Caring for Parents Together

Simple Strategies to Help Hoarders Debra Kricensky of St. Louis County and Sally Morgan, owner of SOS: Simple Organized Solutions LLC talk about strategies to help hoarders. Ms. Kricensky has been working for St. Louis County for 7 ½ years as a Resource Coordinator for the Problem Properties Unit (PPU).  She works with individuals who have property maintenance violations, some of which are caused by hoarding for 14 years. Sally has helped family members, friends, and co-workers clear their clutter and organize their time and spaces. Immediately after transforming their spaces, she noticed a sense of calm about them. They could think clearly and achieve goals that were not within reach because of the clutter.  International OCD Foundation - http://www.ocfoundation.org/hoarding/ Sally E. Morgan l Professional Organizer SOS: Simple Organized Solutions LLC 11469 Olive Blvd Ste 189    Creve Coeur, MO  63141-7108 314-308-5322   Sally@sossimpleorganizedsolutions.com   Debbie Kricensky, Resource Coordinator Problem Properties Unit St. Louis County Public Works, 1050 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO  63132 314.486.8906 (cell) dkricensky@stlouisco.com  

Tips for Selecting In-Home Services Kim Sisk Exec. Dir. of Oxford HealthCare, Board member of the Missouri Council of In-Home Services talks about the role of the organization in determining quality services to keep older adults in their homes and how to select them.  Ms. Sisk has been in the industry serving seniors for 20 years and brings much knowledge and experience to the show. Website:  www.mohomecare.org Kim Sisk, Oxford HealthCare, Executive Director In Home Services/CDS kim.sisk@oxfordhealthcare.net Office:    (417) 883-7500 Mobile:  (417) 761-9753  

Paul Gantner Esq., Elder Estate Attorney with Your Estate Matters LLC, talks about the necessary legal planning needed to prepare for end of life. Mr. Gantner obtained his undergraduate B.S.B.A. degree in Management and B.A. degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Louis University, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude.  He went to law school at University of Missouri, in Columbia, and obtained his Juris Doctorate in 2008.  Mr. Gantner also obtained his Master of Business Administration from University of Missouri in 2008. Paul Gantner joined Purcell and Amen in 2009.  Mr. Gantner is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys.  He is licensed to practice law in Missouri and Illinois and is an accredited attorney for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims for veterans’ benefits before the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  He also actively volunteers with the Alzheimer’s Association of St. Louis. Purcell and Amen Your Estate Matters, L.L.C. 10805 Sunset Office Drive, Suite 100 St. Louis, MO 63127 Phone: 314-966-8077 Fax: 314-966-5906 Email: PGantner@yourestatematters.com www.yourestatematters.com www.medicaidmissouri.com www.veteransbenefitsmo.com www.mocpc.org

Diane Keefe interviews Author, Jacqueline Marcell, about Elder Rage JACQUELINE MARCELL barely survived as a caregiver to her challenging father and sweet mother, both with Alzheimer's which went undiagnosed for over a year. The experience compelled her to write 'Elder Rage', a Book-of-the-Month Club selection receiving 470 5-star Amazon reviews, is required reading at numerous universities, and considered for a film. Over 50 prestigious endorsements include Regis Philbin, Leeza Gibbons, Johns Hopkins Memory Clinic, and the National Adult Day Services Association who honored Jacqueline with their Media Award. She also received 'Advocate of the Year' from the National Association of Women Business Owners at their Remarkable Women Awards. Jacqueline is an international speaker, presenting at hundreds of events including for the California Governor’s Conference, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, National Security Agency, and Florida House of Representatives. She’s also been featured on the TODAY SHOW, CNN, in a PBS Alzheimer’s Documentary, and was a cover story of the AARP BULLETIN. Jacqueline stresses the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s and says there can still be a good life for everyone in the family, if dementia is properly managed medically, behaviorally, socially, legally, financially and emotionally.  Jacqueline Marcell  /  Impressive Press Eldercare & Alzheimer’s Advocate: Author, Publisher, Speaker, Consultant 3141 Michelson Drive #606, Irvine, CA 92612 www.ElderRage.com   J.Marcell@cox.net

RN, Melanie Goldstein of Gentiva Home Health & Hospice, talks about the Indicators That Someone Could Benefit From Home Health Services Melanie Goldstein RN BSN graduated from Jewish College of Nursing and Allied Health. Twenty years of experience in the nursing field with combination of nursing home experience, private duty nursing, patient advocacy, marketing within the cardiovascular, blood pressure, and diabetes market, private duty, home infusion, hospice, and now Medicare Home Health services. In the field of taking care of people and their various health care needs. Contact info: Melanie Goldstein, RN BSN Home Health Specialist Gentiva Home Health WWW.Gentiva.com Office number:314-434-3030 Cell: 314-910-2902 Email: Melanie.goldstein@gentiva.com

'Must-Know' Rules of Gift Giving At End of Life Christine Alsop, Elder Estate Attorney, talks about the rules of gift giving that all older adults should know before giving away money or property later in life. Christine A. Alsop, owner of The Elder and Disability Advocacy Firm of Christine A. Alsop, LLC, has extensive elder law experience as well as significant litigation and advocacy experience. She regularly represents fiduciaries and family members in contested probate, trust and guardianship matters as well as assists families with long-term care issues, including Medicaid, Veteran Benefits, Estate Planning, Asset Protection and Special Needs Trusts. She is a member of both the Missouri Bar and the Illinois Bar and is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater St. Louis, is on the Executive Committee for the Mid-East Area Agency on Aging and is a member of the Academy of Special Needs Planners.   Contact info: 6654 Chippewa Street St. Louis, Missouri 63109 Phone: (314) 644-3200 Fax: (314) 206-4745 Email: calsop@alsopelderlaw.com www.AlsopElderLaw.com

Steve Stillman of Stillman Financial talks about the costs of Nursing Home care and how to avoid going broke. Steve is an independent financial advisor serving over 2,100 families for the past 23 years.  Steve specializes in helping seniors and their families protect assets and pay for Long Term Care utilizing “outside the box” techniques and strategies.  He serves the financial needs of individuals and families throughout their life stages. Steven Stillman or Susan Dyer      636.441.2343  Stillman Financial Services, Inc. steve@stillman123.com  www.stevestillman.com 2046 Queens Brooke Blvd St. Peters MO 63376 To look up the credentials of any financial advisor, go to FINRA website ( (www.finra.org) and click on this link: http://brokercheck.finra.org/Individual/IndividualSummary.aspx?SearchGroup=Individual&FirmKey=-1&BrokerKey=2119454 The FINRA home page  includes a “Broker Check” box that can be used to look up the credentials of any representative.

Julie Hess, Founder of ACM Care, talks about the many Senior Response Teams availble in the St. Louis area and what a profound value they bring to the community.   Julie Hess RN, C, CCM is the Executive Director of ACM Care.  ACM Care is a non profit agency with over 14 years experience helping adults access quality services so they can avoid going to a nursing home in the future. Senior Resource Teams are community-based teams that collaborate to address educational and community needs of senior citizens in the area. Phone: (314) 293-0697 Toll Free: (888) 323-5916 Email: info@acmcare.org Web: www.acmcare.org

Long Term Care is a Women's Issue according to Dana Vouga of Vouga Elder Law Dana Vouga of Vouga Elder Law speaks about Long Term Care Being a Women's Issue. Dana is a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) and is Vouga Elder Law’s Long Term Care Paralegal.  As a CSA, Dana has knowledge about aging, social and financial issues, and health information that affects the majority of seniors.  Dana also assists clients and their loved ones by educating them on how they can protect assets, avoid Medicaid “spend down,” and obtain Veterans Administration Pension Benefits. Dana Vouga, CSA and Long Term Care Paralegal 636-394-0009 www.VougaElderLaw.com

Carol is a life coach who specializes in working with people in their 50’s and 60’s who are designing new life directions in the second half of life. She is committed to helping them love what they do and helps them to create their next phase of life exactly as they want it to be.  Her passion is empowering people to make the best choices for their lives in the later years. Carol maintains a private practice and offers midlife workshops.   Her clients are often seeking a meaningful connection to their life’s work.  Some use the coaching to find new jobs, return to school, explore new talents or create interesting volunteer positions.   In 2009 she became an instructor for the St Louis Community College Plus 50 program.  She facilitates several workshops including Re-inspired, Finding Purpose and Passion in the 3rd Chapter of Life  and Discover Your Talents to name a few.  In 2012 she joined efforts with the STLCC Plus 50 program as the Communication Coordinator for the Plus 50 Completion Strategy; the American Association of Community Colleges national initiative  which aims to help baby boomers finish their degrees and certificates. Carol is a member of the International Coaching Federation; this worldwide organization exists to preserve the integrity of the coaching profession through programs and standards. Contact Information 314-965-9686 314-346-5937 carol@carolwatkinscoaching.com www.carolwatkinscoaching.com      

Brian Quinn, Elder Law Attorney at Quinn & Banter LLP, talks about little know benefits for aging veterans. Brian is a partner with the law firm of Quinn & Banton, LLP focusing his practice in the areas of estate planning, elder law, probate and business.  He is licensed to practice law in Missouri, Illinois, multiple federal courts, and is accredited through the Department of Veterans Affairs to prepare and prosecute claims for VA benefits.  Brian G. Quinn Quinn & Banton, L.L.P. 14611 Manchester Road Manchester, MO 63011 Phone: (636) 394-7242 Facsimile: (636) 394-8679 E-mail: bquinn@qb-lawfirm.com Website: www.qb-lawfirm.com   For general information on the VA, listeners can go to the VA’s website at www.va.gov, and for more information on the VA’s pension they can go to the pension page at http://benefits.va.gov/pension/index.asp.

Curtis Chaudoin, O. R. consultant, speaks about Secrets From His Time in the Operating Rooms of Many Hospitals.  He will talk about what you need to know as a consumer. Secrets from the Operating Room By Curtis M. Chaudoin Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble www.curtischaudoin.com Curtis Chaudoin spent 37 years in Operating Rooms as a sales consultant and working his way up to O.R. Consultant.  He shares many stories about his time spent there and offers tips to ensure that anyone using the O.R. understands their rights.

Elder abuse: The Crown of Life Society turns fact into compelling fiction William Henry and A. Frank Johns, Jr. wrote their novel, The Crown of Life Society to expose a broad range of issues involving family caregiving and elder exploitation. Their goal has been to provide helpful information, through an exciting story with vivid characters...families and predatory villains alike. William R. Henry, Jr. has been a professional writer more than 40 years. He became interested in the subject of elder exploitation and the dynamics of caregiving following an incident in his own family. He wrote about that incident for The Washington Post, and began the research that developed into The Crown of Life Society, the first novel ever to address elder abuse as its primary subject. Co-author, A. Frank Johns,  Jr. is a nationally recognized legal authority on elder law, guardianship, disability rights and related issues. He is past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and charter chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Elder Law Section. He is a charter partner in Booth Harrington & Johns of NC PLLC, with offices in Charlotte and Greensboro, NC. Mr. William Henry, Jr. will be on the interview. authors@crownoflifesociety.com  Website: www.crownoflifesociety.com, Facebook: www.facebook.com/crownoflifesociety. Follow us on Twitter at @henryandjohns

Laura Bone of Young In Spirit Adult Day Centers talks about the value of socialization and other services for aging adults. Laura his working on a Masters in Nursing from Barnes Jewish School of Nursing and has certification in rehabilitative nursing.  She was named Nurse Manager of the Year from Rehab Care Group and managed an acute care rehab unit where she witnessed patients being discharged that needed assistance from cognitive & physical disability.  That is when she saw the need for Adult Day Care.  She has served as President Of the Missouri Adult Day Services Association for 3 years and is still on the Board of Directors.  She is the founder of Young In Spirit Adult Day Center in St. Louis. Young in Spirit Adult Day Center located within St. Alexius Hospital, Jefferson Campus. 2639 Miami Street, St. Louis, Missouri  63118. Phone 314-645-2411  Fax  314-645-2007. www.younginspiritadultdaycenter.com

Sue Martin of Sue Martin Consulting LLC is a grief coach who offers tips on moving from grief to gratitude. Sue Martin has worked for over 30 years in the medical community, although her experience managing medical offices is just one piece of a background that led to her becoming an end of life expert. Sue experienced what it was like to become the primary caregiver for her mother. She handled all of her mother’s medical, financial and legal matters – keeping her focus on making her mother comfortable while protecting as much of her dignity as possible. After her mother lost her battle with cancer, Sue herself went through the grief that affects primary caregivers who lose a loved one – the very same grief that she now counsels others through. Shortly on the heels of losing her mother, Sue found that her recent experience was needed by the elderly couple who lived next door to her late mother. A series of illnesses and hospitalizations left them in desperate need of help, and being childless meant they had no one to manage their affairs – so they turned to Sue. This opened Sue’s eyes to the need for competent, trustworthy assistance for those who are facing the end of their life. Her warm and caring personality combined with years of professional and personal experience allow her to provide guidance, clarity and peace of mind to her clients. Contact Info:  Sue@EndOfLifeExperts.com Website:  EndofLifeExperts.com 314-712-9701  

Diana Denhom, psychotherapist and author of The Caregiver Wife's Handbook/Caring for Your Seriously Ill Husband, Caring for Yourself, shares her insights and tips from her experience caring for her spouse over 11 years. She interviewed 5 other caregiving wives about their experience and provides their collective wisdom as well.  Amazon.com dianadenholm@gmail.com

Bonnie Solomon, Director of Community Relations at The Brentmoor Retirement Community, talks about 'Grandma's Off Her Rocker and Enjoying the Journey'.   Ms. Solomon has 40 years experience in the senior industry and will share some interesting trends she has noticed.  She will also talk about what to do when a loved one is no longer able to live alone safely and criteria to use when checking out different senior facilities. 314-994-2142 www.brentmoor.com bsolomon@brentmoor.com

Bonnie Solomon, Director of Community Relations at The Brentmoor Retirement Community, talks about 'Grandma's Off Her Rocker and Enjoying the Journey'.   Ms. Solomon has 40 years experience in the senior industry and will share some interesting trends she has noticed.  She will also talk about what to do when a loved one is no longer able to live alone safely and criteria to use when checking out different senior facilities. 314-994-2142 www.brentmoor.com bsolomon@brentmoor.com  

Kate Massot from VOYCE talks about the services they offer to residents of skilled nursing facilities and to caregivers who are looking for specific situations in senior housing. Kate Massot joined VOYCE in January of 2013 as Regional Ombudsman Coordinator for Northeast Missouri and St. Louis City. In this role, she is responsible for promoting the highest quality of care for residents of long-term care and overseeing the volunteer ombudsmen who visit facilities in those regions. VOYCE 8702 Manchester Road, St. Louis, MO  63144 314-918-8222 toll free 866-918-8222 email:  info@voycestl.org www.voycestl.org  

Amie Lepsky, Clinical Services Supervisor at Gateway Ambulance Licensed and actively practicing paramedic since 2004. Recipient of the Ombudsman (now Voyce) Caregiver Award. Lynn Potts, Quality Assurance & Customer Relations with Gateway Ambulance since March 2012. Previously in the corporate and medical uniform apparel business. Holds a BS with a degree in Marketing and MBA. : Lynn Potts 314-807-0960 or Amie Lepsky 314-956-3666