Events

The Master Builders Association of Snohomish and King Counties is pleased to present a variety of free consumer classes to assist with your home projects. Click here to look for classes by subject or click here for a printable listing of upcoming classes. Be sure to invite a friend!

For the next 20 years, 9,000 to 10,000Washington residents will turn 65 every month. Learn the many options available for seniors, including housing (from independent living communities to memory care), in-home care and remodeling options to secure a safer home environment. Learn how to discuss with seniors the right time to move or seek in-home care. Learn more about the costs and services available to meet your specific needs.

Four Program Takeaways:

1. Warning signs to look for in seniors
2. How to convince a parent to move
3. Knowledge of the transition process
4. The real costs of care

Length of program:

1 hour, including Q&A

Speakers:

Terry Fontaine, Representative, CHOICE Advisory Services
Master Builders Association member Terry Fontaine has been in the job placement industry for 25 years. She worked for one of the top companies in the Puget Sound area for 18 years placing administrative staff. She was a partner and then a business owner for eight years supporting local businesses with their staffing needs and has more than three years of experience with CHOICE assisting with senior in-home care and searching for assisted living, adult family homes and memory care communities.

Linda Fuhrman, Representative, CHOICE Advisory Services
Master Builders Association member Linda Fuhrman has over 30 years in sales and marketing in the computer industry. Having experienced challenges relating to the illnesses and changing needs of aging parents, Linda switched gears to serve others. Beginning as a volunteer in an adult family home and then to assisted living and memory care for a national organization, Linda learned first-hand about the stress and concern of those who are making decisions for elderly family members. Over the last three years, Linda has been serving as a liaison between the families and the resources they need for their elderly family members.

Les Ostermeier, Founder, CHOICE Advisory Services
Master Builders Association member Les Ostermeier started CHOICE Advisory Services in 1993. The idea to create this personalized service stemmed from a combination of his educational and work experience. While attending Michigan State University for Hotel & Institutional Management, he minored in marketing. His awareness of offering services of interest to consumers was broadened through his 10-year career as a manager of hotels and conference centers. Along with his experience in admissions and marketing for a Kirkland-based retirement and assisted-living community, Les recognized the need to specifically define options for seniors and their families. Although the Puget Sound is rich with housing and care options, the varying services and pricing plans are complex. Les felt it was in the best interest of consumers and the senior housing and care providers to assemble a group of individuals who could ask appropriate questions to better define the list of options. Les has also served as a consultant and director of eight local retirement and assisted-living communities over the past 18 years.