When is it Time to Hang up the Keys?

Melanie Henry is a driving evaluator and speaker on the topics of aging and driving. She is the co-author of the best-selling book Difficult Aging in Place Conversations.  Melanie is an expert in evaluating older drivers and their skillsets.  She is the Founder and CEO of Driver Cognitive Assessment Center, LLC and is a Licensed Driving Instructor and Driver Rehabilitation Professional.  Melanie speaks all over the San Francisco Bay Area as well as nationwide.  She volunteers as an Event Coordinator and Trained Technician for the CARFiT Program in Northern California.il for End of Life Choices California and volunteers her time to support families throughout their exploration of choices at the end of their lives, including being with them on the day of ingestion of MAiD medication.

End of Life Choices California

Susan Gess, PharmD introduced the organization, End of Life Choices California, and the “no fee” services of personal support and education they provide through a dedicated team of volunteers. Her presentation highlighted two end of life topics: Medical Aid in Dying (MAiD) and Voluntary Stopping Eating & Drinking (VSED) to include their legal context, eligibility requirements, and current practices.

Susan recently retired after 28 years with Kaiser Permanente where she served as a Drug Education Coordinator with over 30 years practice experience in Clinical Pharmacy.  In 2016, when the California End of Life Option Act (often referred to as MAiD) was signed into law, she became the consulting pharmacist for the associated program at Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Susan serves on the Advisory Council for End of Life Choices California and volunteers her time to support families throughout their exploration of choices at the end of their lives, including being with them on the day of ingestion of MAiD medication.

101 Estate Plannings Basics for Professionals

This course is geared for the professional who wants a working knowledge of estate plan documents and how they work.  The following documents will be discussed in a simple and easy to understand format:  wills, living trusts, financial powers of attorney, health care directives, and deeds.

Kerry Spence, an estate planner for over 45 years, is a master at reducing this complex subject to a simple process.

Ana M. Horta

I am an immigrant, a creative, bicultural, multilingual woman, and an inquisitive problem solver. For over ten years, I have worked as a program manager and director with research and non-profit organizations in Latin America and the U.S. I am experienced in data administration, communication, and program management working in a variety of projects alongside disadvantaged populations. Throughout my career, it has been a privilege to listen, work, and collaborate with people from different socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. I enjoy bringing people together and building bridges among diverse groups by fostering trust and respect. Currently, I am the Community Relations Director for AgeWell PACE. I am honored to be part of an organization that offers comprehensive support to older adults and their caregivers so they can remain safely at home and age with dignity. 

Carolyn Tucker

As Co-Owner and Outreach Director for HomeWell of the North Bay, every day I have the privilege to coordinate one on one personal care for older adults in our community who want to thrive in the comfort of their own homes.I am the current President of the Marin Home Care Association (MHCA) and have been so for the last 3 years. I am an adviser to referral sources, families, and potential clients of the numerous solutions CA state licensed home care offers that will meet their needs and relieve their challenges. I also actively participate in and contribute to several community organizations that develop educational programs and resources for our local seniors, clients, prospects, community partners, and caregivers.

Matt White

Matt White is a partner of Monty White LLP, a personal injury and civil litigation law firm in San Rafael, California. He lectures and writes extensively for lawyers and law students on mediation, trial practice, ethics, and settlement skills. For each of the past 15 years, he has been recognized as a Northern California “Super Lawyer.” As a panelist with Resolution Remedies, he is frequently appointed by the courts and by lawyers throughout the San Francisco Bay Area to serve as a mediator, arbitrator, and discovery referee. Matt has been an adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco School of Law since 2012.

When to Call for a Geriatric Psychiatrist

Dr Grob is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist.  He received his B.A.  from University of Illinois – Chicago and M.D. from State University of New York Downstate Medical Center.  He did his Residency in Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins Hospital and Fellowship in Geriatric Psychiatry at The University of Maryland, where he stayed on as faculty for several years before moving to Sonoma County, California in 2002. He currently sees patients at Sonoma County Behavioral Health Outpatient Clinic and Crisis Stabilization Unit, Creekside Behavioral Health Inpatient Unit and at his Santa Rosa office as well as at various SNFs, RCFEs and homes in the community. Dr Grob discussed common psychiatric conditions in the older population with an emphasis on complicated dementias. He discussed various psychopharmacologic treatments including the potential therapeutic use of cannabis in this population. He hopes the audience will gain a better understanding of various mental health conditions and treatments in older adults and the role a geriatric psychiatrist may play in addressing various mental health ailments.

Marin Villages is Not a Place, It’s Many & More

John joined the Marin Villages Team as executive director in May 2021, after  three decades as a trusted authority and expert to local, state, and national  nonprofit, government, corporate and private philanthropy leaders on  community-building, nonprofit development, and volunteer engagement. For  two decades he led The Volunteer Center in San Francisco and launched the  national Board Match. He previously served as Deputy District Director for  San Jose Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren. Bay Area locally-grown, a graduate  of UC Berkeley with an MBA from Santa Clara University, John lives in  Kentfield with his partner of 26 years. An avid runner, he can be found on  trails throughout Marin. Flag him down, he’ll be glad to stop and say “hello.”

Brain Health

Dr. Diane Hoang is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist who earned her doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Nova Southeastern University. She completed her internship at the Southern Oregon VA and postdoctoral fellowship at UC Davis School of Medicine. Dr. Hoang specializes in adult and older adult neuropsychological evaluation. Further, she offers individual cognitive rehabilitation and sleep therapy to holistically address cognitive concerns that testing may reveal. Outside of clinical work, Dr. Hoang is enthusiastic about community outreach and has presented at various educational events to promote the value of neuropsychological services.

Vivalon Director of Healthy Aging Services

Stephanie joined Vivalon in December of 2021. As Director of Healthy Aging Services, Stephanie is responsible for the development of programs and services that support the health and well-being of Marin County’s older adult community. Prior to Vivalon, Stephanie held several roles at Canal Alliance, most recently as Director of Advocacy and Policy. She also served as an independent non-profit consultant, Director of Implementation Services and Director of Global Services Operations at Clarabridge, and Engagement Manager at Market Metrix. Stephanie has a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Administration from the University of San Francisco, and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.

2021 Guest Speakers