Conference Schedule
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Monday, May 7
6:30pm-8:30pm
Memory Magic
Paul Mellor, President, Success Links
Learn fun and fast principles on remembering names and faces, overcoming absent-mindedness, and techniques on getting through the day without the fear of forgetting.
Tuesday, May 8
8:30am-10:00am
MIOSHA Standards: How the Inspection Process is Designed to Protect Residents and Staff
Debra Gundry, Occupational Safety Consultant, MIOSHA
Discover MIOSHA's inspection process and the hazards that are commonly cited by MIOSHA's enforcement officers. Also, learn about services to employers from the Consultation, Education and Training Division of MIOSHA.
Where Does This Road Go? Navigating Assisted Living Through Difficult Intersections
Gregory Bator, Attorney at Law, Bator Gwinn, PC
Stay on the right road for your organization! As our population ages and grows, it is time to re-examine whether you are on the right path. Does your license fit your operations for tomorrow? Should you be growing a home care agency? Is your need for staffing placing toxic employees in your organization? This session will guide you through these and other late-breaking intersections.
Protection Against Mail & Phone Scams
Angela Branch, Department Analyst, Michigan Department of Attorney General
Learn about common scams initiated over the phone or through mail/email and how to reduce incoming phone calls and junk mail. Also, learn where and how to report a scam.
Michigan's Pain Management and Palliative Care Program: Implications for Long-Term Care Settings
Susan Affholter, MPH, Pain Management and Palliative Care Coordinator, Bureau of Health Professions, Michigan Department of Community Health
Learn why pain is a public health issue and review major findings of Michigan surveys on pain. Also, learn about Michigan's unique efforts to improve pain and symptom management and describe common barriers to good pain care. Learn important actions you can take to alleviate the pain of residents.
Training Tips to Reduce Your Evacuation Time
Art Shaw, Owner, A. Shaw and Associates, LLC
Evacuation times have become an important element of fire safety. Learn how to evaluate the abilities of your residents, staff and physical plant to identify actions to improve your evacuation times. This program will also include the importance of emergency planning, the minimum elements of a plan as well as staff training tips and resources.
The SilverSneakers Experience: Fitness, Fun & Friends
Kristine Howard, Senior Account Manager, Healthways Health Support, Inc.
Come and learn about the nation's leading exercise program for older adults! Being as active as possible, and sometimes just getting out and meeting new people, can do wonders for the well-being of seniors. This workshop will let you experience the SilverSneakers Fitness Program, which offers your residents a place for fitness, fun and friends. Learn about how the program is offered at no cost through many Medicare health plans.
Understanding the Authority of Surrogate Decision-Makers: Guardianship, Conservatorship, POA and DPOA
Bradley Geller, Attorney at Law, Assistant Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Learn alternative methods of surrogate decision making. There are a variety of legal tools that provide power for one person to make a decision on behalf of another person, whether it is about health care or finances. This workshop will explain the various documents and the legal limitations of each including guardianship, conservatorship, power of attorney and durable power of attorney, and will also cover the responsibilities of both parties and the person or agency being asked to honor those documents.
10:00am-10:30am
Break
10:30am-Noon
The Magic Is You: Inspired Organizational Performance through Individuals
Ken Wasco, Marketing Professional Development, Gordon Food Service
Learn how harnessing the power of change opens up possibilities, dispels natural resistance, and unlocks the potential for positive results. Organizations of all types are in the midst of great change. Individuals within these organizations are being asked to change in order to thrive and survive, to change from individualism toward collaboration, from reaction to pro action, to release old paradigms and embrace new ones. If your organization is facing cultural and structural change, this is the seminar for you.
Coaching Universal Enhancement: In Place-Just In Time Training
Thomas Pomeranz, EdD., President, Universal LifeStiles, LLC
This inspiring and motivating session is designed for supervisors, managers, clinical staff and staff trainers who hold responsibility for the competence of Direct Support Professionals. Through role playing and story telling, learn the four coaching strategies that can serve to dramatically enhance the effectiveness of Direct Support Professionals. Understand how In Place-Just In Time Coaching allows supervisors to refine protocols, increase staff motivation and enhance the quality of work life for the staff and, most importantly, the quality of life of those individuals receiving services and supports. Particular emphasis will be made on how to motivate and coach staff who display oppositional behavior (members of the Underground). Learn how to create a collegial environment and infuse a team spirit.
Don't Squat With Your Spurs On: Humor in the Workplace
Bonnie Smith, RN, Owner, Humor Works!
Refocus on the creative energy and renewing power of humor. This session not only focuses on the importance of inviting humor into your personal and professional lives, but allows you to practice the presence of humor through the principles of "AT and T." This participatory experience will demonstrate how attitudes affect health, productivity, job satisfaction, teamwork and morale as well as the use benefits of humor on the human mind and body.
Rethinking Behaviors-A Passion for New Person-Centered Approaches to Care
Jane Kirby, Divisional Memory Care Specialist, Brookdale Senior Living
This session will include an overview of the trend toward the increased use of psychotropic medication within assisted living to address symptoms of dementia. Explore the need for Culture Change and a paradigm shift in approaches to the behavioral expressions displayed by elders with dementia. Learn person-centered approaches to services as well as ideas and tools that support this paradigm shift.
12:00pm-1:30pm
Spirit of Service Awards & Lunch
Gregory Bator, Attorney at Law, Bator Gwinn, PC & Robert Stein, Attorney at Law, Michigan Assisted Living Association
Honor the leaders and innovators among us. Learn some of the best practices in caregiving today. Take back to your workplace new ideas, tips and techniques that can improve quality of life and customer service.
1:30pm-3:00pm
The Magic is You!
Ken Wasco, Marketing Professional Development, Gordon Food Service
Discover your personal "magic" and how to tap into it as a source of motivation and inspiration.
Coaching Universal Enhancement: In Place-Just In Time Training
Thomas Pomeranz, EdD., President, Universal LifeStiles, LLC
This inspiring and motivating session is designed for supervisors, managers, clinical staff and staff trainers who hold responsibility for the competence of Direct Support Professionals. Through role playing and story telling, learn the four coaching strategies that can serve to dramatically enhance the effectiveness of Direct Support Professionals. Understand how In Place-Just In Time Coaching allows supervisors to refine protocols, increase staff motivation and enhance the quality of work life for the staff and, most importantly, the quality of life of those individuals receiving services and supports. Particular emphasis will be made on how to motivate and coach staff who display oppositional behavior (members of the Underground). Learn how to create a collegial environment and infuse a team spirit.
Don't Squat With Your Spurs On: Humor in the Workplace
Bonnie Smith, RN, Owner, Humor Works!
Refocus on the creative energy and renewing power of humor. This session not only focuses on the importance of inviting humor into your personal and professional lives, but allows you to practice the presence of humor through the principles of "AT and T." This participatory experience will demonstrate how attitudes affect health, productivity, job satisfaction, teamwork and morale as well as the use benefits of humor on the human mind and body.
Rethinking Behaviors-A Passion for New Person-Centered Approaches to Care
Jane Kirby, Divisional Memory Care Specialist, Brookdale Senior Living
This session will include an overview of the trend toward the increased use of psychotropic medication within assisted living to address symptoms of dementia. Explore the need for Culture Change and a paradigm shift in approaches to the behavioral expressions displayed by elders with dementia. Learn person-centered approaches to services as well as ideas and tools that support this paradigm shift.
3:00pm-3:30pm
Break3:30pm-5:00pm
Snoezelen: Purposeful Sensory Recreation, Compassionate Care for People
Carolyn Jackson, Snoezelen Consultant, Flaghouse, Inc.
Discover Snoezelen, a multisensory therapy room developed by Dutch therapists to reduce apathy and agitation by providing a space that appeals to all the senses. The Snoezelen experience provides a multi-sensory experience or single sensory focus, simply by adapting the lighting, atmosphere, sounds, and textures to the specific needs of the user. Snoezelen also has been used for those with dementia, intellectual or mental disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder, or even to boost relaxation and creativity among highly stressed corporate executives.
Spaced-Retrieval: A Method for Circumventing Cognitive Deficits and Attaining Goals
Cameron Camp, PhD., Director of Research and Development, Center for Applied Research and Development
Discover the basics of Spaced Retrieval, a cognitive rehabilitation technique in which persons with cognitive deficits get practice successfully remembering information over progressively longer intervals of time. This technique, based on abilities that are available to persons with cognitive deficits, allows new associations to be formed. This lets new information become part of long-term memory and enables clinically meaningful goals to be achieved. Learn how to screen for the likelihood of success in implementing this technique and how to create achievable goals for persons with cognitive deficits when using spaced retrieval.
Helping People Find Their Voices: Working With a Range of Communication Abilities
Lynn Sweeney, CCC-SLP, Certified Speech-Language Pathologist, Consultant, Graduate Faculty, Central Michigan University Department of Psychology
Understand the important features of different communication disorders and how to work with people with a range of communication abilities. Strategies suited for people with speaking and non-speaking communication challenges will be explored and brought to life with a discussion of sensory, interactive, behavioral, and technology-based options using a holistic approach. Learn how to apply basic assessment and intervention partnering principles in order to support listening, following directions, socialization and expressing wants and needs regardless of the individual's level of challenge. Information will be provided for appropriate additional support and cross-referral.
Person-Centered Training in a Person-Centered Way
Cean Eppelheimer, Training and Organizational Development Specialist for PHI Midwest; Todd Walter, MSW, Admissions and Marketing Manager, Durand Senior Care and Rehab Center; Wendi Middleton, Director, Program and Partnership Development Division, Michigan Office of Services to the Aging (OSA)
Engage in an adult-learner, person-centered training experience. Understanding and providing person-centered care is an expectation of today's assisted living resident. For providers to successfully create a person-centered culture, employee education and clear expectations must be provided and modeled by the leadership of the community. You will walk away from this session with an understanding of what Person-Centered Planning is as well as with many new learner-centered training techniques.
MDCH Update for Community Mental Health Providers
Lynda Zeller, Deputy Director, Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities Administration, Michigan Department of Community Health
The public mental health system is experiencing major changes which will impact providers. Learn about the latest developments on the Michigan Department of Community Health's plan to integrate care for persons who are dually eligible for Medicaid and Medicare. This course will also provide an overview of other Department priorities and a state budget update.
Residential Services: The MI Choice Waiver Program in Licensed Settings
Michael Daeschlein, State Administrative Manager, Home & Community-Based Services, Michigan Department of Community Health
Learn about the successes of the MI Choice Waiver program specific to licensed settings and explore the challenges that have been faced in the implementation of the program.
5:00pm-6:00pm
Exhibitor Raffle
6:45pm-8:45pm
Totally Accessible Yoga
Daniel Gwinn, Attorney at Law, Bator Gwinn, PC and RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) and Nancy McCaochan, E-RYT
Back by popular demand, it's TOTALLY ACCESSIBLE YOGA! Study after study has shown that workplace stress leads to health problems, increased absenteeism, loss of productivity, and job burnout. Yoga may be just what you need. Wear comfortable, loose clothing and bring a yoga mat or a large towel to this fun and beneficial class.
Yoga can reduce your stress, decrease your muscular tension, and increase your analytical ability. This class is suitable for any age, strength, weight, flexibility level, or physical limitation. Come as you are, you'll enjoy yourself!
Small Changes, BIG DIFFERENCES: Low Cost Assistive Technology that Supports Community Living
Aimee Sterk, MSW, Program Manager, Michigan Disability Rights Coalition
Learn how affordable, low-tech assistive technology (AT) can help people with disabilities, including older adults, maintain their independence in the community. In this dynamic, interactive session you will learn about the effectiveness of AT in helping people decrease nursing home and hospital stays. Try out dozens of low-cost AT devices for community living, discuss the AT that you have found useful, and brainstorm difficult situations.
"What Depression?" The Myths of the Great Depression and Present Myths of Aging
William Jamerson, Author, PBS Filmmaker, Historian, Songwriter, Owner of Pine Stump Publishing
Come hear speaker Bill Jamerson relate the story of the 1930's work program, The Civilian Conservation Corps, to help participants understand the myths of The Great Depression. It was the greatest economic calamity to strike the nation and left millions without work and income. Yet, in spite of the severe hardships, most children never realized they were living in an economic depression. Discover how it was an "altitude of thought" and not material possessions that helped children thrive in those troubled days. Learn how to foster this "altitude of thought" in yourself and others.
Dashboards-Visualizing What Your Performance Numbers Tell You
Joshua Townsend, Cloud Sales, and Timothy Barr, Director, Cloud Sales, iDashboards
Today there is a great need to provide technical information to non-technical decision makers to help drive well informed decisions. How does an organization establish Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and more importantly, how do they manage finances, resident care, compliance, productivity, or other important factors based on those KPIs' Decision makers need a common platform that is easy to understand and modify in order to drive better, faster decisions. Learn how dashboards provide that platform, and how they can take your organization from 0 to 60 with the click of a mouse.
Spiritually Centered Services
Jessica Selvidge, LPN, MT (ASCP), Hometown Pharmacy LTC
Learn what is meant by spiritually-centered services and how to bring it into daily practice for the benefit of residents and all the people you hold dear. You will leave this session with new tools to help you provide a holistic model of well-being that includes a spiritual element.
Wednesday, May 9
8:30am-10:00am
HIPAA: New Requirements, Increased Enforcement, Much Larger Penalties
John Gilliland II, Attorney at Law, The Gilliland Law Firm, Inc.
Learn about the many new requirements that exist for HIPAA compliance as a result of the HITECH Act and its new regulations. Both federal and state governments have increased enforcement greatly, and penalties for violations are much greater than before. This program will provide an overview of those changes and what must be done now to be in compliance.
Snoezelen: Purposeful Sensory Recreation, Compassionate Care for People
Carolyn Jackson, Snoezelen Consultant, Flaghouse, Inc.
Discover Snoezelen, a multisensory therapy room developed by Dutch therapists to reduce apathy and agitation by providing a space that appeals to all the senses. The Snoezelen experience provides a multi-sensory experience or single sensory focus, simply by adapting the lighting, atmosphere, sounds, and textures to the specific needs of the user. Snoezelen also has been used for those with dementia, intellectual or mental disabilities, post-traumatic stress disorder, or even to boost relaxation and creativity among highly stressed corporate executives.
Designing Effective Interventions: Lessons Learned from Montessori and Neuroscience
Cameron Camp, PhD, Director of Research and Development, Center for Applied Research in Dementia
Discover the basic principles of Montessori-Based Dementia Programming® (MBDP), an innovative method of working with persons living with cognitive and/or physical impairments, based on the method and philosophy of famed educator Maria Montessori. MBDP has been researched for over 20 years by Dr. Cameron Camp and his staff. It has been shown to increase levels of engagement and participation in activities of persons with cognitive impairment. Learn how to adapt this programming to fit the needs of your clients and facility.
Understanding Dementia-Related Behaviors; Decreasing Use of Antipsychotic and Benzodiazepine Medications
Karen Briskie, RN, MSN, National Director of Behavioral Health, The Medical Team, Inc.
Non-pharmacological interventions are quickly becoming the preferred alternatives to managing dementia related behaviors. Although these behaviors lack intentionality on behalf of the older adult, they are challenging to manage and often a source of frustration for family members and caregivers. Until recently, pharmacological interventions have been the most popular form of behavior management. Examine the current role that benzodiazepines and antipsychotic medications play in management behavior treatment and discover alternative interventions.
Rules with a Purpose-Fire Safety for Licensed Adult Foster Care Homes
Brian Byelich, Building Construction Project Superintendant, Plan Review, Bureau of Fire Services, Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Life safety is a function of the occupancy, construction, and fire protection systems of a particular structure. This presentation will teach you a general life safety philosophy which can be applied to licensed AFC homes. Learn how and why the requirements of the Bureau of Fire Services apply and also how to prevent elopements through the use of "special locking."
Caregiving as a Career Choice: Recruiting and Hiring Long-Term Employees
Lisa Korotkin Rothberger, Director of Human Resources, and Paul Mattson, LBSW, Program Services Coordinator, JARC
Learn how to identify and recruit employees who are interested in the caregiving profession as a career option and not simply as a way to earn a paycheck "until something better comes along."
10:00am-10:30am
Break
10:30am-12:30pm
AFC/HFA Licensing Update
James Gale, Director, Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing and Luttrell D. Levingston, Division Director, Adult Foster Care/Home for the Aged Licensing, BCAL
Bureau of Children and Adult Licensing will provide a regulatory update for adult foster care and home for the aged providers. The AFC/HFA Division Director and the Bureau Director will bring attendees up-to-date with any pending legislation including the proposed fire safety rules for adult foster care homes.
She Who Retaliates...Is Lost: Avoiding and Defending Against Discrimination and Retaliation Claims
Daniel A. Gwinn, Attorney at Law, and Christian A. Lobb, Attorney at Law, Bator Gwinn, PC
Even where an underlying discrimination claim is weak or nonexistent, providers may find themselves defending against a strong retaliation claim. Today, approximately forty percent of employment discrimination claims also include allegations of retaliation. This seminar focuses on the strategies providers need to prevail on both claims and to correctly identify where retaliation claims arise.
People Are My Passion, Podiatry is My Game-Wound Care, Too!
Mary Barna, DPM, MSW, Mary E. Barna DPM & Associates
Experience a fun-filled two hours of facts, photos and a few statistics. Attendees will leave with a new appreciation for their feet as well as their podiatrists and wound care specialists. Learn how to identify common podiatric, lower leg problems as well as arterial and diabetic issues.
Caring & Passion to Improve Your Safety Culture
Ken Smylie, Senior Loss Prevention Consultant, Citizens Management, Inc.
Learn about the main component of a safety culture: identifying and eliminating unsafe acts and conditions. We will define an accident, reveal the hidden cost of accidents, discuss near-miss incidents, and address housekeeping practices. Identify people-related causes of accidents, personal risk behaviors, mental overload/preoccupation, and workplace complacency.
Developing Meaningful Connections with People with Dementia: A Training Manual
Chris Curtin, Certified Gerontological Nurse, Chris Curtin Associates, LLC
Come and receive a copy of Developing Meaningful Connections with Persons with Dementia: A training program. This manual comes with a CD of handouts and a DVD with video vignettes of persons with dementia. You will also hear a review of dementia competencies and the chapters of the manual that address each competency.
12:30pm-1:30pm
Lunch on your own in Hall C
1:30pm-3:00pm
Adult Protective Services; Protecting People
Linda Henderson, Developer/Trainer, Adult Services, Michigan Department of Human Services
Come and understand the Adult Protective Services statute and how it applies to staff and owners of licensed and unlicensed adult facilities. The topics this workshop will present will include purpose, definitions, mandatory reporters and how to report.
Hot Topics in Employment Law: Social Media, Medical Marijuana, NLRB and More
Sheryl Laughren, Attorney at Law, Berry Moorman PC
Lessons Learned: Is it Dementia or Something Else?
William Skillman, Clinical Psychologist, M.A., Limited License Psychologist, Northern Lakes Community Mental Health
Listen to this speaker's fascinating account of working with adults with Down Syndrome. More adults with Down Syndrome are alive today than at any other time in history because medical advances, early intervention, education and community inclusion, and strong advocacy have all combined to extend the quality of living for this population. By the age of 40, adults with Down Syndrome start to develop signs of advanced aging and associated medical, psychiatric and social issues. Hear about the "Lessons Learned" from this psychologist's experience working with these remarkable people.
Creating a Culture of Gentleness for Our Caregivers
Dierdre Mercer, LBSW, Senior Training Consultant, Michigan Center for Positive Living Supports
The single-most influential people in the lives of folks who need support are their caregivers. Caregivers may be family, friends, or paid supporters. We must find a way to uplift and support caregivers as they assist individuals to live rich and connected lives. Discover how to create an environment where caregivers feel uplifted and can therefore support people with purpose and passion.
MSHDA's Statewide Senior Housing Survey
Laurie Cummings, Market Specialist & Research Analyst, Michigan State Housing Development Authority
Discover what MSHDA has learned about the housing needs and preferences of seniors for multifamily housing through an overview of the MSHDA Senior Housing Survey and its findings. The presenter will also provide selected information from the larger study of which the survey is a part.