About Us

Hi Mike,

You and your network of resources have my gratitude and respect for the professionalism and empathy you all bring to such a challenging field. My brother continues to adjust to his new circumstances, but I know that he is in a safe place, feels at home, and can focus on an infinitely more manageable “scope” of concerns. He just managed to get an appointment at Kaiser (within walking distance) and was fortuitously reunited with a former primary care provider who moved there.

Joan McCreary and her team are miracle workers! Their skills in so many dimensions are epic. My brother was treated with care and respect to AND his house was cleared. Staggers the imagination!

Debra Schwartz is amazing in her attention to detail and willingness to work through the sale of a very complicated property. She, too, has a wealth of resources; given the condition of the house and the structure of his trust, I can’t imagine a more perfect real estate agent. The house closes at full price next week. His finances are set for life, I think. And just seeing the photos from the listing almost made me cry because it was so beautiful.

I feel that there’s some tangential parallel here with all the incredible talent Jon Stewart brought to late night comedy. Not only did you support me and my brother, but your network has been undaunted and virtuosic as well.

Please know what a difference you have made!

-JS, Oregon

I often work with seniors and the adult children of elderly parents who are taking over financial and caregiving responsibilities when their parents no longer wish to or are unable to handle these things. I review their insurance plans, especially their Medicare insurance coverage to make sure they have the best plan for their current or changing needs. If they have not made final arrangements, I offer them planning assistance and competitive coverage.

In a recent case, 91-year-old Mrs. R wanted to make things easy for her children at the time of her passing. We put her wishes in writing and set up a prearrangement plan that only required a phone call from her children at her death. She was also contemplating downsizing, and I was able to connect her with my vetted colleague, Mike Scoggin, who knows of all the senior communities in Santa Clara County and can recommend the residences that fit her priorities. In addition, I gave her the contact information for veteran Senior Realtor, Debra Schwartz, who specializes in the unique needs of seniors who are contemplating selling the home. Mrs. R was an artist and had collected many valuable paintings, sculpture, and art objects over the decades. She was very happy that I was able to refer her to Sharon Catalan, who specializes in appraisals and liquidating the physical property of an estate.

Working with the Platinum Senior Network members can be a valuable experience that coordinates the many services that seniors and their families require in later life pre-planning. It’s comforting to know that you are dealing with vetted compassionate professionals with years of experience in their fields.

Terry Nellis, Lic # 0B34273, Terry Nellis Insurance Services

One of my clients contacted me about Platinum Senior Network for her family that is living in Hawaii.  She knows about my involvement with this group and hoped that we had a group there that could assist her family.  I was able to reach out to my local group about her need and as a result, through some establish networks that some of our members had we were able to provide some resources for them to reach out to. Lori J. Ellingson, CRPC®, Ellingson-Furler & Associates, Financial Advisor, Investment advisor representative and registered representative of, and securities and investment advisory services offered through Voya Financial Advisors, Inc. (member SIPC). Ellingson-Furler & Associates is not a subsidiary of nor controlled by Voya Financial Advisors.

“Joan came in and we discussed my goals and started right away. She made the process so easy for me. We went room by room, and she broke it down so it was painless! She is non judgmental, a true professional. I can now come home and feel comfortable in my own house and also feel comfortable having guests. Also, she teaches valuable organizing skills that I use everyday. I highly recommend Joan for any organizing job.” M. Dean, San Jose

I am so grateful to be a member of this group.  As a Realtor who works with Senior clients, it is critical to have these resources to make sure my clients get the very best care and advise possible.  From professional organizers to estate planning attorneys, my fellow chapter members are top notch professionals and help me provide one-stop shopping for my clients. Debra Schwartz, Realtor

“There are many senior women who rely on their husbands to handle the financial aspect of the marriage. When the husband passes away, the wife is left with picking up the responsibilities of her spouse. This happened a few years ago with a client whose husband always came in and took care of the taxes. When he passed away, she called to set up the tax appointment and was very nervous about how to proceed. I went to her home and assisted her in going over the paperwork she would need to file her taxes. She calls anytime she has questions or even to confirm if a phone message she received is a scam. Sometimes she asks if it is ok for her daughter or son-in-law to come with her when she visits our office and of course they are always welcome. Knowing that I can put someone at ease and that they know they can count on me to be there for them is an added benefit to me.” Sandy Sparkman, EA & Certified Senior Advisor @ Sparkman and Company