Caregiver Fairs

Upcoming Fairs

11th Annual Solutions for Family Caregiver Expo
Saturday, October 16, 2010
9:00 AM—2:00 PM
Sterling Inn Banquet & Conference Center
34911 Van Dyke, Sterling Heights, MI 48312
(At Van Dke and 15 Mile Roads)

11th Annual Solutions for Family Caregiver Expo

Presentation Schedule

Guests of the Caregiver Expo have the opportunity to attend the following presentations throughout the day.

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

“The Impact of National Health Reform on Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans”

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan

The experts at BCBSM will look at how the passage of national health care legislation will impact seniors. They will also explore how benefits and rates may be affected for enrollees of Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

“Advocating for Quality Care for Your Loved Ones: A Legal Perspective”

Sanford J. Mall, CELA and Arthur L. Malisow, CELA

Mall Malisow & Cooney, PC

Sandy and Art, nationally certified elder law attorneys, will discuss how effective eldercare and special needs legal planning can help assure maximum quality of life for your loved one while preserving and protecting precious financial resources. You will learn tricks of navigating the long term care system including why it is essential to have good legal planning in place.

“Living Safely and Independently at Home: A Guide to Supportive Services in the Community”

Barb Lavery, Regional Supervisor

Area Agency on Aging 1-B

Understanding where to turn to access the services your loved may need to live at home can be overwhelming. Barb Lavery will explore options available to caregivers and how to access services, such as respite care, home delivered meals, care management, personal care, homemaking, support groups, transportation, and more. She will also share details about the Nursing Facility Transitions (NFT) program that successfully transitions individuals out of nursing facilities and back into their own living environment.

"Benefits Available to Veterans and their Spouses”

Heidi Heck, NACVSO, MACVSO, Accredited Veteran’s Service Officer

Macomb County Veteran’s Services

Heidi will provide information about a pension program for Veteran’s and their spouses to help offset the cost of home health care and health care facilities; benefits available to a surviving spouse when a veteran passes away from a service connected disability; burial benefits available for the veteran and their spouse; and grant money that can help for emergency situations.

11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

“Enhancing Health, Fitness & Safety for Older Adults:

Redefining and Reclaiming “The Golden Years!”

Vincent F. Salvia, BS, MBA, President, Owner

J. Michael Hayes, RN, ABRM, Chief Operations Officer, Administrator

Generations Home Care Group

Vincent will share his expertise on the vital importance of proper diet, nutrition and exercise and its ability to prevent and control chronic illness. Family caregivers will learn how to work with elder family members to identify and target health and wellness goals. Michael will demonstrate a variety of assistive equipment designed to help individuals maintain independence and “age in place” safely in their home. Attendees will leave the presentation with knowledge, tools and techniques that will benefit not only their loved one’s health and wellbeing, but their own as well.

“Responding to the Special Needs of Senior Patients”

Orest Sowirka, D.O. Medical Director, Acute Care for the Elderly Unit

Henry Ford Macomb Hospital - Warren Campus

Older adults, age 70 +, are high risk for conditions that may impede their ability to care for themselves at home and increase their risk for prolonged hospitalization and loss of independence. Orest Sowirka, DO, internist specializing in geriatric medicine, and medical director of the hospital's new Acute Care for Elderly Unit, will explain how common conditions such as dizziness, falls, memory loss, dementia, depression, anxiety, urinary incontinence, and adverse drug reactions, negatively impact seniors and discuss interventions to that will improve quality of life and prevent functional decline.

“Who's Taking Care of You? Stress Management and Self Care for Caregivers”

Lynn Alexander

Your Aging Well Advisor

With today's hectic lifestyles we sometimes forget to take care of ourselves. Lynn Alexander, author of “Caregiver Tsunami”, has worked with thousands of career women over the past thirty years as a training consultant with Fortune 500 companies, as well as the former State Aging Director. Lynn will share her expertise on how to take care of yourself, reduce stress and find strategies to get you through challenging and demanding times.

"Medicaid 101: Qualifying, Applying and Receiving Medicaid Benefits"

David Shaltz, JD

Elder Law of Michigan Volunteer

Author, trainer, elder law attorney, and Michigan Medicaid expert David L. Shaltz, JD of Counsel for Chalgian & Tripp, will cover key topics including: The rules governing who can qualify for Medicaid; Non-financial eligibility requirements for various Medicaid programs, including the MI Choice Home and Community Based Waiver, Medicare Savings and more; How assets and income are treated in the Medicaid program; and on-line resources.

12:30 pm to 1:30 p.m.

Medicare – Understanding Your Options”

Jennifer Houghton, Medicare Medicaid Assistance Program Manager

Area Agency on Aging 1-B

Jennifer will provide an overview of the fundamentals of Medicare and the Medicare choices available, including Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Medicare Advantage plans, and Medicare prescription drug coverage. She will outline Medicare’s online tools on Mymedicare.gov, including the Medicare prescription drug plan finder, the find out what Medicare covers function, and the quality cost compare online database.

“Legal Tips for Caregivers”

Jim Schuster, J.D., Certified Elder Law Attorney (CELA)

This lively Q&A session will cover legal information caregivers need to know. Back by popular demand, Jim Schuster will share his extensive knowledge on caregiver contracts, powers of attorney, wills and living trusts, Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit, Medicaid, asset protection, alternatives to nursing home care, and more. Learn how to be an empowered advocate!

“Know the 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease: Early Detection Matters”

Rhonda Beauford, BS, Education and Training Coordinator

Alzheimer’s Association – Greater Michigan Chapter

and

Dr. Rhonna Shatz, DO, Director of Neurobehavioral Services, Department of Neurology

Henry Ford Health System

Guests will learn why early detection, early diagnosis and early intervention are important to an Alzheimer’s patient; the difference between age-related memory loss and dementia; and what to do if signs of Alzheimer’s disease are evident. The experts will also identify the risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s, the lifestyle changes that may positively affect brain health, and strong scientific evidence that links brain health to heart health.

“What Are You Waiting For? End of Life Decision Making Now.”

CS Pimm, MSW, MPA, MM

Hospice of Michigan

Learn how to make DECISIONS regarding what you and your loved ones want at the end of life; how to talk to your loved ones about wishes (yours and theirs); and how to make sure wishes come true. Get Insider Tips and Tricks on choosing and using HOSPICE services. Aging Parents: Come laugh and learn… before your kids take your car keys away. Adult Kids: Come and hear what we’re laughing about so the joke’s not on you!

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