It’s a topic that keeps many up at night: What will I do if I need care? Where will I go? How much will it cost? Trying to understand the spectrum of senior living—from retirement communities to assisted living to skilled nursing and more—can feel like tumbling down a rabbit hole.

On February 15, Lauren O’Brien, CFP®, CPA®, led us through a conversation with a panel of senior living specialists on the considerations when evaluating your options, how to talk about it with family members, and how to arm yourself with information and the questions to ask as you proactively design this stage of life.

Lauren O’Brien, CFP®, CPA®

Lauren O’Brien, CFP®, CPA® is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional committed to helping her clients on their life journeys with thorough financial planning. She partners with clients to design a retirement roadmap so that clients feel reassured in the financial decisions they make and execute. Lauren’s journey afforded her opportunities to work on three continents with several prestigious firms, including Wells Fargo Advisors, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and Deloitte. Committed to community, she founded Alexandria’s first exclusively community-focused TEDx program. She is active with her alma mater, the University of Notre Dame, focusing on programs encouraging empowerment and leadership development. She currently serves at George Mason University on the Financial Planning & Wealth Management advisory board.

Kristina Pare

Kristina Pare is a Certified Marketing Professional with 25+ years of experience working in aging services. A native Washingtonian, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science/Community Health Education. Kristina has thoughtfully aligned with the very best senior living organizations in the Mid-Atlantic, Beginning with Ingleside at Rock Creek, a CARF accredited CCRC in Washington, D.C. During 10 years at IRC, she transitioned from Development Director to Marketing & Admissions Director. She played a critical role in the community's repositioning and rebranding, successfully pre-marketed a 112 apartment expansion project and supported the launch of Westminster at Lake Ridge in Northern Virginia. In 2018, Kristina joined the Mather organization as Director of Sales for The Mather, a forward thinking, luxury Life Plan Community opening in the Tysons/McLean area in 2024. 

Leila Orndorff 

Leila Orndorff is the Sales Counselor at Shenandoah Valley Westminster-Canterbury in Winchester, VA and has served in this role for nearly twelve years. She began in the Communications and Personal Relations side of the organization briefly before moving into the sales position, enabling her to further relationship-building opportunities with prospective residents and their families as they navigate this next chapter in their lives. Leila studied English at Lynchburg College in Lynchburg, VA. Along with her husband and two daughters, Leila enjoys living, working, and playing in the northern Shenandoah Valley. 

*This webinar is for educational and informational purposes only. Content is not intended to be a recommendation or solicitation for the sale or investment in any product, strategy or service nor should it be perceived as individual advice.