Every year, the Daily Breeze brings together experts in a variety of fields to discuss important issues relating to health, longevity and improving the quality of life.
2016 Speaker Information
11:30 am – 12:15 pm
Room 3 (2nd level)
Keynote Presentation
Finding Your Way through Life’s Hardest Times
Ira Byock, MD, Founder and Chief Medical Officer, Povidence Institute for Human Caring
People helping to care for aging parents while still raising their own children (or grandchildren) feel stretched and strained. Ironically, instead of feeling good about their commitment to provide loving care, caregivers commonly feel guilty for not doing enough. Dr. Ira Byock will layout simple, practical steps for self-care and for making sure that you and those you love are getting the best care possible.
Dr. Byock is a palliative care physician specializing in medical care for people with serious illness, focusing on providing relief from the symptoms and stress for both patient and family. Dr. Byock is an author and public advocate for improving care through the end of life. A sought-after speaker and consultant to health care organizations, Dr. Byock has been a featured guest on national television and radio programs, including NPR’s All Things Considered, Talk of the Nation, and On Being, CBS 60 Minutes, Fox and Friends, The Diane Rehm Show and PBS The News Hour.
9:30 – 10:15 am
Room 2 (2nd level)
What’s New and True in Mental Fitness?
Sharmone La Rose, Department Chair, Torrance Adult School Older Program
What does the latest research show us about maintaining our mental agility? Ms. La Rose will introduce you to practical tips, resources and games that are engaging and fun. Learn how to access creativity and reduce stress in an increasingly high tech world. Take the challenge of creating a healthy lifestyle that nourishes your brain and promotes learning.
Sharmone La Rose is a Gerontologist and Certified Memory Impairment Specialist who is a consultant and educator in the South Bay/Long Beach area. Currently the Department Chair for Torrance Adult School Older Adult Program, Ms. La Rose teaches Memory Enhancement classes, Caregiver Training and Gentle Yoga.
Torrance Adult School is an exhibitor at the expo.
9:30 – 10:15 am
Room 3 (2nd level)
Medicare 101 – Understanding Your Medicare Plan Options
Larry Plewniak, Independent Agent, AGA Medicare Options
Presented by HealthCare Partners
Medicare options can be confusing for those approaching 65. Mr. Plewniak will help to answer and clarify questions and concerns about when you are eligible, what are parts A, B, C and D, advantages and disadvantages, and guidelines for signing up. Being educated on all available options will help you make the best choice.
Larry Plewniak has 25 years of experience as an Insurance Agent and represents most major companies with a Medicare contract. He feels strongly about educating his clients on all options available, which gives them the “power to compare and the freedom to choose.”
HealthCare Partners is a Silver Sponsor and AGA Medicare Options is an exhibitor at the expo.
10:30 – 11:15 am
Room 3 (2nd level)
Successful Aging: We can do it!
Helen Dennis, Columnist,
Consultant and Aging Specialist
Aging successfully is a hefty goal that most of us share. We collectively are living a new life stage that presents unique opportunities to age well and to live a life of resilience and joy. We will address the phrase “use it or lose it” and discuss some of the components of successful aging: lifestyle and housing choices, being engaged, having a sense of purpose, meaningful relationships, use of technology and our expectations of the future. Please join us for a lively discussion and leave with at least one thing you can do — to age successfully and have fun too.
Helen Dennis is a nationally recognized leader on issues of aging, employment and retirement. She has been the recipient of numerous awards for her teaching at the Davis School at USC’s Andrus Gerontology Center and for her contributions to the field of aging, the community and literary arts. Editor of two books, author of over 50 articles, frequent speaker and weekly columnist on Successful Aging for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, she has assisted over 15,000 employees to prepare for the non-financial aspects of their retirement. Ms. Dennis is co-author of the LA Times bestseller: Project Renewment: The First Retirement Model for Career Women.
10:30 – 11:15 am
Room 2 (2nd level)
Arthritis: A Journey Through the Joints
Joe R. Gamboa M.D. and Sunil Hebbar M.D.
Arthritis is a very popular subject affecting so many – especially as we age. In this presentation, Dr. Gamboa and Dr. Hebbar will discuss Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Gout. They will provide definitions, discuss presentation of symptoms and causes, and review various treatment options. Bring your questions for the doctors for this interactive session.
Joe Gamboa, MD is affiliated with Torrance Memorial Physician Network Rheumatology. His fellowship training in Rheumatology was at Loma Linda University Medical Center.
Sunil Hebbar, MD is board certified in Family Medicine. He completed his internship and residency in Family Medicine at UCLA.
This session is presented by Torrance Memorial Health System, a Silver Sponsor at the expo.
1:30 – 2:15 pm
Room 3 (2nd level)
Navigating Medicare.gov
Vincent Kelly, Health Insurance Consultant
This informative session will provide guidance and instruction to attendees on how to navigate the official Medicare website, including the in’s-and-out’s of the system. Many valuable topics will be demonstrated such as, discovering what Medicare will cover, how to find a doctor, and how to choose the right drug plan. Come join us and learn first hand how to Navigate Medicare.gov!
Vince Kelly started his Medicare health insurance career in 1986.
He was employed with several insurance companies for over 20 years, until becoming an Independent Agent.
This session is presented by Torrance Memorial Health System, a Silver Sponsor at the expo.
12:30 – 1:15 pm
Room 2 (2nd level)
Smart Income Planning and Tax Strategies for the Complete Retirement Plan
Danial Fereydani, President, Pendo Insurance Services, Inc.
In this session, Mr. Fereydani will cover how to save up to 40% in taxes, how to protect your principal while safely meeting your income needs, and what to do to leave a tax-free legacy for your loved ones. You will also receive booklets on ”Avoiding Common Annuity Mistakes” and “What Every IRA Owner Should Know.”
Danial Fereydani, the President and founder of Pendo Insurance Services, Inc. is a licensed independent insurance advisor and a registered investment advisor affiliated with Fidelity Institutional Services. Mr. Fereydani specializes in income, liquidity and tax-efficient estate planning and focuses on helping clients achieve their long-term financial goals by understanding their specific situation and implementing a strategy accordingly.
Pendo Insurance Services, Inc., is an exhibitor at the expo.
1:30 – 2:15 pm
Room 2 (2nd level)
Senior Power – How to Defend Yourself Without a Fight
Diane A. Robinson
Author, Retired Law Enforcement Officer
Author of “The Unique Triple A™ Safety Handbook” Diane Robinson will focus on three safety program principles – ALERT, AWARE, and AVOID. The principles offer healthier and safer living by giving participants confidence, education and knowledge to equip, empower and educate themselves to know they have sensible ways out if they ever feel threatened. You will discover the five vulnerable body targets, body weapons and the “art of deception” to be AWARE, confident and better prepared to protect yourself. You will also be equipped with tools focused on ALERTNESS to AVOID possible physical contact, and learn tricks used in scams and how to AVOID them.
Diane Robinson was formerly trained in Tae Kwon Do, is a retired 35 year career law enforcement officer, and presently provides entertainment protection services. She is currently writing a series of “The Unique Triple A” safety programs for children and seniors, as well as undertaking a Doctorate in Public Administration degree.
Diane Robinson is an exhibitor at the expo.