. David Meyers has been helping seniors protect their income and assets through insurance planning since 1989. He co-founded Gold Coast Services, now The Spectrum Planning Group, a financial planning firm in 1994, offering top service and solutions for insulating assets from Long Term Care expenses. Recognized in 1999 by a leading LTC insurer, Mr. Meyers was granted the opportunity to train and support hundreds of insurance agents around the country. Mr. Meyers maintains an Insurance License in Florida and many other States, as well as a Florida Mortgage Loan Originator License. Jervis DiCicco is a financial advisor in the St. Louis, MO. He has been helping individuals and families achieve their financial planning goals by providing advice on investment planning. Mr. DiCicco holds four securities licenses and is a Certified Instructor for the Financial Educators Network. He has taught retirement planning courses at a local university as well as presenting the course as a service to local businesses. Mr. DiCiccio has sat on the due diligence committee at a previous Broker/Dealer. In addition to his work with traditional fund investing, he has extensive experience with real estate investments.

“Helping Your Parents Plan for their Golden Years”

Exploring Legal Considerations Associated With Senior Adult Parents and Long Term Care Insurance. Presenters: Debra Schuster, Debra K. Schuster PC, and Richard Sher, J. Berg & Associates

Synopsis: 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.

About the Presenters: Debra Schuster, JD, MHA has a multi-disciplinary law practice that focuses on elder law and life-care planning, mental health law, Medicare and Medicaid issues, long-term care, long-term disability claims and appeals, special needs planning and elder mediation. She has a private practice in St. Louis, MO. Ms. Schuster is a native of Buffalo, N.Y., having received her B.A. in Physical Anthropology from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1985; her MHA from Washington University in 1987 and her J.D. from St. Louis University in 1991. Ms. Schuster is licensed to practice in Illinois and Missouri; is the Immediate Past President of the Breakthrough Coalition, a Board Member of Memory Care Home Solutions, ITN St. Charles, a Member of the Life Care Planning Law Firm Association and Member the Missouri and National Chapters of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. Richard M. Sher is an independent insurance agent with J. Berg and Associates, St. Louis, MO. He has more than 20 years of experience with one of the largest agencies in the United States helping senior adults with their insurance needs. Mr. Sher and his agency represent more than 80 insurance companies. Mr. Sher has provided information through many seminars to senior groups in the area. As an independent agent, he works for his clients’ best interests through the many top-rated companies he is affiliated.

 

1 p.m.

“Is Grandma Off Her Rocker?”

Forget the Old Stereotypes About Senior Adults; It’s A New World Presenter: Bonnie Solomon, Senior Living Professional

Synopsis: 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.

About the Presenter: Bonnie Solomon, Director of Community Relations for the Brentmoor Retirement Communities, has spent more than 35 years as an executive administrator in the senior living industry. A graduate of Lindenwood University, she holds a B.A. in gerontology and psychology. Ms. Solomon is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator and has earned the Advanced Registered Apartment Manager designation, Certified Seniors Housing Specialist designation and the Certified in Active Adult Senior Housing designations from the National Association of Home Builders. An active community volunteer, Ms. Solomon has held executive leadership positions in local and national organizations. She has been honored by the Town and Country/Frontenac Chamber of Commerce as “Business Person of the Year” and the Older Women’s League with its “Lifetime Achievement Award.” She is a noted speaker, author and consultant.

“Feeling Good About Aging”

Using Age As an Asset Presenter: Jeannie Krause-Taylor, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM

Synopsis: As Boomers continue to age, we are doing it as we have with everything: OUR Way! Join us as we explore why we, as a society, have a negative image of aging and what we can do to change that. Jeannie Krause-Taylor, President of Pathways for Aging, will blast aging myths that have been around for too long. She will also tell us what we need to do to keep our brains “young.” We will even explore ways to reinvent ourselves through a new career after age 45.

About the Presenter: Jeannie Krause-Taylor, MSW, LCSW, C-ASWCM founded Pathways for Aging, Inc. in 2004, after more than 20 years of experience as a professional social worker, because she saw the strain, frustration, and feelings of helplessness experienced by older adults, families and caregivers as they struggled with difficult changes in their roles and life-altering decisions. As a social worker specializing in the emotional health and well-being of Older Adults, Ms. Krause-Taylor has worked with hundreds of families, as they strive to navigate the changing waters of caring for aging parents. Her unique perspective is enlightening and informative: Helping Aging Ms. Krause-Taylor’s experience includes serving as the Social Work Manager for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Case Manager Supervisor with the St. Louis Regional Center for the Developmentally Disabled. Jeannie has also served as an adjunct faculty member at Washington University, where she instructed social work students seeking their Masters Degree.

 

2 p.m.

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

FElderLink St. Louis Answers Your Top 10 Questions Presented by ElderLink St. Louis Presenters: Lori Zimmerman, MSW, LCSW, and Marcia Mermelstein, MSW

Synopsis: 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

About the Presenters: Lori Zimmerman is, senior information specialists and referral specialist for ElderLink of St. Louis. She is a licensed clinical social worker and received her master’s degree in social work from the Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. She’s been providing guidance on elder issues with ElderLink since its inception in 2009. Prior to that, Lori worked at Magellan Health Services where she led a team of consultants in providing guidance and professional advice for families struggling with care giving needs. Zimmerman has also worked with low-income families locally, conceptualizing and implementing several successful programs in the areas of special events, volunteer management, financial success, children of divorce, and job training. She has extensive experience in consulting with clients on a wide variety of parenting, special needs and eldercare issues. Marcia Mermelstein has a wealth of experience in both social services and Jewish communal organizations. She is well-known for her extensive professional service to the Jewish Community Center, United Hebrew Temple, B’nai Amoona Synagogue, Central Agency for Jewish Education and Union for Reform Judaism. In addition, her extensive knowledge of resources available in our area is a tremendous asset to ElderLink St. Louis. Ms. Mermelstein has an undergraduate degree from the University of Kansas and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Washington University. Over the past five years, she has helped her own aging mother deal with a growing list of medical concerns and a move from Kansas City to St. Louis. Her role at ElderLink St. Louis allows her to share both resources and great empathy with others experiencing her family’s situation.

“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, Chaplain at Amheart Hospice and Sharon Minoff, Information Specialist Missouri Department of Social Services

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

About the Presenters: Tom Bennett was born and raised in Liverpool England. He moved to the United States in 1973 to complete his divinity degree at St. Louis University. He has spent his entire career in the healthcare industry. In addition to a B.A. and M.A. degree from St. Louis University in divinity, Mr. Bennett has a M.A. in social work from Washington University, a graduate certificate in gerontology from St. Louis University and an MBA from Washington University. He has worked as a medical social worker, Assistant Administrator at St. Mary’s Hospital, East St. Louis, IL, and Executive Director of Department of Surgery/Academic Medicine at SLU Medial Center. Mr. Bennett has also served as consultant to the Missouri State Medical Association. Currently he is chaplain at Amheart Hospice. Sharon Minoff has a degree in Psychology from the University of Missouri and been employed with the Missouri Family Support Division for almost 30 years. She has served in a variety of capacities with FSD including caseworker, supervisor and her current position of Correspondence and Information Specialist for the St Louis Region. Ms. Minoff has supervised Income Maintenance Staff, the Energy Assistance Program and implemented and supervised the MC+ for Kids Phone Center. She represents the Family Support Division in the St Louis Region (Franklin County, Jefferson County, St Charles County, St Louis City and St Louis County).