Senior Living Foundation’s Biennial Planning for Change Seminar

 

On September 15, 2016, the Senior Living Foundation (SLF) held its biennial Planning for Change Seminar. The goal of the event is to inform attendees and help them prepare for various challenges they may face as they age. SLF Chairman Marc Grossman welcomed attendees and introduced a diverse group of speakers before turning the program over to moderator Jim Eden, Chairman of the Eden Group.

Dr. Steve Miller, Chief Medical Officer of Express Scripts, discussed the rising costs of prescription drugs and what innovations can be expected in drug therapies in the years ahead. He also provided useful information about the increase in antibiotic resistance and what can be done to combat it. (Hint: Wash your hands.)  

Dorothy Briggs, Director of Clinical Health Services at Aetna, and David Fortuna, a medical social worker at Sibley Memorial Hospital, provided information on what resources are available to patients during hospital confinement and when discharged from the hospital. Ms. Briggs discussed case management services provided by insurance carriers to assist in coordinating care in the hospital and during any necessary rehabilitation and therapy. Mr. Fortuna talked about the role of the discharge planning staff in arranging for follow-up care when a patient leaves the hospital. Following their brief presentations, they engaged with the audience in a discussion moderated by SLF Social Work Consultant Kate Aubert.

Dr. Charles Rosenfarb, Medical Director for the Bureau of Medical Services in the Department of State, is a trained gerontologist and presented on nutrition and digestive health for seniors. He concluded his presentation with an overview of changes at MED in recent years.

The day ended with presentations by Jeffrey Mounts, Managing Director for Global Compensation in the Office of the Comptroller/Global Financial Services at the Department of State, and Jonathan Kinney of the law firm Bean, Kinney & Korman. Mr. Mounts discussed annuities and the process for accessing the online system. Mr. Kinney provided an in-depth discussion of wills, trusts, and estate planning.

SLF plans to hold its next Planning for Change Seminar in 2018. To learn more about the Foundation and its work, please visit www.SLFoundation.org.

 

Kyle Longton

Chief Operating Officer, AFSPA

Deputy Director, Senior Living Foundation of the American Foreign Service