On Saturday, Oct. 13, more than 150 people participated in the second annual Senior Law Day Program sponsored by Senior Services of Alexandria and the Alexandria Bar Association at the First Baptist Church in Alexandria. Attendees were able to connect with local experts and service providers to learn about the legal, financial, and life care issues facing seniors in our community and how important it is for seniors and their families to plan ahead.
Panelists first used a hypothetical case study, “When Bad Things Happen to Good People,” to highlight the need to consider a wide range of issues, including financial planning, long-term care insurance, Medicare coverage, in-home care and continuing care communities.
The second half of the morning focused on “Planning to Stay Ahead of the Curve” and reminded everyone of the need to execute some basic documents: a current will, medical directive, and a power of attorney. There was even some frank conversation about the ins and outs of Medicare and Medicaid.
This important program would not have been possible with the help of our organizers, sponsors and the terrific panels of experts.
Senior Services of Alexandria is grateful to Barbara Anderson, Esq., principal of the Life & Estate Planning Law Center, PLLC, who worked tirelessly with the Alexandria Bar Association to organize and plan the event. SSA is also grateful to our many generous sponsors who include the Alexandria Bar Foundation; Christine Balance and the Fountains at Washington House; Craig Stewart with Bernstein Global Wealth Management; Colleen Ryan Mallon at Goodwin House; A.D. Gray, KOVA Contractors; Barbara Anderson and Natalie Page Esqs., Life & Estate Planning Law Center; Eileen Spinella at Mt. Vernon Nursing and Rehabilitation Center; Deborah Matthews, Esq. Law Office of Deborah Matthews; Ellen Cleary and David Mucciaro with Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Julie Parks and Mary Ann Schaffer, Esqs., Parks & Schaffer, PLLC; Robert Calhoun, Gordon Peyton and Gant Redmon, Esqs., Redmon, Payton and Braswell, LLP; Lonnie Rich, Esq., Rich Rosenthal Manitta Dzubin & Kroger, LLP; Thomas West, Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC; Deena Lane, Sunrise Senior Living of Alexandria; Mitch Opalski, Synergy Home Care; Andre Chowansky, TD Bank; Donna Shaw, Woodbine Rehabilitation and Health Care, and to Derek Lymus from Comcast.
We also give a hearty thank you to our speakers and presenters for their insight and providing important information on a variety of topics that everyone needs to know before making these important life decisions. We thank: Vanessa Rosengart Bishop, a geriatric care manager and found of Elder Care Consultants, Inc.; Robert Bullock, Esq., principal of the Elder & Disability Law Center; Steve Gurney, publisher of the Guide to Retirement Living Sourcebook; Colleen Ryan Mallon, corporate director of marketing for Goodwin House; Deborah Matthews, Esq. of the Law Office of Deborah Matthews; Mitch Opalski, principal of Synergy Home Care; Natalie Page, Esq. of the Life & Estate Planning Law Center, PLLC, and Tom West of Signature Estate & Investment Advisors, LLC.
To receive copies of Senior Law Day handouts, call 703-836-4414. SSA will post audience questions and answers as well as Comcast’s broadcast of Senior Law Day to our website at www.seniorsericesalex.org. The next discussion: Caregiver Support: Helping those who care for seniors will take place from 9:30 am – noon on Saturday, Nov. 10 at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House at 323 South Fairfax Street in Alexandria. To register for this session and to view SSA’s 2012-2013 speaker series schedule, visit www.seniorservicesalex.org or call 703-836-4414.