Mark E. Wight, J.D.
Attorney and Founder, Idaho Estate Planning
Mark, Founder and President of Idaho Estate Planning, is passionate about helping families plan for their futures. Mark has a degrees in philosophy and environmental studies from Utah State University and a law degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University.
An expert on estate and legacy planning as well as asset protection and tax planning, he has co-authored several manuals for attorneys in the areas of Probate Administration, Estate and Estate Tax Planning, and Asset Protection. His book, “Get Real: Planning for Life, Death, and Disability” is available on Amazon.com. Mark is also an often requested speaker and facilitator on the same topics.
Mark and his wife of 41 years reside in Boise and have six children, and six grandchildren.
Event Host and Panel Mediator
Catherine L. Owens
Owner of CLO Consulting, Senior Living Expert, and Author of Be Your Own Hero: Senior Living Decisions Simplified
Catherine L. Owens is an internationally award winning Author of the books Be Your Own Hero: Senior Living Decisions Simplified and Shine On You Crazy Diamond: Even When Your Crown Feels Heavy.
Catherine is a nationally recognized Senior Living industry expert and has worked in a variety of roles in Senior Living including leadership, staff training, sales and marketing, and corporate development. Along with her book, Be Your Own Hero: Senior Living Decisions Simplified, Catherine has been published and featured in national industry journals, is a regular guest on national and local radio shows and speaks to audiences about understanding and navigating senior living decisions. Her extensive knowledge and in-depth experience of providing for seniors’ needs has created successful outcomes for seniors and their families, helping them make choices that encapsulate the hopes and dreams aimed at living fully rather than just making a change in location.
Catherine has received local and national awards for her book Be Your Own Hero: Senior Living Decisions Simplified, a book she wrote with the hope of addressing the misconceptions surrounding senior living and to create a movement of knowledgeable and independent seniors who research their options early.
Catherine is a 2017 recipient of the Tribute to Women and Industry (TWIN) Award which honors women who have excelled in their field and made significant contributions to their industry.
What is Long Term Care and who needs it? October 18, 2023, 9:00 a.m.
Teresa Haldorson MN, RN
Senior Nursing Consultant, Owner of Optimal Aging-Boise
Throughout her evolving nursing career, Theresa has acquired 20+ years of experience in a variety of healthcare settings from high acuity acute care to community health settings. Since obtaining her Master’s in Nursing from the UWB, Teresa has advocated and collaborated with nursing students and faculty to enhance the quality of nursing education and student learning. Honing her leadership and educator skills in the classroom, skills lab and clinical settings, was both challenging and rewarding. Teresa’s involvement in the nursing program included obtaining accreditation by the American Commission of Education in Nursing (ACEN), being awarded a tenure-track position, serving as the interim director, as well as, establishing and reinforcing community partnerships to promote nursing education
Ok, What Long Term Care Am I Going To Need And How Do I Plan For It? October 18, 2023, 11:15 a.m.
Carly Ward, JD
Associate Attorney, Idaho Estate Planning
Carly Ward, JD, received her law degree from Concordia University School of Law and her undergraduate degree in political science from Brigham Young University-Idaho. While Carly has been an integral part of the Idaho Estate Planning since 2019, her passion for helping families make long term estate plans, protect their assets, solve complicated care and estate problems, probate and Medicaid is evident. She’s received comprehensive training in Medicaid and continuing education in Idaho Estate Administration, Sales of Businesses to Outsiders and Business Law Essentials.
Is Long Term Care Part of My Estate Plan? October 18, 2023, 1:30 p.m.
Dee Childers, MA, CMC
Founder, Life Changes Elder Care Consulting, LLC
Dee founded Life Changes Elder Care Consulting after experiencing the challenges of helping her parents move from an independent lifestyle to assisted living due to infirmity and memory loss. She saw very clearly what many others have seen — the lack of readily available information and resources for helping a senior family member. It became clear to her that with our aging population, many others would also find themselves feeling clueless and overwhelmed with the responsibilities of senior care giving.
Dee is a NACCM Certified Care Manager (CMC), earned a BS in Psychology from the University of Utah and a MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from the Phillips Graduate Institute. She comes to this profession from 30 years in corporate America as a Human Resources Executive with extensive experience in interpersonal dynamics, crisis management, conflict resolution, mediation, benefits, and health and safety. She worked as a Marriage and Family Therapist for six years. She has been a caregiver for many years to her parents and others, and personally understands the demands and emotional turmoil of care giving and the tolls it takes on you, your aging loved one and the family. She is a court ordered Guardian and Conservator, experience with the legal and medical system. She is a certified Elder Mediatory and volunteer for the Alzheimer’s Association.
Ok, What Long Term Care Am I Going To Need And How Do I Plan For It?
October 18, 2023, 11:15 a.m.
Robert Vande Merwe
Executive Director, Idaho Health Care Association
Robert became the Executive Director of IHCA in January 2001. He has an MBA from the University of Utah, a B.S. in Psychology, and a Gerontology Certificate also from the University of Utah. He was an administrator of a skilled nursing facility in Eastern Idaho for four years where he served on the Board of Directors for IHCA. Robert also worked in assisted living for three years.
Whoa, What Exactly Is Long Term Care Going To Cost?
October 18, 2023, 10:00 a.m.
Curt Haldorson, CFP, CLTC, CLU
First Vice President and Wealth Advisor, The Carillon Point Group at Morgan Stanley
As a CFP™ of the The Carillon Point Group at Morgan Stanley, I help create goals based financial plans, provide asset management, cash management solutions and lending solutions with assistance from our private bankers. As a CLU, I am involved with pension maximization, annuity, life and long-term care insurance.
Our team knows that clients need more than just portfolio advice, they needed assistance with complex life issues. Our team provides comprehensive wealth management through family legacy estate planning strategies. We focus on developing multi-generational financial plans to help establish clear wealth transfer that help maximize your goals and dreams.
I am the analytical part of our team. Challenging logistical and planning situations is where I thrive! Given the complexities and pace of everyday life, I can help make sense and articulate the goals-based life planning and investment strategy necessary to help you succeed.
How Am I Going To Pay For Long Term Care? October 18, 2023, 12:30 p.m.