Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo Presentations Schedule

Home/Caregiver Resources/Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo/Solutions for Family Caregivers Expo Presentations Schedule

9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

How to Protect Your Assets from the Devastating Cost of Long-Term Care

Christopher J. Berry
VA-Accredited and Certified Elder Law Attorney
The Elder Care Firm
Attorney Berry will share the legal steps needed to plan for the long-term care journey for yourself or a loved one, and discuss the six ways to pay for long-term care.Included will be how to plan for governmental assistance with Medicaid and the Veterans Administration (VA) Benefit.

Me, Myself and I (Caregiver Health)

Charlene Whitt, Certified Health Education Specialist
Caregiving is hard work. When you work hard you should take time for yourself to maintain your own health. However,
finding that time can be harder than caregiving. This session is all about you and how to find yourself again.

Making the Most of Your Medicare Benefits

Michael Jakubic, Director of Medicare Sales
Health Alliance Plan (HAP)
Are you making the most out of your Medicare benefits? HAP’s Medicare expert will help you learn the various ways to fully utilize your Medicare benefits. Michael will review Medicare, Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans to help you find the best plan for you.

Hospice: End of Life Options

Heather McPherson, Operations Manager
Personal Touch Home Health Care Services, Inc.
Today Americans are living longer. With longevity, knowing your end-of-life preferences has become more important. Heather will discuss hospice, palliative care, artificial life support, DNR, advanced directives, VSED, self-determination and their differences to help you be aware of and make informed decisions.


11 a.m. to Noon

Long-Term Care: Resources, Programs and Options That Can Help

Shavon Walton, Clinical Manager
AgeWays
Gary Evans, Vice President of Operations
SameAddress (A program of AgeWays)
Long-term care options can be confusing. Knowing where to turn for services to help a loved one remain at home is important to them and you. Shavon will explore options available to caregivers like home-delivered meals, personal care, homemaking, support groups and more. Gary will share an innovative senior concierge service that’s available as well as ideas about ways to help caregivers.

The Diamond in Your Disappointment (Anticipatory Grief & Caregiver Loss)

Beth Weber, HOPE Services
Are you a caregiver experiencing anticipatory grief? Find out how it’s possible to grieve someone who’s still living, while making the most out of that relationship now and as you move forward. Beth will show you ways to find meaning in where you are now and how you are feeling, so you can persevere and endure the challenges of loss with hope.

Medicare Advantage or Medigap? What’s the Right Fit?

Rosemarie Cook, Medicare Sales Consultant
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
Too often, Medicare beneficiaries and their caregivers let financial considerations drive their plan choice: Which plan has the lowest premium? How complicated is it to use? But Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplemental plans are different in approach and coverage. This session will educate you on some of the key differences between Medicare Advantage vs. Medicare Supplement plans, so you can make informed decisions.

Caring for the Caregiver: Creating Personal Resilience

Jane Felczak, MSN RN CPPS, Principal Quality Consultant
Henry Ford Health System
Resilience is the capacity to bounce back from stress, pressure or disruption. Resilience education teaches you the ability to adjust rapidly to adversity in a healthy manner, and is an integral component of personal well-being. This program was designed to bring meaningful and validated tools to participants, combining the best available data and tools with humor and honesty.


12:30 to 1:30 p.m.

Understanding and Responding to Dementia-Related Behaviors

Lauren Cetnar, Alzheimer’s Association–Greater Michigan Chapter
Behavior is one of the primary ways for people with dementia to communicate their needs and feelings when language is lost. However, some behavior can be challenging to caregivers. Join us to learn how to decode behavioral messages, identify common triggers, and learn strategies to help understand and cope with some of the most common behavioral challenges of dementia-related diseases.

Finding the Right Medical Care for Your Loved One

Chris Popp, MD, Regional Medical Director
Oak Street Health
Rafe Petty, PhD, Regional Vice President
Oak Street Health
Managing a loved one’s medical care can be daunting for family caregivers. Finding the right healthcare provider can make a huge difference. Dr. Popp and Dr. Petty will explore how to work with providers to build a productive relationship and also introduce a different approach ton healthcare for adults on Medicare that emphasizes devoting more time to patients in the exam room and beyond.

Elder Law Mini-Course for Caregivers

Jim Schuster, J.D. – Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA)
Jim Schuster gives you the practical information for managing long-term care. You’ll learn simple, inexpensive steps to take to avoid the devastating costs or making common mistakes, essential legal documents to have, and how to get all of your Medicare, Medicaid and VA benefits without losing your home or life savings. Attendees will take home an information-packed course book.

Resources You Might Not Know About: An Information Panel

Kelly Elswick, Resource Specialist
Christmas in July, low cost dental, Project Fresh, more
Judy Rathburn, Resource/Mobility Specialist
MyRide2/Transportation Options
Lilly Estenson, LLMSW, MMAP Manager (Moderator)
Nikki Puroff-Main, Seniors Helping Seniors