It’s About Living: Planning for Your Health Care Future

Presenters: Kuljik Kapur, MD, Medical Director Transitions Palliative Care and Hospice, and Melissa Kallio, JD Elder Law Attorney

Date: Friday, April 16, 2021, National Health Care Decisions Day

Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm

Location: Webinar

Registration: There is no charge to attend. Advanced registration is required by contacting Kate Monahan Brooks at kmonahan@transitionshospice.com

Continuing Education: 1 hour is provided for Illinois Social workers, counselors, and registered nurses.

Click here to see the flyer for this event.

Preserving Independence in the Guardianship Decision-Making Process

Melissa Kallio is the current chair of the Chicago Bar Association’s Elder & Disability Law Committee. On April 20, 2021, the Committee will hold its annual seminar for attorneys via a live webcast. This year’s topic is “Preserving Independence in the Guardianship Decision-Making Process.” This seminar will explore the role of the legal decision-maker from the perspective of practitioners advocating for different viewpoints in the guardianship process. Guardianship abuse and the loss of rights for persons with disabilities has been in the spotlight as of late. This seminar will highlight strategies to maximize the independence and dignity of persons with disabilities.

This event is for members of the Chicago Bar Association.

Estate Planning & Guardianship for the LGBTQ+ Community

This presentation will address considerations for working with LGBTQ+ clients on their estate plan. We will also take a look at advocacy when there was no advance planning and the LGBTQ+ individual is the subject of a guardianship. Participants will learn strategies that address all phases of legal practice from client intake to document terms to holistic planning for the LGBTQ+ community

Presenters: Melissa Kallio, Attorney, Dutton Casey & Mesoloras, P.C. and Jacqueline Boyd, Owner, The Care Plan

Date: Friday, April 23, 2021

This program is being offered for the Illinois Paralegal Association

A Legal Road Map for Aging Well   

If the only certainties in life are death and taxes, then one of the major uncertainties is how our golden years will play out. We all hope to age well with excellent physical, cognitive, and mental health. But what about of financial and legal health? We must all prepare for the possibility that we may become ill, disabled, or lose cognitive function. Attend this program, presented by an elder law attorney, to learn how the proper advanced legal planning can help ensure a smoother and safer journey.

Presenter: Helen Mesoloras, JD, Elder Law Attorney and Partner

Date:  Wednesday, May 5, 2021

Time  6:00pm- 7:00pm

Location: Webinar or Phone

CEUs: 1 CEU is available for Illinois Nurses, Social Workers, and Counselors for no fee

Registration: This program is being offered in connection with Pathlights (formerly PLOWS Council on Aging). However, you do not need to be their client to attend.  There is no fee to attend. However, advanced registration is required. Please contact Catherine at 708-274-0052 or c.stowers@plows.org

Legal and Financial Considerations for Living with Dementia

Presenter: Attorney Kathryn Casey, JD, CELA

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2021

This session is being offered in connection with the Support and Education for Early Dementia Program through Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease.

For information regarding the Center and services, please contact Debbie Dyslin, LCSW, at 312-503-5559 or deborah.dyslin@northwestern.edu.

UNDERSTANDING THE SURROGATE DECISION MAKERS – WHO DECIDES WHEN YOUR PATIENT OR CLIENT CAN’T?

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2021
Time: 9:00am-10:00am
Presenter: Amy Gjesdahl, JD

This session, offered in connection with Transitions Palliative Care and Hospice, will discuss the types of decision-makers authorized by Illinois law to make decisions on behalf of a disabled adult including agents under Powers of Attorney, trustees, guardians, and health care surrogates. Before you can successfully work with these decision-makers, you need to (1) understand whether the decision-maker is legally entitled to make the decision at issue, and (2) know the extent of a decision-maker’s authority and what ethical standards he or she should apply when making decisions.

This presentation will discuss these issues, and more, along with questions commonly asked of elder law attorneys.

Continuing Education: 1.0 CEU for Illinois Social Workers, Counselors, and Nurses

Registration: There is no charge to attend, However, advanced registration is required. Please contact Katie Monahan Brooks at kmonahan@transitionshospice.com to register.

Paying for Long-Term Care – Uncovering the Medicare Myths

In celebration of May being National Elder Law Month, Melissa will focus on the concern and financial burden of paying for Long Term Care. A realistic look at our future or the future of an aging senior leaves many wondering “how can I afford to age?” Melissa will uncover the Medicare Myths and provide attendees guidelines and specifics that apply to Long Term Care Costs. Attendees will have an improved understanding of their options.

Presenters: Melissa Kallio, JD

Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Time: 12:00pm-1:00pm

Location: Webinar or Phone

Registration: There is no charge to attend. However, advanced registration is required. Please call 847-462-0885 or email Events@Elderwerks.org to register.

Part of our “Have a Say in Your Summer and Beyond” Series

Documents You Don’t Think You Need – Until You Do 

Estate planning is needed for all of us, regardless of income and assets. Many people believe that having an estate plan simply means drafting a will or a trust. However, there is much more to include to make certain all of your assets are transferred seamlessly to your heirs upon your death. A successful plan also includes provisions allowing others access your assets and make healthcare decisions for you in the event you become unable to do so yourself.

Presented by: Helen Mesoloras, JD, CELA

Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Location: Webinar or Phone

Registration: There is no cost to participate. However, advanced registration is required. Please click here to register -. http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=txvqzbdab&oeidk=a07ehq2ww1hf80bd991

In this two-part presentation, these dynamic and engaging speakers will be discussing the challenges LGBTQ+ may experience when planning for later life; strategies to build strong relationships and effectively care plan with LGBTQ+ clients; why long-term care planning is a must, and what documents, resources, and information are needed to ensure a secure future.

Presenters: Kathryn Casey, JD, CELA and Jacqueline Boyd, LGBTQ+ advocate and founder of the The Care Plan

Date: Wednesday, June 9, 2021

Time: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Location: Webinar

Registration for community members: There is no fee to attend. However, advanced registration is required. Call 847-462-0885 or send an email to events@elderwerks.com

Registration for Professionals: There is a $10.00 fee to attend. 1.5 credits for cultural competency will be awarded to Illinois nurses, professional counselors, social workers, and nursing home administrators. Call 847-462-0885 or send an email to events@elderwerks.com to register.

Don’t Be a Victim: A Discussion with Professional Advocates

Regardless of who we are – wealthy or poor, under-educated or highly educated, well known or not – we are all at risk of being a victim of scams and being financially exploited. The list of possibilities seems endless – be it family members, people calling and asking us to send money to help our grandchildren, or people coming to the door offering free home inspections. Attend this program to learn tips for protecting yourself, legal remedies available to victims, and much more!

Presented by: Amy Gjesdahl, JD, Erin Vogt, LCSW, CMC, and Troy Kerber.

Date:  Thursday, June 17, 2021

Time:  1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Location: Webinar

Registration: There is no cost to attend, However, advanced registration is required. Please click here to register – https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_06tSy-O6R7ObPGWsAPImtA

Click here to view the flyer for this event.

Part of our “Have a Say in Your Summer and Beyond” Series

Wills and Trusts: What They Are, How They Work, and Much More

A will or a trust may sound complicated or expensive—something only wealthy people have. That is an incorrect.  A will or trust should be one of the main components of every estate plan. A will specifies inheritance which is the passing on of property, titles, debts, and rights after death. A trust, of whichh there are many types, is a set of instructions for assets that can be helpful during your lifetime and after. Attend this program for a detailed review of these often misunderstood, but important, documents

Presented by: Helen Mesoloras, JD, CELA and Vida Cruz, JD

Date:  Thursday, June 24, 2021

Time:  10:00 AM – 11:00 AM

Location: Webinar

Registration: There is no cost to attend, However, advanced registration is required. Please click here to register – http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=txvqzbdab&oeidk=a07ehrd1rrod15d5a9e

Legal Planning for Living with a Chronic Medical Condition – The Good, The Bad, and The Necessary 

When you or a loved one is diagnosed with a chronic medical condition, not only do you need to prepare medically, you need to prepare legally. This session will address important documents such as Powers of Attorney, Trusts and Wills. And this session will address important questions such as what legal options are available in planning and paying for your long-term care? How can Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, and personal care contracts maximize your quality of life?

Presented by: Melissa Kallio, JD

Date: Friday, July 9th, 2021

This program is being held in connection with Chicago Hyde Park Village, and is only for their members.

Estate Planning with a Person who has Diminished Cognitive Capacity

This program, presented by a clinical neuropsychologist and a certified elder law attorney, will discuss (1) the role of a clinical neuropsychologist in objectively evaluating cognitive capacity for the purpose of estate planning (2) the primary uses and domains of a neuropsychological assessment (3) the levels of cognitive capacity needed to execute Powers of Attorney for Healthcare and Property, and other estate planning documents (4) the rights and responsibilities of an agent under power of attorney; successor trustee, and much more. Bring your questions.

Presenters: Certified Elder Law Attorney Kathryn Casey, JD, CELA and Clinical Neuropsychologist Jennifer Wilson Binotti, Psy.D.

Date: Wednesday, September 1, 2021

Time: 6:00 PM-7:30 PM

Location: Webinar

Registration for community members: There is no fee to attend. However, advanced registration is required. Please call 847-462-0885 or send an email to events@elderwerks.com

Registration for Professionals: There is a $10.00 fee to attend. 1.5 credits will be awarded to Illinois nurses, professional counselors, social workers, and nursing home administrators. Please call 847-462-0885 or send an email to events@elderwerks.com to register.