The Red Wagon Estate Planning & Elder Law Show Jeffrey Bellomo

Today, many seniors live longer—often farther away from family—and want to avoid continuing care retirement communities (CCRC). They’d rather age at home in familiar surroundings. But, aging at home usually requires some degree of assistance, which can be difficult to find.
Jeff’s guest, Melissa Ressler, is the executive director of Lancaster Downtowners, a special and creative membership-based group that enables seniors to age at home.  
Learn more at www.lancasterdowntowners.org or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lancasterdowntowners/. You can reach Melissa directly at (717) 584-1224. 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
(00:00) Podcast introduction. 
(02:04) Dependent largely on volunteers, Lancaster Downtowners is a village model nonprofit—one of over 300 across the country—that makes it possible for people to age at home in their community.  
(02:58) Many members live in an apartment or condo, but others live a little farther out and some even have a bit of land. 
(03:43) Instead of providing the range of services you’d get in CCRC, a village provides social connections and support with everyday tasks.  
(03:56) Lancaster Downtowners offers three types of help. Social connections: events, support groups, walking groups, etc. “Just One Call” program: transportation, technology assistance, etc. Home and life maintenance: yardwork, snow shoveling, medical notetaking, etc.  
(07:18) There are about eight villages in Pennsylvania. The newest one serves York County.
(07:51) Membership fees are tiered based on income. Dues range from $0 to $15 per month.  
(08:17) Call or fill out an application on the website to see if membership makes sense for you. For some needs, the team will connect you with other service providers (e.g., Meals on Wheels) to help you thrive at home.  
(10:58) The service provider directory includes only those recommended by other members.  
(12:04) Some members have given up their vehicles. Weekly grocery shopping trips, medical appointments, and all kinds of errands are manageable with volunteer drivers.  
(18:42) The Lancaster Downtowners serves all of Lancaster County with a concentration in metro Lancaster. 
 
ABOUT BELLOMO & ASSOCIATES
Jeffrey R. Bellomo, the founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master’s degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. He explains complex legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language.
Bellomo & Associates is committed to providing education so that what happened to the Bellomo family doesn’t happen to your family. We conduct free workshops on estate planning, crisis planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Visit our website (https://bellomoassociates.com/) to learn more.
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED Bellomo & Associates workshops:https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/
Life Care Planning The Three Secrets of Estate Planning Nuts & Bolts of Medicaid For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390.
Connect with Bellomo & Associates on Social Media
Tune in Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Eastern to WSBA radio: https://www.newstalkwsba.com/
X (formerlyTwitter):https://twitter.com/bellomoassoc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BellomoAssociates
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bellomoassociates
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellomoassociates/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellomoandassociates
WAYS TO WORK WITH JEFFREY BELLOMO
Contact Us:https://bellomoassociates.com/contact/
Practice areas:https://bellomoassociates.com/practice-areas/
 
 

Jeff answers some questions that have been coming up in our conference rooms, workshops, and elsewhere. Generally, if a couple of people ask the same question, then we know that other people are thinking it, too. And, since we’re dedicated to education here at Bellomo & Associates, we like to jump in right away and clear up any confusion that might be out there. We want everyone to understand the tactics we recommend—and why we recommend them—for estate planning, elder law, and asset protection.  
 
What You Need to Know 
(00:00) Podcast introduction. 
(02:37) Bellomo & Associates says the firm offers free workshops, but I'm skeptical because “nothing is free.” So, what’s the catch? 
(04:04) I don't have children. How can I find someone to act as my financial power of attorney and/or medical power of attorney? Executor? Backup trustee? To whom should I leave my assets? What about tax consequences? 
(11:00) Should I even worry about estate planning if I don’t have children?  
(12:08) Estate planning workshops conducted by non-lawyers (i.e., financial advisors, insurance representatives, etc.) seem to be growing in popularity. Should I consider attending these workshops? 
(18:06) Bellomo & Associates recommends that I use estate planning and elder law attorneys to protect my assets. But other people have told me to avoid lawyers, probate, and the related costs. I don’t know what to believe. What is probate anyway? Please help me understand. 
(28:02) Do I really need to use an attorney who is certified?
 
About Bellomo & Associates
Jeffrey R. Bellomo, the founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master’s degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. He explains complex legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language.

Bellomo & Associates is committed to providing education so that what happened to the Bellomo family doesn’t happen to your family. We conduct free workshops on estate planning, crisis planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Visit our website (https://bellomoassociates.com/) to learn more.
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED Bellomo & Associates workshops:https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/
Life Care Planning The Three Secrets of Estate Planning Nuts & Bolts of Medicaid For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390.
Connect with Bellomo & Associates on Social Media
Tune in Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Eastern to WSBA radio: https://www.newstalkwsba.com/
X (formerlyTwitter):https://twitter.com/bellomoassoc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BellomoAssociates
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bellomoassociates
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellomoassociates/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellomoandassociates
WAYS TO WORK WITH JEFFREY BELLOMO
Contact Us:https://bellomoassociates.com/contact/
Practice areas:https://bellomoassociates.com/practice-areas/
 
 
 

Carolyn (Carrie) Pugh brings a breadth of knowledge and a team-oriented attitude to Bellomo & Associates. In addition to her work in elder law and estate planning, she has extensive experience in family law, youth advocacy, and Social Security disability, among other disciplines. She loves people and helping others, but animals figure prominently in her life as well. Carrie studied animal science at Penn State before receiving her degree from Dickinson Law. She is active in her local community and, as you will hear, greatly values the community she has found at Bellomo & Associates.  
 
What You Need to Know 
(00:00) Episode introduction.
(04:15) Carrie’s first job as an attorney was a clerkship with the Honorable Joseph C. Adams, who encouraged her to take up family law after clerking. Eventually she began representing foster children and youth and served as a mediator and conciliator in custody cases. 
(06:33) When Carrie connected with Bellomo & Associates, she realized that elder law and estate planning and her work with children and youth offered similar rewards—helping and educating others. 
(08:19) Carrie loves participating in Bellomo’s workshops because afterward the attendees are much more knowledgeable and understand the process. 
(09:37) Carrie is a long-time horse lover who competed when she was younger, but now is content trail riding with her dog by her side.  
(14:54) Carrie’s family has a place at Moosehead Lake in Maine. It's near the end of the Appalachian Trail and has been the family’s vacation home since 1965. 
(19:20) Carrie loves Bellomo & Associate’s atmosphere of caring, teamwork, and supportiveness—everyone is always looking out for each other as well as the clients. 
(24:53) Jeff has received tremendous feedback about Carrie from clients. In addition to the workshops, informal events like the annual picnic offer team members and clients key opportunities to strengthen their relationships.  
(27:38) Whether it’s adding new team members or new clients, the best outcomes happen when everyone feels comfortable and is free to be themselves.
 
About Bellomo & Associates
Jeffrey R. Bellomo, the founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master’s degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. He explains complex legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language.
Bellomo & Associates is committed to providing education so that what happened to the Bellomo family doesn’t happen to your family. We conduct free workshops on estate planning, crisis planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Visit our website (https://bellomoassociates.com/) to learn more.
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED Bellomo & Associates workshops:https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/
Life Care Planning The Three Secrets of Estate Planning Nuts & Bolts of Medicaid For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390.
Connect with Bellomo & Associates on Social Media
Tune in Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Eastern to WSBA radio: https://www.newstalkwsba.com/
X (formerlyTwitter):https://twitter.com/bellomoassoc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BellomoAssociates
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bellomoassociates
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellomoassociates/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellomoandassociates
WAYS TO WORK WITH JEFFREY BELLOMO
Contact Us:https://bellomoassociates.com/contact/
Practice areas:https://bellomoassociates.com/practice-areas/
 
 
 

Jeff welcomes retired attorney and businessperson Susan Hunter. Before developing a state-of-the-art indoor dog park and boarding-grooming-training facility in Nevada, Susan ran a successful elder law firm in Indiana. Back then, Susan and Jeff took time from their practices to co-teach a systematized approach of practice to elder law, estate planning, and asset protection attorneys. Through their work as Lawyers with Purpose® members, Susan and Jeff significantly contributed to what is now a nationwide network of highly skilled and effective estate and elder law attorneys.
BARK! Canine Club & Resort:  Call (702) 306-6146 or visit https://barkcanineclub.com/
Indiana Estate & Elder Law:  https://www.indianaestateelderlaw.com/

Lawyers with Purpose®:  https://www.lawyerswithpurpose.com/ 
 
What You Need to Know 
(00:00) Episode introduction.
(03:05) Susan’s former partners and successors, Justin Schuhmacher and Jenny Rozelle, have renamed the firm to Indiana Estate and Elder Law.  
(04:14) Susan and her husband started BARK! Canine Club & Resort. The 14-acre-complex includes a state-of-the-art facility for boarding, grooming, and training and a 5,000-square-foot indoor dog park designed for comfort and safety out of the desert heat.
(09:26) The Mesquite BARK Foundation is a 501C3 that benefits dogs all over Southern Nevada and Southern Utah.  
(11:07) Susan developed an interest in elder law when she saw that her grandmother needed assistance with elder law issues but didn't trust attorneys.  
(12:26) Susan’s professional turning point came when she connected with Lawyers with Purpose (LWP).  
(18:07) The best way to learn something is to teach it. 
(19:47) Susan helped Jeff see how a maintenance program would benefit his clients. This led to The Red Wagon Club.
(23:56) As co-trainers for LWP, Jeff and Susan helped grow a network of lawyers who can say, “yes, I will find you someone who does it the way we do it.” 
(27:16) The business practices taught by LWP are transferable, universal practices.
 
About Bellomo & Associates
Jeffrey R. Bellomo, the founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master’s degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. He explains complex legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language.
Bellomo & Associates is committed to providing education so that what happened to the Bellomo family doesn’t happen to your family. We conduct free workshops on estate planning, crisis planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Visit our website (https://bellomoassociates.com/) to learn more.
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED Bellomo & Associates workshops:https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/
Life Care Planning The Three Secrets of Estate Planning Nuts & Bolts of Medicaid For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390.
Connect with Bellomo & Associates on Social Media
Tune in Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Eastern to WSBA radio: https://www.newstalkwsba.com/
X (formerlyTwitter):https://twitter.com/bellomoassoc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BellomoAssociates
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bellomoassociates
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellomoassociates/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellomoandassociates
WAYS TO WORK WITH JEFFREY BELLOMO
Contact Us:https://bellomoassociates.com/contact/
Practice areas:https://bellomoassociates.com/practice-areas/
 
 
 

Jeff’s guest is Julie Cassaday, a certified life coach and Level II Reiki Healer, whose unique approach to personal development and empowerment has transformed lives. Julie helps individuals reveal the best of themselves by untangling the obstacles to their goals. In addition to private coaching and Reiki, her work extends to communication and organizational training in workshops, webinars, and retreats. Her dynamic presence makes her a favorite keynote speaker with groups of all kinds and sizes. With a distinctive set of skills and a gift for connecting with others, Julie also is a passionate advocate for caregivers, an underserved group that both provides and deserves special care.
Connect with Julie Cassaday of Tanglewood Life Coaching on Facebook and LinkedIn. Or, reach out by phone, email, or her website.
Call: (443) 250-6360
E-mail: julie@tanglewoodlifecoaching.com
Website: https://www.tanglewoodlifecoaching.com/
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 
(00:00) Episode introduction.
(02:44) Julie gives the background on Tanglewood and how it got its name. She believes her work is to help people clear away the brush to reveal the best version of themselves.
(04:54) She studied mass communications and organizational and broadcast communications in college. Here studies revealed a love of connecting with people.
(06:01) Julie jumped at the chance to give up a 30-year career in sales so that she could pursue work as a life coach.
(07:11) Having two parents with dementia led Julie to the Alzheimer’s Association and, eventually, a Reiki certification.
(10:34) As a communications trainer, Julie speaks at employee development classes, conferences, etc. She offers a selection of popular sessions or custom-designed programs.
(13:03) Life coaching is meeting someone where they are today, assessing their goals, and reminding them of who they are at their core. 
(16:07) Having served as a caregiver for her parents while parenting her own children, Julie understands the demands. This drives her to advocate for caregivers of all types.
(22:28) Julie is seeing an increase in dementia in people under 65, which is especially devastating emotionally and financially.

 
ABOUT BELLOMO & ASSOCIATES
Jeffrey R. Bellomo, the founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master’s degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. He explains complex legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language.
Bellomo & Associates is committed to providing education so that what happened to the Bellomo family doesn’t happen to your family. We conduct free workshops on estate planning, crisis planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Visit our website (https://bellomoassociates.com/) to learn more.
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED Bellomo & Associates workshops:https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/
Life Care Planning The Three Secrets of Estate Planning Nuts & Bolts of Medicaid For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390.
Connect with Bellomo & Associates on Social Media
Tune in Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Eastern to WSBA radio: https://www.newstalkwsba.com/
X (formerlyTwitter):https://twitter.com/bellomoassoc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BellomoAssociates
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bellomoassociates
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellomoassociates/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellomoandassociates
WAYS TO WORK WITH JEFFREY BELLOMO
Contact Us:https://bellomoassociates.com/contact/
Practice areas:https://bellomoassociates.com/practice-areas/
 
 

Finding the right senior living community for yourself or a family member can be overwhelming, emotional, and time-consuming. Assisted Living Locators is a nationwide network that helps seniors find the community that best meets their needs. Rick Campomizzi, owner of the local Harrisburg-based office, provides free, personalized service and expert guidance through what can be a maze of confusing options.  
To learn more, call Rick at (717) 802-1074, email rickc@assistedlivinglocators.com, or visit https://assistedlivinglocators.com/harrisburg.  
 
What You Need to Know  
(00:00) Episode introduction. 
(03:52) Rick is familiar with a range of care communities, including independent living, personal care, memory care, assisted living, and skilled nursing communities.  
(05:26) Rick’s service is free. His PA coverage spans five counties and 155-160 senior living communities. 
(06:23) Rick starts with an assessment of the senior’s needs and desired geographic area. He provides an overview and pricing for a few select communities and then sets up tours as desired. He goes along on the tours and advocates for the family.  
(09:42) Rick serves multiple counties in south central PA and any county that is not handled by another franchise. When another area is covered, Rick will work with his counterpart to help the senior find the right fit.
(12:24) Some seniors don’t have family or don’t have family in the area. Those who help seniors navigate the complexities of elder care resources provide an invaluable service.  
(14:06) Rick keeps current on the different communities, the staff, and the leadership. He watches for changes that could affect performance and is careful about the recommendations he makes.  
(18:50) Different communities offer different service levels. Understanding these details is key to good decision-making. 
(20:05) Don't underestimate the power of socialization and activities. Today’s senior living communities are not what they used to be.  
 
About Bellomo & Associates
Jeffrey R. Bellomo, the founder of Bellomo & Associates, is a licensed and certified elder law attorney with a master’s degree in taxation and a certificate in estate planning. He explains complex legal and financial topics in easy-to-understand language.
Bellomo & Associates is committed to providing education so that what happened to the Bellomo family doesn’t happen to your family. We conduct free workshops on estate planning, crisis planning, Medicaid planning, special needs planning, probate administration, and trust administration. Visit our website (https://bellomoassociates.com/) to learn more.
 
LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED Bellomo & Associates workshops:https://bellomoassociates.com/workshops/
Life Care Planning The Three Secrets of Estate Planning Nuts & Bolts of Medicaid For more information, call us at (717) 845-5390.
Connect with Bellomo & Associates on Social Media
Tune in Saturdays at 7:30 a.m. Eastern to WSBA radio: https://www.newstalkwsba.com/
X (formerlyTwitter):https://twitter.com/bellomoassoc
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/BellomoAssociates
Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/bellomoassociates
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/bellomoassociates/
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/bellomoandassociates
WAYS TO WORK WITH JEFFREY BELLOMO
Contact Us:https://bellomoassociates.com/contact/
Practice areas:https://bellomoassociates.com/practice-areas/