Live Your Best Life!
The information you need to live the life you choose
RENOVATION
ORGANIZATION
FINANCES
HOUSING
BENEFITS
CONNECTION
LET US COME TO YOU!
Virtual and In-Person Presentations Available
We are a panel of experts who are committed to helping you maintain your independence by sharing our resources and expertise. Join us for FREE presentations on topics that help you live your best life: community resources, Medicare benefits, home organization, legal issues, finances, home design, real estate trends and more.
Choose your topics or let us do it for you.
Contact us today to schedule your FREE presentation
About Us
The Oregon Senior Panel was created in 2022 by Michelle Zafiris and Jackie Haddon out of a desire to help individuals 55 years and older truly understand the resources available to them at this stage of life. After extensive experiences working with seniors and navigating the caregiving process with their own loved ones , Michelle and Jackie realized that many individuals were frustrated with the lack of easily available services focused on meeting their changing needs as they aged. Whether it is finding help to go through a lifetime of possessions as they prepare to "rightsize" their life or exploring the options of moving versus making their current home more functional for their needs, the resources just aren't easy to find. In addition, many individuals feel like the companies they find are more interested in selling them a product rather than helping them understand what services best meet their needs.
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Enter Oregon Senior Panel, a carefully curated group of providers whose only goal is to provide the information and connections to the resources YOU need when YOU want them. We interviewed providers from all different fields to find the best representatives with the most extensive experience from all walks of life. A truly inclusive panel, we are proud to be able to bring customized presentations with the information most relevant to your needs. All of our panelists volunteer their time. All of our presentations are free.
Meet Our Panel
Michelle Zafiris, MBA
Retirement Mortgage Specialist Certified Senior Advisor michellezafiris@gmail.com
Michelle is dedicated to teaching seniors how to use and manage housing wealth in order to age in place and maintain an independent lifestyle. As a Certified Senior Advisor, she looks holistically at the entire aging process to help her clients make the best decisions for the next phase of life.
Jackie Haddon
Certified Aging in Place Specialist
Senior Real Estate Specialist
Licensed Realtor in OR/WA
jackie@jackiehaddonhomes.com
www.jackiehaddonhomes.com
Jackie is committed to ensuring that her clients have all the necessary information when deciding to stay in their home safely or move somewhere that better meets their needs. Whether it’s a free project consultation for renovation and resale value or contractor referrals to get the work done, she is committed to supporting her clients at every stage in their housing journey.
Lis focuses on education and helping clients understand the intricacies of Medicare. In her FREE one-on-one meetings with clients, her job is to listen to and understand her client's values and lifestyle. She creates an individualized cost-comparison to help clients find the best plan for their needs and save money on their health care.
Lis Baccigalupi
Licensed Medicare Specialist help@mymedicareprofessor.com
Diana Zapata
Designer
Aging in Place Specialist www.zapatadesignpdx.com
Diana is an Interior Designer/Builder and experienced remodeler. Her Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) designation comes in handy when helping clients reach their goal of aging in place, or simply creating a more welcoming home for honored family members and friends. A beautiful design is an integral part of achieving that goal. Diana helps her clients make those changes before they are required, allowing them to be proactive about their design choices.
Whitney Yazzolino
Attorney
Oregon Elder Law www.oregonelderlaw.com
As a partner with Oregon Elder Law, Whitney’s practice focuses on guardianships and conservatorships, estate and tax planning, probate and trust administration, and Medicaid and special needs planning. She currently serves on the Oregon State Bar Estate Planning Executive Committee and the Board of the Hollywood Senior Center. She is a regular volunteer through the Multnomah County Senior Law Clinic and Milwaukie Senior Center.
Julie Meyer-Rowett
Attorney
Oregon Elder Law www.oregonelderlaw.com
As a partner with Oregon Elder Law, Julie’s expertise includes estate planning and administration, protective proceedings, special needs planning, Medicaid, and planning for long-term care. Julie is a frequent presenter at continuing legal education events, presenting on diverse topics including Medicaid, Income Cap Trusts and guardianships and conservatorship. She currently serves on the Oregon State Bar Elder Law Executive Committee.
As a remodeler, Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) and caregiver for his elderly grandmother, Alan understands what it means when a family member's needs require home renovation. He brings his expertise to every project to help his clients understand the realities of renovation and the satisfaction of creating a home that works for them.
Alan Pierce
Remodeler/Contractor
Aging in Place Specialist
ReVive Works Remodeling www.reviveworkspdx.com
With over 20 years of professional experience in the private, non-profit and government settings, Lupine is passionate about connecting historically underserved community members with resources to age in place successfully.
Lupine DeSnyder
lupine@oregonseniorpanel.com
Dana is the founder of Age With a Plan. She holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, and has been a medical social worker since 2002. Dana provides advocacy and emotional support to families as they make important, and sometimes, difficult life decisions. Dana believes in using a holistic and compassionate approach with long-term life planning. Each plan is personalized to each client’s unique situation.
Presentations
Home Organizing - It Doesn't Have to be so Stressful!
Is the idea of going through a lifetime of memories overwhelming you? Let our expert panelists share resources for how to make the whole process easier. Professionals in home organization and decluttering will share their skills for how to get the most out of your time. Learn about estate sale planning and how to consign or auction high end pieces.
Accessible design - Create A Beautiful Home That Works for Everyone
Can your family and friends safely visit your home? Are you or a loved one finding that your home design doesn't work as well as it used to? Hear from remodeling and design experts on the best ways to increase your home's function and enhance your design. Real estate professionals can share how accessible design renovations can add to your home's value when it comes time to sell.
Finding Financial Freedom - Plan for Your Best Life
Hear from leading experts in estate planning and mortgage lending about how your existing assets can be maximized for your future! Learn about ways to use the equity in your home and retirement funds to free yourself from worries about your future. Let our panel of experts in estate planning explain the financial and legal implications of how your decision now can affect the ones you love.
Demystify Your Benefits - The Truth About Medicare and Social Security
How much do you really know about your options when it coms to Medicare or Social Security? Our panel of professionals can help you understand how to make the best choice for your unique situation and clarify common misconceptions about these complex benefit programs.
Finding Supportive Community - Making Connections That Last
Is it getting harder to find places to connect with others? Our panel will share ways to connect you with programs and resources that make life feel full. Want to learn a new skill? Do you enjoy meeting new people but feel out of practice? Interested in volunteering in your community but not sure if there is a place for you? Or maybe you need someone to talk to about your changes in your life. We have connections and can help you take the next step.
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Aging in Place - Sharing Space
Would a little help with the mortgage, and maybe support with some of the household tasks, keep you comfortably in your home? Learn about the journey of home sharing and how you, as a homeowner or homeseeker, can gain financial resilience, a secure home and sense of community.
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Caring For Aging Relatives
Learn from aging professionals about the steps and structure needed to support your loved ones as their needs change during the aging process. Explore the reality of caregiver burnout and the critical need for selfcare. This presentation provides tangible skills and resources to address aging in place, safety planning and financial planning.
Choose Your Own Adventure - Topics that Work for You
Do you have an idea for a presentation? Our wide range of panelists can make it happen. Share your ideas and we will custom design a presentation that meets the needs of your community.
Resources
Under Construction - stay tuned for updated resources
Aging and Disability Resource Connection of Oregon (ADRC)
When you are looking for information about services to address aging or disability needs, the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) of Oregon can help you learn about local public and privately paid options.
Northwest Pilot Project (NWPP)
NWPP works with very low and extremely low-income seniors in Multnomah County to help them keep and find housing they can afford.